Fuck them, I'm not brain damaged. I'm not a sped, I thought.
"James' injury, is a classic case of closed head injury. His skull wasn't pierced. The brain jury occurred as his head struck the windshield. When this happened his brain slammed at a very high velocity into his skull. The collision caused numerous bruises and tore numerous blood vessels. I'm concerned that the rapid movement may have stretched any neuronal axons."
"What would that do?" the older blond asked.
"Worst case, a permanent effect on his fine motor control, up to and including paralysis."
The older blond sighed.
"Neuronal axons are threads that link cells to one another throughout the brain and from the brain to the rest of the body. Widespread axonal injuries can disrupt communication between brain regions and also between the brain and the body. An injury like James' has a tendency to effect broad areas of functioning."
"Can you tell? Are they're any tests you can give him?"
"No. We don't have a test that can detect this type of diffuse damage. All we can do is pay close attention to his motor functions. As we get further along a clearer picture will emerge. James will have to relearn many basic living skills. We can't be sure how the brain injury will affect his personality. An injury like his can damage systems that control our social-emotional lives. The ramifications may be very difficult. James's personality can change subtly or drastically."
I didn't remember that explanation, that's what Diane told me.
My last day in the hospital began like every other. With the help of a nurse I walked behind a wheelchair, pushing it up and down the hallway. As I approached the waiting room, the younger blonde's voice drifted into the hallway. Hearing my name I stopped and listened. "James may have mood swings. He may show dependant behavior, irritability, lethargy. The doctor says he could be uninhibited. He may not be able to modify his behavior to fit the situation.
"You just described James before his accident. Maybe this will knock some class into him."
"Geezus Pete Genise! You can be such a bitch!"
"What's the big deal?"
I pushed the wheelchair into the waiting room. "YOU! THE DEVIL WITH TITS! OUT! GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT!" I bellowed. The fiend grinned at me as I rumbled towards her. She tucked her legs into her chest as I crashed the wheelchair into the side of her chair. It tipped over and spilled her onto the floor. I backed the wheelchair up, ready to again ram it into the overturned chair. She scrambled to get out of harm's way. The blond placed herself between the beast and me.