Overcoming Traumatic Brain Injury
Three years ago, 24-year-old Adam Bullough was riding a bicycle down a gentle slope when he suddenly flew over the handle bars and fell, crushing the back of his head. The result was every parent’s worst nightmare–traumatic brain injury.
Adam had been a phenomenal athlete, a fine musician, and a self-assured, outgoing and fearless individual. “All of these things changed,” said Dr. Bullough, a professor of teacher education and associate director for teacher education research in the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling. “The whole back of his head was crushed. We were told he would likely suffer severe cognitive damage and be unable to walk, see or communicate.”
For weeks Adam was in a coma. With such devastating possibilities, family, friends, and LDS church members living across the country fasted for him. “Things started happening then that were astonishing,” said Dr. Bullough. “He turned a corner in such a short period of time.”
In a new book titled Adam’s Fall, Traumatic Brain Injury, the First 365 Days, Dr. Bullough describes his family’s struggle with severe head injury and Adam’s journey to restored health. The book is mainly comprised of journal entries and letters written by Dr. Bullough, supplemented with explanations of medical terms and situations related to his son’s condition.
Dr. Bullough’s main reason for keeping a record of the recovery process was to provide understanding and hope. “When somebody’s in a coma, they don’t have a clue what’s going on,” he said. “After such severe injury, Adam had to learn to become himself again. I wanted my son to understand what had happened so he could work through the difficulty and the anger.”
"This experience was hard and in many ways terrible,” Dr. Bullough said. “But a lot of good things also happened. Our family is closer than it used to be. I think we're a little kinder. I think we're a little more patient."
The book is dedicated to the hospital nurses, doctors and therapists who tirelessly cared for Adam as he endured more than ten significant surgeries. “The people we worked with were just astonishing,” Dr. Bullough said. “They worked their hearts out for Adam.” Remembering a particularly remarkable example, Dr. Bullough described how a hospital nurse helped Adam remember how to play the guitar by working his left hand in chord patterns. “He didn’t need to do that, but he did,” Dr. Bullough said.
Today, Adam is still in the recovery process, but he is becoming himself again. “His body isn’t the same, but he is functioning well cognitively, still bilingual, still able to compose music, and still smart,” Dr. Bullough said. “He just looks a little different.”
As they have worked to endure such a great challenge, the life-changing dynamics of Adam’s injury has changed the entire family forever. “This experience was hard and in many ways terrible,” Dr. Bullough said. “But a lot of good things also happened. Our family is closer than it used to be. I think we’re a little kinder. I think we’re a little more patient.”
4 July 2011
Very interested in your story about your son who sustained a TBI. My son also was in a car accident and received a TBI. He is now attending UVU and doing well. It was difficult to go through for hima and us but it taught us many things. We are grateful for his remarkable recovery.
This is a remarkable story. Many people suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) in their own ways, but it is so neat to hear different individuals inspirational stories. Talking to and getting support from other TBI victims and their family members can be valuable in the healing process. BYU has its own TBI support group through the Communication Disorders department in the Taylor Building. I would encourage any who are interested to check it out.
My daughter suffered a traumatic head injury and was not expected to live. Once they knew she would live I was told she would never come out of the coma and should be placed in a long term faciliy. She was flown from Salt Lake to California and was put in the Casa Colina head injury section They also did wonders and today she is married and living a full life. She still has physical disabilities but she doesn’t let that stop her. My prayers are with the family as they persevere through this situation.
My son fell from a ladder and hit his head on the cement patio when he was three year old. He was asleep for 12 hours. We could rouse him every hour but just for a minute at a time After that 12 hours he woke and asked for food and appeared fine. While he was on his mission he was riding on a tool box in the back of a truck. some prankster missionaries were playing around and tried to sway the truck so as to throw him out. They were successful and he hit his head on a man hole cover. He was unconscious for a time. He is now forty years old and doesn’t appear to have any troubles, but we are looking into a rotating bed offered by : http://www.advanced Health Clinic. net located in Farmington. Calvin Young in Mapelton was on a recent radio talk show where he talked about a vortex rotating chair he had invented which runs with magnetic power. I think he called it voycall http://www.waypoint access.com .Can you tell me anything about these treatments?
Norma Whitlock (801. 756-3778) I have no web sight. My e-mail is above
Dear Adam and Bullough Family,
OUr family went through much the same trauma when my 11 year old son was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle. The Doctors, Nurses and the hospital and LDS Church members in College Station, Texas and our Community and My family were all in one accord in action and prayer for my son Chip’s recovery. Reading about Adams strength and Dr. Bullough’s dedication to the recovery of Adam and others who have struggled through TBI has helped me remember the good things that happened and the miracle of my sons recovery and the happiness he brings to my life. Life is good and worth the efforts we make to recover. You have blessed us with your account of Adam’s great example and the strength and value of families that overcome so much.
Sincerely,
Linda Middleton
I wish all friends and family all the best.
It is amazing how quickly, within seconds a person and a family’s life could be changed forever. It’s not always easy to recover from TBI and the victims can use all the support possible. I am glad to learn that Adam recovered well and gained himself back. That is the most important thing. Thank you for sharing your story.
Although research is going on all the time about Traumatic Brain Injury, recovery is not completely known. Hope is the biggest thing our family and friends can use. We shouldn’t easily give up even thought the process of healing is slow and painful. Thanks for the great story.
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