City:  Springfield

Brain Injury: Client was 8 years old, suffered a stroke and fell hitting her head.

Explanation of Mask: This mask is an explanation of how I first perceived a client of mine who suffered a stroke at 8 years old and fell hitting her head hard. When I met this child, she was 16. She states she was in the hospital for about three months sleeping she thought. Mom states she had been in a coma. Client reported she thought she was dead. Client has a very noticeable limp when she walks because one leg is not as developed as the other. One of her arms stays somewhat bent and her hand does not always open. Client suffered post traumatic stress because her parents did not believe she really had a stroke at first. Then when she came home her parents accused her of pretending to not be able to get what they meant and not being able to move her arm or open her hand. She is happier now but the PTSD could have been avoided if her parent had known about the effects of brain injury.