Trying to gather the words to effectively
describe
her
memory
loss
Elizabeth
reminded that we had already done that. It’s scary and frustrating trying to desperately
grasp onto something – any of those things that make you… you.”
explains, “It’s a mixture of feelings –
Pausing a moment, she gathers her thoughts before proceeding, “If you took everything
confusion, emptiness – a feeling of not
that makes you who you are, like your emotions - happiness, interests, love, laughter,
knowing. Even your taste, not just what you
tastes, taste buds, hobbies… everything. It’s like all of those things were just dumped out.
do and do not like, but physically your taste
As if it was all being dumped out of a bucket. I would look in a mirror and see my face, but
buds change.” I could hear in her voice
I couldn’t identify with the person in the mirror. I was in there, but I wasn’t. I was a shell of
both wonder and fear for the physical
a body with no substance.”
changes and complexity of her
Elizabeth was unable to work due to her injuries and loss of memory, so Bobby stepped
situation. She continues, “For
up and took over. In addition to caring and doting on Elizabeth, Bobby went to school,
example, I would say,
worked two jobs, took care of his kids, paid the bills, did the laundry and became her hero.
‘Oh we should take
“You truly do find out who your true friends are when you are faced with something like
the kids to see
that movie.’
this,” Elizabeth confirms. “Bobby was by my side the entire time. “
Bobby describes the affect the accident has had on their relationship, “After the accident,
to
Elizabeth had suffered physical and mental damages that changed her completely. She
b e
just
had everything from spinal injury to brain trauma and could not function as she normally
would. She went through m