With all the attention that brain injuries have received in the press in the past couple of years, most of us are aware of common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, even if we have never experienced one ourselves. Dizziness, sensitivity to light, memory problems, nausea, confusion: these are the sorts of debilitating symptoms the average person associates with TBI.
However, there are more rare effects of brain injury that nevertheless affect a significant number of people, both in Missouri and around the country. They are often quite disabling, possibly forcing the person with the condition to quit working, at least until they can recover.
One such uncommon but potentially devastating side effect of a brain injury is aphasia. Aphasia is a neurological condition that impairs your ability to communicate. It can affect the patient’s speech, comprehension of others’ speech, and the ability to read or write.
Imagine not being able to have a conversation, or write down your thoughts. Besides probably being very distressing, this would make most jobs virtually impossible to perform.
Stroke is the most common cause of aphasia, and strokes happen most often to older, possibly retired people. However, aphasia can also occur after a TBI, from a brain tumor or an infection.
After a brain injury or neurological disease, it may be necessary to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, to help make up for lost income. However, the Social Security Administration rejects most initial SSD applications. Applicants have the right to appeal, but they might need the help of an attorney to boost their chances of overturning the rejection.
