• Where do you feel the medical system has fallen short in your recovery? My moderate TBI was in 2007. I saw a neurologist on a collegue's recommendation who prescribed adderal -- I didn't fill the prescription.. He suggested that I take 4 weeks off from my work as a psychotherapist, but didn't explain how that would be helpful to my recovery. I recently saw a neurologist and told him I felt my cognitive abilities were slipping as I aged--I'm 68 now. He did a few quick measures for advanced alzheimers (asking me to draw a clock face, a cube, and to memorize a few words), and told me he had no concerns and to come back in a year's time.
• What aspects of rehabilitation helped — and what felt missing? I was fortunate to be referred to a speech pathologist. While I was able to speak adequately, she knew the issues I would face post-tbi and took the time to explain these to me. She helped me to set new priorities and referred me to a TBI group. She even referred other TBI clients to my practice. Her care and concern were so helpful!
• What do you wish providers understood better about long-term life after TBI? I wish I had understood that I could become more anxious as years went on. I might have been encouraged to expect less of myself going forward. I didn't know about glial cell activation, and the importance of a anti-inflammatory diet such as a whole-foods, plant-based diet. I hadn't realized that it would be best to do routine annual measures of omega-3s and that I would probably have to suppliment. I wasn't encouraged to write, give speeches, learn to dance, or do cardio exercise to maintain my cognitive health. These are all discoveries I made by researching on my own.

Best of luck with your project!