Michelle Maust knows the sense of accomplishment in simple things like moving a finger, eating a sandwich, taking a first step.
In March 1991, when she was driving home to Idaho from San Francisco, she fell asleep at the wheel of her car. She awoke just as the car veered off the road near Snowville and tried desperately to correct it. But it was too late. The car flipped several times before coming to a rest.Unconscious and suffering severe head and internal injuries, Maust was taken to a hospital in Pocatello. After she was stabilized, she was transported to LDS Hospital.
For 10 days, she lay in a coma.
Today, Maust works as a nurse therapist at the Intermountain Rehabilitation Center at LDS Hospital. When patients who suffer from head injuries feel discouraged or frustrated because progress seems slow, Maust understands. When she reassures them, they know her empathy is heartfelt.
Gov. Norm Bangerter has declared October as Head Injury Awareness Month to recognize health-care professionals like Maust who help patients regain their lives.
"I'm able to relate to patients and their families in a very real way, said Maust. "They can look at me and see that not only am I functioning, I'm thriving. They know they can too."
Rehabilitation and medical services for those injured with head injuries is conservatively estimated at $25 billion a year. While many suffer lifelong disabilities, Maust believes the injured must rebuild their lives by gaining confidence through small but significant victories - step by step.
"One day at a time," is the philosophy Maust shares with her patients. "I try to build on what the patients accomplish each day."
Maust had just graduated from Weber State College and had taken her nursing board tests before her ill-fated trip to Idaho. As she fought for her life unconscious, her family was notified by mail that she had passed her exams.
On the 11th day after her accident, she regained consciousness and slowly began responding to commands. For the next six weeks, Maust struggled to overcome her injuries. Unable to feel or move her right side, Maust had to learn to eat, walk and talk again.
"Little by little, things came back to me," she said. "I would be doing something and have these flashes and think, `Hey, I remember this.' "
Maust proudly remembers the day she left the hospital - walking with a cane. "The staff in the rehab center were so supportive and helpful to me and my family."
She returned to the rehabilitation center in January - this time as a nurse.
"I feel as though I share a special bond with many of these patients. I know what they're going through. I know the frustration and fear that patients feel after an injury like this. I also know that a head injury or accident doesn't mean the end of a productive life. We can all contribute in one way or another."
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(Additional information)
GRAPHIC: Head injuries
Two million Americans sustained traumatic brain injuries each year from automobile crashes, falls, recreation injuries, assaults and other forms of violence.
Approximately 100,000 of these die, and 500,000 sustain injuries severe enough to require expensive hospitalization.
Males under 34 have the highest rate of injury
Annually, nearly 90,000 people sustain lifelong disabilities as the result of head injuries.
The cost of providing medical and rehab services for those who suffer severe head injuries is conservatively estimated at $25 billion a year.