Brain injury patient: Kayaking made big impact on my recoveryRSS Feed

19 October 2009

A brain injury sufferer has credited some of his initial recovery to the learning process involved in kayaking.

Speaking to the Washington Examiner, Don Lange explained the focus the water pursuit requires helped to retune his mind to gaining skills.

He started paddling as part of his rehabilitation following an accident while serving in the armed forces in Afghanistan five years ago.

Memory, speed and simple jobs such as feeding himself were all a struggle initially, something Lange admitted made it difficult to muster up motivation.

After being advised to try kayaking, he saw a change in his attitude and abilities, making steady progress with the help of his tutors.

The first session's skills were quickly forgotten, but within a few weeks Mr Lange was able to recall key aspects of what he had previous done in the water.

"It's only one piece of my recovery, but without it I'm not sure I would be independent today," he told the news source.

Another brain injury sufferer who has recounted her struggle to recover is car crash victim Monique Pruneau.

She told the Times and Transcript of her four-year battle to regain speech and mobility, adding she is planning to raise money for the doctors who helped her on her way.

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