Exploring the Spirituality of Living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Meet the Chaplain

Hello. I’m Patrick Jones. I am a deacon in the Catholic Church. I am married and have two daughters. I also have TBI as the result of eight concussions since I was twelve years old. No, they weren’t from the boxing ring – they were each unique. However, once a person has one concussion, they are more likely to have others and the damage is cumulative. Thus, a later, lighter concussion may seem to cause more damage than an earlier, more severe concussion.

Though I did not know it until early 2003, I’ve been dealing with TBI since 1983 when a swing broke as I was at the top. I landed on my head, was unconscious for an unknown length of time, and had a broken neck. My neck was treated but nothing was done for the invisible but permanent brain damage that no one even knew to look for.

Looking back, I realize that I suffered the typical TBI difficulties. My grades suffered, I dropped out of competitive soccer, and experienced migraine-like headaches for the first time. Over time, I unknowingly learned to compensate.

Various concussions along the way set me back, but no connection was made between my struggles and my concussions. This certainly seems daft now, but the doctors all assured me that no permanent damage had occurred, so I continued to unknowingly adopt coping strategies. Then in November of 2002, I ran into a tree branch and suffered the proverbial straw on the camel’s back: I became disabled due to TBI.

The symptoms I experience due to TBI are many and varied. The most challenging symptoms are: constant vertigo, varied fatigue, and attention and memory deficits.

This page is part of my ministry to reach out to others who have TBI and their loved ones. It contains information my wife and I find helpful as we strive and struggle, suffer and succeed at life with TBI. It also contains poetry I’ve written that relates to various aspects of spirituality and TBI.

Blessings,

Patrick

About TBI:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by concussions to the brain. A single, mild, concussion can cause neurons in the brain to sheer apart, resulting in organic, permanent brain damage. The brain may learn to work around this damage, resulting in no apparent permanency. However, subsequent concussions can cause more damage and have an even greater affect on a person’s capacity. Mild concussions can result in permanent disability, making the term “mild” one of the more absurd medical terms.

Donate your old iPhone to someone who needs a brain in their pocket!
(click here for details!)

Confidentiality Notice:

Please know that I consider our interactions confidential. There is one exception to the seal of confidentiality. Because I am clergy, I am bound by Colorado law to report any specific threats of harm a person may cause themselves or others that I may learn about. I will keep all other matters in confidence. Because interactions are by email, their anonymous nature may prevent me from having sufficient specifics to report. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to email me. Thank you.

This site is funded by the generous parishioners of

Our Lady of the Woods

and the

Diocese of Colorado Springs.

Thank you for making this ministry possible!

If you would like to make a donation in support of it please send a check made out to “Our Lady of the Woods,” note “Brain Injury Chaplain” in the for section of the check and mail to; PO Box 5590, Woodland Park, CO 80866. Your contribution is tax deductible. Thank you for your generosity.