Getting Back to Work with Dr Molly Parker
Welcome back to the blog!
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, so I am sharing my experiences with brain injury and highlighting resources, writing about topics of interests, answering questions, and spotlighting professionals all month!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the cause of disability for 5.3 million adults in the US. Despite knowing this statistic, I did not realize that two and a half years after my injury I would not yet have returned to my prior work activities.
If you’d like to learn more about the financial toll of TBI, causes, treatment, and more, please check out my linked blog post from September.
Today’s post is a feature on Dr. Molly Parker, a physical therapist and survivor of traumatic brain injury. I found her on Instagram when I desperately needed insight from someone who understood what I was going through after dealing with prolonged concussion symptoms. Dr. Parker’s professional background, along with her personal understanding of living with traumatic brain injury, creates a unique and impactful perspective. I’m so grateful to have connected with her. She’s given me so much hope; I’m glad to be able to share her work with you!
Dr. Parker and I collaborated to put together tips to help others return back to work after TBI.
You can connect with Dr Molly Parker on Instagram and through her website for The Concussion Compass
I detailed my return-to-work journey on the blog this month. You can read Part One HERE and Part Two HERE.
Molly Parker’s story (from her bio on the concussion compass website)
“Hi Everyone! I am a Physical Therapist and have also been on my own journey with prolonged concussion symptoms.
Prior to my accident I was working at a small cutting edge clinic in San Clemente, California. We became known as the clinic in town to take “difficult” or “out of the box” clients, alongside our athletes and weekend warriors; this is where I deepened and nurtured my understanding the nervous system’s role in optimal health.
In 2011 I was hit by a cab driver as a pedestrian, I remember at the time feeling lucky that I had “only” sustained a concussion. Little did I know how involved they could truly be. At that time the awareness of concussion was poor. I slowly lost my abilities as my symptoms increased. It would take me two years of actively trying to get a diagnosis and three before I met the first practitioner who believed me - but still I continued on a downward slope.
At year four I could no longer care for myself, I slowly lost everything, and I had to move back to Washington where my family became my caregivers.
Given my background - I knew this was not the way it was supposed to be. I kept knocking on doors, and over the next 5 years I kept clawing my way up from the symptoms that never should gotten to the place they did.
I spent hundreds of hours researching, thousands of dollars on unnecessary appointments, countless days in bed and in tears because I felt so lost and alone. It was here, that I decided, no else should ever experience this.
But I have good news - today I have improved by 80%. Now I am stepping into a world that feels familiar, yet foreign, with a deep felt sense of growth and perspective.
My mission is to ensure that you receive optimal concussion recovery along with the silver linings that come with difficult times.
I am thrilled and honored that you are here! ”
Molly’s experience returning to work after concussion
“The first time I tried to return to work after taking a short break due to persistent concussion symptoms was an absolute disaster.
Knowing what I know now I pretty much did everything wrong.
What a train wreck it was.
I had zero guidance at the time so today let’s make sure YOU have some insight into what a successful return to work should to entail.”
When the time comes to return to work/school... here are a few things to keep in mind to smoothe the way:
1. Simulate work activities at home first
If you are someone who’s been off of work or on modified duty, simulating work activities can give you an idea of where you’re at in a controlled environment and before dealing with the politics of a return to work.
For example:
If you are an office worker, you may sit at your kitchen table and work through emails.
If you are a teacher, you may sit in a loud coffee shop or turn on the radio to simulate the noise of the classroom while you teach a lesson.
2. Do a gradual return
One of the biggest mistakes, and the most common pitfalls is not rebuilding tolerance to a full workday gradually. Heading back to a full 40 hours a week from nothing would be exhausting for anybody, let alone someone recovering from concussion symptoms.
Instead start small and build your way up. This should be sustainable and leave room for flexibility. Try to have at least 2 weeks at a current workload successfully before adding.
3. Start with a day off in between workdays
This goes back to a gradual return. Start with returning Monday/Wednesday/Friday for part days or Tuesday/Thursday. Begin gradually filling the work days in as recovery progresses.
4. Set boundaries
Its easy to take work home (especially in a pandemic). Create clear time boundaries and space boundaries.
For example, leave the work computer in only one room of your home, or don’t check emails after a specific time of day or on days off.
5. Communicate current abilities
Brain injuries can be confusing, not just for the injured but also for those around us. It can be helpful to communicate what abilities are as they change.
List out what you are able to do easily, what you can do with accommodations, and what you are not yet able to do as relative to your job duties. If appropriate, send this list to your employer.
Instagram vs reality
Now we realize this is in an ideal world. Not everyone is going to have the support or opportunity to progress back into work in a way that’s optimal for the injury.
We both learned the hard way that starting back to work without a plan can be damaging to recovery.
Do what you can in applying these principles and don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs.
If you need assistance, Dr Parker has created a list of some common accommodations that many employers/schools are legally required to allow tomorrow (check her Instagram tomorrow to find this!).
Finally, it may be helpful to work with an occupational therapist or other healthcare professional to help you move through this process and run point with your place of employment.
Rest assured that a full return to work is possible & people do it successfully all the time!
We hope this helps give you some ideas as to how this can work in your own life.
A big “thank you” to Dr Molly Parker for collaborating with me on today’s post. Please connect with her and support her work!
Want to practice mindfulness consistently? Text MINDFUL to +1-480-531-9810 to get a free daily mindfulness prompt via text message!
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Thank you for support in getting me this far!
I was selected for this competition based on my platform of wanting to make yoga + mindfulness accessible. I currently do that with my daily mindfulness text, this blog, and my Instagram and TikTok content. I have big dreams of doing more to help others, and I’d love your support! Here’s how you can help:
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