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THE GUARDIAN
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DECEMBER 2023
RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGES OF BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS — MY PA’S STORY
When I was just two weeks old, my great-great-aunt and uncle took me in and raised me as their own son. Since they raised me, I called my great-great-aunt and uncle my “Ma” and “Pa” because, to me, that’s what they were. Now, as you may be able to infer by the “great-great,” they were already older when they took me in; by the time I was in my 20s, they were in their 80s. However, age didn’t stop my Pa in the slightest. He was an incredibly active man who walked at least a mile every day, did his own home projects, drove around town, and hardly ever stopped moving. But one day, when my Pa was 83, he suddenly suffered a brain hemorrhage. Pa’s hemorrhage was massive, and he had to be life-flighted from Norwalk, Ohio, to Cleveland, where he was hospitalized. He spent a few weeks in the ICU before going through significant amounts of rehab to re-learn how to walk, talk, and function in his daily life with the new deficits his brain injury had caused. From that point on, life for Pa — and our family — was different. In the first few years after his brain hemorrhage, we quickly noticed that the injury had caused symptoms and impairments very similar to those in dementia patients. Pa would often become confused, and that confusion would turn into frustration. If you know someone who has or had dementia, you may have heard of something called “sundowners,” which is when an elderly person becomes confused in the late afternoon or even into the night. I remember many nights when I had to drive from Cleveland back to Norwalk just to help Ma get Pa into bed because he refused, arguing that he wanted to go home — even though he was home already. After his injury, the relationship we all had with Pa changed. His immediate family members, including me, had to transition from the role of contemporaries to caregivers, which was an extremely difficult transition to make, considering that Pa had been a caregiver for us all. In fact, just two months before his hemorrhage, he had installed a new roof on his home all by himself. Now, he needed assistance doing nearly every task. Pa ended up living for seven more years after his brain injury and passed at the age of 90. I’ll be honest: The last few years of his life were tough — both for him and his family. But I would not change that for the world as our bond strengthened. Some of my favorite memories come from the funny comments he would make during this time (especially since he could barely
hear, so you would have no idea what he was responding to). However, my experience with Pa taught me a lot about brain injuries and how they can completely alter people’s lives. It taught me that a brain injury, no matter the cause or type, can take someone who is 100% active, healthy, and “normal” and instantly put them in a position where they require round-the-clock care or assistance doing the tasks that many people don’t even think twice about. And what can make brain injuries even more complex is a large portion of people who have brain injuries don’t look impaired at all, like my Pa. They don’t have visible head wounds or scarring; they look fine, but they’re not. So, as the holidays approach, it’s important to be mindful of family members who may have suffered a brain injury of some kind, whether that was a stroke, an accident, blunt force trauma, or some other cause. Remember that they’re still the same person you’ve always known and loved, but may just require a little extra help.
And, if you’re the caregiver of someone who has suffered a brain injury, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Hanson House, a traumatic brain injury clubhouse,
has a caregiver support group that meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the United Methodist Church Berea. To sign up, call 440-234-9900 or email tbidirector@aol.com .
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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO WINTER- READY DRIVING IN CLEVELAND
It’s a beautiful sight to watch the snow blanket Cleveland, but with this chilly weather comes the threat of slick, icy roads. To avoid sliding off the road and getting stranded or getting into an accident with another vehicle, follow these steps! CREATE AN EMERGENCY WINTER SURVIVAL KIT. If you find yourself stuck somewhere or otherwise unable to get your car back on the road, you can use an emergency pack to keep yourself safe. Your kit should include:
steps are to slow down, maintain a safe distance, and resist the urge to rush. Practice gentle braking to avoid skids, and if you find yourself sliding, confidently steer in the desired direction. Ensure your headlights are on for visibility, but keep your hazard lights off, as they can be confusing to fellow drivers. GET YOUR CAR WINTER-READY. Cars that drive smoothly in summer and fall may not be ready for winter, so it’s important to perform regular maintenance on your vehicle before it gets snowy and cold. Routine checks include tire inflation and pressure, brake pads and brake responsiveness, and fluid levels. You should also top off your gas when possible and maintain a full tank in the event you need to stay in your vehicle for an extended period. These meticulous checks ensure your vehicle transforms into a winter-ready ally, helping lead to a secure and smooth journey. Stay warm and stay safe so you can make it to every holiday party and family gathering this season!
• • • • • •
A warm, insulated blanket A fully stocked first-aid kit Energy-boosting, filling snacks
An ice scraper Snow chains
Spare full gas can
PRACTICE SAFE DRIVING. Driving in inclement weather is vastly different than normal conditions, so it’s imperative to drive as safely as you can. The most important
C hristmas is built on tradition. Many families celebrate the holiday by waking up bright and early to open presents, attending church, having a delicious meal, and closing the day with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf,” or another
with Christmas pajamas, mugs, books, movies, and other small gifts you know your family or friends will love. Refill the box with different versions of these items every year.
You can also do this with your friends in place of a Secret Santa gift exchange. Set a budget and draw names to determine whom each person will give their box to. From there, you go to local
Christmas classic. Some families have been doing this for so long that they’re starting to look for new traditions to throw in the mix to spice up the season a little more. There are plenty of ways to change your holiday traditions without losing the meaning of the season! You could go caroling or try out a white elephant gift exchange with the entire family. If you’re looking for something unique, try one of the following activities this year. The Christmas Box One of the most exciting parts of Christmas is when everyone gathers
garage sales, dollar stores, and thrift shops to fill the box with things the person will like. A Reminder of Past Christmases Do you buy a real tree every Christmas? Most of us bring our old trees out to the curb when the holiday passes. Before you do so, cut off the very bottom of the tree trunk. Write the date on it and include any extra information you want, such as a child’s or pet’s first Christmas. After a few years, you’ll have a collection of tree trunk rounds that help you reminisce about one of the happiest days of the year and all the
Start a New Tradition This Christmas THINK OUTSIDE THE GIFT BOX
to open gifts. The Christmas box gives you an opportunity to create a new tradition around gift-giving. Fill a medium- or large-size gift box with smaller items you like to give each year. You can stuff it
memories you made.
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TAKE A BREAK
DON’T MISS THE SIGNS Learn About TBI Symptoms With Our Free Checklist On Page 1 of this newsletter, Allen shared his Pa’s story of his brain injury and how that affected not only his life but also Allen’s and the rest of his family’s lives. In Pa’s case, his brain injury was due to a massive hemorrhage on one side of his brain, but at Tittle & Perlmuter, we see clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to a wide range of reasons, such as falls, car accidents, medical malpractice, and more.
CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS
MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PARKA REINDEER
SLEIGH SNOWMAN WREATH YULETIDE
GIFTS IGLOO
HOMEMADE EGGNOG
Sometimes, though, after an accident or occurrence of medical malpractice, the victim may not even know they have a TBI. This is because TBIs don’t always involve gaping wounds or bruises or otherwise have a visual indicator. What’s more, victims may not recognize the symptoms of a TBI, even if they’re clearly displaying them. This prevents them from receiving the necessary help they need, as they brush the symptoms off as something else. To make matters worse, even if a victim complains of head pain after an accident or medical malpractice, TBIs may not show up on typical imaging. That’s why it’s so important that everyone is informed of the most common TBI symptoms so they can describe to a doctor or other health care professional exactly what they’re going through. This way, the provider can do the proper testing needed to examine and treat a traumatic brain injury. Also, when people know what symptoms to look for, they’re much more likely to seek help from these medical professionals in the first place. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we’re passionate about giving people the tools they need to advocate for themselves, which is why we’ve created a TBI Symptom Checklist anyone can download for free. This checklist explains the most common TBI
Inspired by AheadOfThyme.com
Better than store-bought, this flavorful homemade eggnog is perfect for the whole family this holiday season!
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
3 cups whole milk 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• •
2 cups heavy cream 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 eggs, room temperature 4 egg yolks, room temperature
For topping •
Whipped cream Ground cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar
• •
1/4 tsp salt
Extra nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and vanilla, swirling occasionally until it starts to steam. 2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture is thickened. Slowly add milk and whisk to combine. 3. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring for about 6 minutes. 4. In another large mixing bowl, place heavy cream and nutmeg. Strain egg mixture into the cream and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When chilled, fill a glass with eggnog and top with whipped cream, cinnamon, and extra nutmeg!
symptoms and what someone should be on the lookout for after experiencing an accident or medical malpractice. You can download this FREE checklist by scanning the QR code on this page or visiting TittleLawFirm.com/Ohio-Brain- Injury-Symptoms .
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INSIDE
1. Walking the Path of Brain Injury with My Pa 2. Navigate Cleveland’s Icy Roads Like a Pro Fresh Traditions to Make Your Holiday Sparkle 3. How to Download Your Own FREE TBI Symptom Checklist Homemade Eggnog 4. Allen’s Presentation at the Ohio Association for Justice’s Winter Convention
LESSONS FROM A LANDMARK VERDICT Last month, I had the honor of presenting at the Ohio Association for Justice’s Winter Convention about the lessons I learned from the verdict of one of my recent cases at the time.
In all honesty, it’s always tough for me to present to a room of other great trial lawyers. I worry about providing enough value to the room because everyone there is incredible at what they do. What can I bring to the table when everyone is already fantastic? So, instead of preaching to a bunch of lawyers about the right way or wrong way to do things, I try to give real, concrete examples of the points I’m trying to make. In the case of the Winter Convention, I was even able to play actual trial snippets from the case I was talking about since the court recorded it! Then, the lawyers I was presenting to can figure out the best way to implement the lessons I learned at trial using their own style. After all, the key to trying cases is being your own unique self. I believe that those who give gain the most in return, and for me, my goal is to provide other lawyers with new ideas, tools, or resources to serve their clients better. I’m honored to have been chosen to speak at this event and meet so many other amazing Ohio attorneys!
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