Life–Bombing–Injury–Life: A qualitative follow-up study of Oklahoma City bombing survivors with TBI

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Abstract
Primary objective: To learn about and come to an understanding of the recovery process and outcomes experienced by the survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) along with other injuries in the blast. Research design: A phenomenological study was conducted using in-person interviews, document and video-tape review, internet communication and researcher journals as the primary data set. Methods and procedures: A total of 20 of the 46 bombing survivors with TBI (44%) agreed to be a part of the study. The data collection process focused on stories about service needs, services accessed and long-term outcomes of the participants. Main outcome and results: The researchers’ data analysis yielded four themes (Trauma-Healing-Support; What TBI?; How I went back to work and life; Now I really need assistance!) that represented the content and meanings of the interviews and supplemental data. Conclusions: A common thread running through the interviews of survivors with TBI was their portrayal of life-long medical, emotional, vocational and residential needs since the bombing. What they experienced in the months—extending into years—after the bombing was beyond their own anticipation and that of their families and healthcare professionals.

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