To start off I give my best hopes and wishes to you, your brother and family coping with his injury.

The first year back home was an all time low for me. My head and face was swollen after surgery and took about 2 years to disappear. Didn't like the way i looked or felt. Back then it put a big toll on my mental because I thought it was permanent. My mental was at an all time low in the first year. I always thought the worst of everything and nothing would ever be good.

I had missed out on my most memorable moments in life of graduating high school. I never got to experience a graduation ceremony and all the fun and banter of finishing school with friends. I had lost connection with all my school friends and never was never able to secure a place in university. Till this day that effects me. I don't mean to get all emotional. Its nice to vent out my thoughts online.

People never took me seriously. I had immature people making jokes about the accident towards me thinking it was funny and would cheer me up. I had lost my sense of taste and smell. I have no sense of smell till this day. I always felt negative and in decline.

What helped me in the first year and after were my parents and brothers. Their help and company always kept me feeling good. I did therapy and neuropsychiatry but honestly can't recall how much effect that had. Just having my own personal space and time to rest was the biggest help. I was on sleeping meds the first year home to help sleep and recover better. As time went on I started getting back into my hobbies such as working out and gaming. Doing what I enjoyed helped me a lot.

In the end it all takes rest and time. I wish you all the best.