Sunday, February 9, 2025
43.1 F
Roseville

TBI Injured Man: Don’t Drink and Drive

In 1974, 16-year-old Todd “Odie” Bode was a backseat passenger when a “drunk driver came whipping across the lane and hit us head-on,” said 52-year-old Bode in a telephone interview. “My big brother was driving. All I remember is my big brother’s girlfriend yelling, ‘He’s going to hit us.’ I went between the bucket seats, hit my head against the dash, and was out like a light.” He remained in a coma nearly three months and spent another three months undergoing rehabilitation in a hospital.

Emotionally, he went through angry and depressed periods post accident, in part because he felt the drunk driver had stolen parts of his life. For example, he was no longer able to hunt or fish, two favorite activities.

“And at first my short-term memory was so bad I couldn’t walk down to the corner without getting lost,” he said. “I went back to high school that year, but had to take mostly special education-type courses. Every morning, someone from homeroom had to walk me to special education.”

Over the years, he has tried working minimum-wage jobs, but his poor short-term memory makes even part-time work virtually impossible. Some people have accused him of taking illegal drugs because his TBI symptoms, i.e., poor short-term memory, communication abilities, and coordination, mimic those of a drug abuser.

*******
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website states that traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. Some common disabilities arising from TBI can include difficulties in thinking, memory, and reasoning; sensory processing; understanding and expressing communication; and behavioral or mental health issues.
*******

He said, “I have also had people complain about me receiving (government assistance) because they don’t believe I’m brain injured. When they complain, I just take off my baseball cap and say, ‘See the scars from my head injury, where they chopped into my brain?’ That’s pretty effective when I show them the scars.'”

To get through life on a day-by-day basis, he leans heavily on caring members of his local church and on his pastor, the latter who gives him free rides most weeks to Wal-Mart for shopping.

He had heartfelt advice for readers: “The biggest thing to remember is don’t drink and drive,” he said. “A lot of people drink alcohol and get behind a wheel.”



Brighter Side

Trending

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Topics

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

All American Sweeping Co. in Roseville

All American Sweeping's objective is to provide personalized customer service with an emphasis on professionalism, communication, responsiveness and quality at a fair price

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.