From Slate Magazine · Jenée Desmond-Harris · · 1m 30s
Childhood Head Injury and Migraines
A childhood head injury causes lifelong migraines. The writer accepts this as the price of a meaningful life.
In brief
A childhood head injury causes lifelong migraines. The writer accepts this as the price of a meaningful life. The writer accepts chronic migraines as the price of a meaningful life after a childhood head injury. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Childhood Head Injury
The writer experienced a severe head injury as a child that likely caused chronic migraines.
“I get migraines, lots of them, likely as a product of a severe head injury as a child.”
Chronic Migraine Struggle
The writer tried many treatments but found none that reduced pain without severe side effects.
“I’ve tried just about every treatment anyone could offer, and I’ve never found anything that does more than make them slightly less painful, but that came with unbearable side effects.”
Migraine Impact
The writer faced suicidal thoughts during migraine episodes due to their frequency.
“At times in the past, dealing with preposterously frequent migraines made me almost suicidal.”
Graduate School Mentor
The writer’s graduate school mentor discussed healthy aging and the privilege of growing old.
“My graduate school mentor, who studied healthy aging, would regularly say something along the lines of “Growing old is a privilege too few people get””
Head Injury Survival
The writer learned that most children who suffered similar injuries died immediately or shortly after.
“The vast majority of kids who get hurt as I did die immediately or shortly after.”
Lucky Survivor
The writer is one of the few who survived the childhood head injury.
“As one of the few who lived, I am one of the lucky ones.”
Current Life
The writer has an incredible wife and a smart, funny, sweet daughter.
“I have an incredible wife, and a smart, funny, sweet, cool-as-could-be young daughter.”
Work Challenges
The writer’s job requires preventing health issues but lacks days off for migraines.
“My job, where I have too few days off to take leave when I get migraines, involves attempting to prevent people from developing chronic or deadly health issues.”
Acceptance
The writer accepts migraines as the price of their meaningful life.
“I accept that price.”
Life Perspective
The writer sees migraines as a privilege after surviving a childhood head injury.
“My migraines aren’t going anywhere, but I have the privilege of being alive.”
Prudence Response
Prudence encourages the writer to lean into their life despite chronic pain.
“I hope the letter writer has incredible people and a meaningful life. I would encourage them to lean into those things.”
Migraine Mindset Shift
The writer describes a powerful shift in mindset about their migraines.
“Over time, I have come to see my migraines differently.”
The essence
The writer accepts chronic migraines as the price of a meaningful life after a childhood head injury.
