me, the modern-day monster

[anamacha]

I am really lucky.

I just read an article in Wired about experimental medical techniques, using electricity to get coma patients out of their vegetative state. It hit me really hard, because as you may know, I am a head trauma survivor myself

Comments

[nursechrissy]

The thought that comes to mind is that sometimes things come across our path to make us see how lucky we really are at times. But, at the same time, when you think about daily frustrations or problems with depression, etc, you end up feeling bad that you're not happier at your luck. I don't know if that makes sense

[anamacha]

that's sort of what I was getting at, I think. I reckon it's hard to be grateful for somethignt hat you should be ABLE to take for granted.

[nursechrissy]

But you and I know that nothing really should be taken for granted. That's what makes it so hard.

[anamacha]

wel, no. you're right. That's why I said things that SHOULD be able to be taken for granted: walking. feeding yourself. breathing.

I know how fragile life is, as do you. Noone should have to consciously think about those things. My heart goes out to those that do.

[_rck_]

I just learned this last night: Identity formation and Identity negotiation. The wikipedia articles on this are pretty sucky, but they are a start.

[anamacha]

interesting. can you sum up?

something like the following ...

[_rck_]

As an individual, you participate in multiple social systems: you are a legal agent in the social system "law", you are a buyer or seller in the social system "economy", you are a voter or representative in the social system "politics

Re: something like the following ...

[anamacha]

that helps in the context of telling me what identity formation and negotiation are, but I don't really see the connection to what I posted. Maybe it's just too obtuse for me at the moment; maybe I might get it later.

Are you suggesting, perhaps, that my feelings of not-normalness are precipitated by the presumed fact that I have not yet successfully undergone the process of identity formation and negotiation with the social structures in which I move?

[anamacha]

huh, I never knew. what resuidual effects do you have?

[anamacha]

naughty boy. why han't you been taking your head med?

I look pretty normal to the casual observer, too -- just the scars and dents on my head would give anything away, and those are usually covered by my hair.

Right after the accident, though:
- aforementioned coma
- anger management problems
- BAD memory problems
- inhibition prpblems -- lack of them
- couldn't use legs or right arm