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Kenny Vormbrock Brain Injury Story

May 20, 2015

Name: Kenny Vormbrock
Age: 40
Age at time of injury: 35
Date of Injury: June 10, 2010
My brain injury was Traumatic
My brain injury was Severe

Life before brain injury

  • I was working part time at Wendy’s in customer service
  • I went to YMCA 4-5 times a week to work out, and I was eating healthy
  • I was living on own in an apartment
  • I was visually impaired before the injury because I was born with Coloboma of the iris; I was very nearsighted
  • I used public transportation because my visual impairment kept me from driving
How I sustained my brain injury
On June 10, 2010 around 2:00pm to 3:00pm I was leaving work and walking across the parking lot toward the bus stop to catch the bus to go to the gym. While walking across the parking lot, a lady in a Chevy Silverado struck me on the right side of my body and I landed on my head and was knocked unconscious. I was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital . While there, I had two surgeries, one on my brain and one on my right leg. I woke up a couple of days later, and all of my sight was gone, I felt a bandage on my head, and I had a feeding tube. I also suffered mild hearing loss in my left ear. My mom was the first person I heard, and she explained the accident to me. I could not talk because I was in shock. I was very confused

My Recovery Path:
  • While in the hospital, I transferred to Frazier Rehab inpatientI received PT, OT, Counseling, and Speech Therapy for the month that I was there
  • In PT: I concentrated on exercising and strengthening my right leg that was struck by the truck. I was using a wheelchair and graduated to a walker before I left Frazier inpatient
  • In OT: I concentrated on Activities of Daily living such as dressing, grooming and toileting. I still use a trick my OT taught me today since losing my sight: I squirt toothpaste into my mouth then brush my teeth to avoid missing the toothbrush
  • In Speech therapy: I concentrated on short term memory skills and feeling objects to memorize their feeling and identify them
  • In counseling: we focused on my mood and family education dealing with my feelings about my injury
My family came to visit me daily. I drank most of my meals as a shake through a straw because of an abscess tooth. After one month, I discharged from Frazier Inpatient and moved in with my parents. Because my injury happened at work, Workman’s Comp. covered my therapies and services. They even built a wheelchair ramp at my parents’ house.

I started outpatient therapies (PT, OT, counseling, and Speech) at Frazier NeuroRehab Program twice per week for about two months. I graduated to a cane. I left Frazier to do aqua therapy in a saltwater pool to further strengthen my left leg, which I really enjoyed for 1-2 months. I then completed more physical therapy at Baptist East Milestones program. Workman’s comp. even paid for an elliptical  for me to use at home.

9/2011 Guide Dog: While at Frazier outpatient, I met a woman who had a guide dog. After I completed physical therapy at Milestones, I decided to pursue getting a guide dog. I called Guiding Eyes in New York and had a phone interview. Looking back, it was way too early in my recovery to go to New York for this. But at the time, I wanted to go, so I went. This was in September 2011. While in New York, I spent one week meeting everyone and training with my dog. After one week, I was asked to leave because they did not feel I was progressing because of my brain injury deficits (memory, sleep deficits, etc.). I was very disappointed, so I spent a few days at my sister’s house so she could lift my spirits.
  • 10/2011 McDowell Center: Training school for the blind and visually impaired
  • Lived in dorm for 3 months and received training for orientation and mobility, home and finance management, typing, and Braille
  • 1/2012 Moved into my own patio home to live independently- my brother helped me find it because he’s a real-estate agent
  • 4/2012 Leg surgery to remove steel plate because it was really bothering me
  • 6/2012 graduated from McDowell Center: had mastered grade 1 Braille, and my home and finance management instructor had worked with me in my home
  • Vocational Rehab- worked part time in a warehouse for a few months. I didn’t feel like I was being treated as an adult, so I left. 
  • 1/2013 I began a program called NeuroRestorative for adults with acquired brain injuries. I began receiving OT, Speech, and Counseling therapies. 
  • I am still a part of this program.
  • OT: Working on getting a part-time job, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, exercise
  • Speech: Grade 2 Braille, memory, social skills, auditory comprehension
  • Counseling: Brain Injury Support Group, exercise as a coping mechanism
What challenges do you face on a consistent basis as a result of your brain injury?
  •  Becoming frustrated easily
  • Lost what little vision I did have- adapting to not having sight
  • Asking for help when I want to be independent
Describe any significant road blocks you may have experienced in your recovery
  • Not being able to obtain a guide dog
  •  Graduating from McDowell Center before learning grade 2 Braille
  • Second leg surgery that took me out of my orientation and mobility class
  • Learning how to cook again
What therapy, treatment or strategy did you find most helpful?
  • Deep breathing to reduce frustration
  • Getting an iPhone and learning how to operate it with voiceover. I use it for my calendar, phone, email, and entertainment
What was it like finding support after being released from the hospital or physician? What role has support played in your recovery?
  • I had great support from my family. If it weren’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be. They used tough love to help me recover
  • Now I attend Headliners support group for adults with brain injury. I appreciate the intimacy and smallness of the group and it’s nice to hear that I’m not alone. I also appreciate the confidentiality
  • At what moment did you realize you had changed forever? Was there a situation or event that stands out as a pivotal moment that heightened your brain injury awareness?
  • The day I woke up from my coma. I realized that I was blind and that my life had changed forever.
What are the main strategies you use to surmount challenges to live life as a brain injury survivor today?
Going to support groups, taking time out to meditate and breathe deeply to reduce frustration. I also pray a lot.

What are your next steps on your path towards your new normal?
Find and obtain a job, finish learning grade 2 Braille well enough to read a braille menu.

Please list 10 things that you found helpful in your recovery journey.

1. Family
2. Support Group
3. Deep breathing
4. Praying
5. My iPhone
6. Toothpaste Trick
7. Braille for labeling things in my home
8. Exercise
9. Eating healthy
10. Church 

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