DelicatessenSenior Contributor
Who do you see in the mirror?
Hi Everyone
I was privileged recently to see a video about 5 people who were undergoing rehabilitation for a brain injury. All had been fully functioning prior to the injury. A few of them had “major” breakthroughs by re-learning to simply stand-up, walk a few steps or even being able to hold onto a small ball. It made me think about some of the souls I’ve known with mental health issues that celebrate when they just get out of bed…
Anyway, one of them commented on how devastating it was to look in the mirror to find the way they looked hadn’t changed one bit, yet their whole world had crashed with the injury. I know when my depression and anxiety kicks in that I can go through whole weeks and months without looking at myself (just look down when I’m in front of the mirror as I’m sure I look ugly).
Back to the video. In the end one of the people ended up being able to hold a small ball so was able to get a driver licence because he could hold a ball attached to the driving wheel. Which he reported has changed his life. I assumed (correctly I hope) that his view of his image in the mirror has changed considerably.
I’m happy to report that before I went on a recent holiday I was declared stable. I then proceeded to hike for over 3 weeks - something I just expected I’d fail to do before I left. Right now (but maybe not for long) I feel on top of the world. To my surprise I’m looking at myself in the mirror, and am smiling.
I am wondering if any of you can share who you see when you look in the mirror? Has it changed?