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Head injuries, such as concussions, can be challenging and often unpredictable, with recovery requiring not only physical healing but also emotional and mental resilience. For many, including Kelly Bellamon, navigating the complexities of concussion recovery can be a long and difficult journey.
Kelly is a nurse and clinical nurse educator at Yarmouth Regional Hospital, where she has worked since 1998. Over the years, Kelly has sustained multiple head injuries, including a severe concussion from a motorcycle accident when a deer collided with her motorcycle.
“I’ve had a couple of head injuries over the decades,” Kelly explained. “The last one was from a motor vehicle collision.” Despite the challenges of her recovery, Kelly has continued to thrive in her nursing role, largely thanks to the support of her colleagues and the education she received on concussion recovery.
Kelly participated in educational sessions offered by the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Nova Scotia Health. These free, virtual sessions are designed for people who have experienced a concussion within the past six months and aim to help participants understand what to expect during recovery and learn effective coping strategies.
The program is also open to family members and loved ones, and it is structured in two parts. To attend, participants must be 16 years or older and have had a concussion.
Reflecting on the impact of these sessions, Kelly noted, “The sessions have really helped me.” She appreciates how the program not only validated the symptoms she was experiencing but also provided her with practical tools for managing them, helping her return to work smoothly.
“You don't want to overwhelm your brain with too many challenges. It's important to give yourself time to rest. I learned strategies and coping mechanisms to help me return to my previous activities, but with a better approach.”
Through her own experience, Kelly has gained a deeper understanding of what patients recovering from head injuries are experiencing. She now actively promotes the education program in her nursing role at the hospital, ensuring others have access to the support she found so valuable. She encourages others with head injuries to access the resources.