Jeannine Logue’s Healing Fund

Jeannine Stietzel Logue posted this on
Facebook a while back.  It was so brave
of her to write this and her closest family 
and friends know this wasn’t an easy
task...

”3 months ago today, a man driving behind me fell asleep and drove into me still at speed, while I was stopped at a traffic light behind a construction truck and trailer. You can imagine how my truck ended up but for me, I guess you could say I escaped with the best case scenario considering?!? .. some serious whiplash and a TBI (traumatic brain injury).

A TBI is extremely confusing, frustrating and scary. Because your head is messed up, you are actually unable to comprehend why (even though the therapist explained it to you 500 times) you can't do even the simple things that you did before. Your life becomes one giant sticky note because you can't remember a thing on your own now. Everything takes so much effort (even a conversation or writing a FB post - it has taken days to organize these thoughts). When you go out in public you feel the need to preface strangers with "I have a head injury" so they don't tilt their head (like your dog does) when you start to stutter, or ask them if they can talk slower or to repeat the question (for the 3rd time). It is an "invisible injury". One that no doctor can give you an estimated date of recovery for or guarantee a full recovery from.

I have an amazing team of therapists that I see 5-6 times a week helping me regain memory, speech, comprehension, and hopefully confidence, comfort and quality of life. This is my new full time job. After dwelling on "Why did this happen to me?" for a while and realizing there would be no answer, I changed it to "What can I learn from this?"

Please practice with me these 3 invaluable lessons that I've learned from this..

1) PRACTICE SELF CARE - These are extraordinarily tough and uncomfortable times for us all. We have ALL had to make uninvited adjustments to our lives, had sleepless nights, and been pushed out of our comfort zones. If this man hadn't fallen asleep at the wheel, my life wouldn't be the mess that it currently is. The best thing we can do to keep our loved ones and those around us safe is to take care of ourselves. Eat well. Wash your hands. Rest when you need to.

2) BE KIND TO & PATIENT WITH OTHERS - On top of this pandemic, some may be dealing with things that you can't see.. an "invisible" injury or condition. The person next to you could also be battling cancer, lyme, ptsd, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, addiction, depression, hunger, anxiety or a thousand other things like a TBI. So please be patient and kind to others.

3) PRACTICE GRATITUDE - In the wake of this accident there are days where it's hard to keep my chin up or keep faith that I will ever return to the quality of life I had before. I look at myself before this accident and I know I still have a long way to go BUT I can find gratitude in how far I've come AND for everyone whose has helped us over the past few months! Thank you to everyone who brought a meal by, came for a visit, took me for a walk, offered a ride to the doctor, offered their support or services, checked in, sent a text, card, flowers, or a care package. It all helped, thank you! I am grateful, thankful, blessed to have you in my life!! I am especially grateful for my amazing husband who has shown tremendous patience and has taken on more than a fair share during my recovery.

I share my story to make peace with it and in hopes to breathe some kind of purpose into it through the lessons. Be safe and kind out there everyone! ”

Now, she is having to step forward and heal. Let’s help and support her through this time.

With love, gratitude, and holiday
blessings,
Supporters of Jeannine Stietzel Logue.