I started using Google Maps in 2017 out of necessity, when I found myself getting lost and confused driving places I’d known how to get to for years. Driving over to my older brothers house and I was suddenly turned around and lost two streets over, completely mystified as to where I was. I didn’t want to admit this to my family at the time, as I had just been allowed to start driving again! Heck no, I didn’t want to lose my freedom, however I was so scared and frustrated at times I just pulled the car over and cried.
This can happen with a Traumatic Brain Injury. I was assaulted by a patient while I was nursing at a Psych Hospital in October 2016, and that ended my nursing career. When I was finally allowed to start driving again, it was because I wasn’t as dizzy as I had been the first few months. The confusion and memory loss though; hold the phone! Then it dawned on me a few months later, after months of failed attempts of finding my way, “I have Google Maps on my phone.” So I started using it, and the rest as they say is history!
I didn’t go many places the fist year, but when I did I would get a prompting from Google Maps to leave a review. I did it for something to do, not really knowing anything about the Local Guide Program. Late in 2018 I discovered an amazing store I’d never been in; Ulta Beauty! I walked in and was mesmerized by the wall to wall make-up and skin care; the rows of perfume and hair care products. I wanted to twirl around and sing like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music! Why had I never been to this store before?? I took a few pictures, and after overspending in the store, but getting GREAT service, I posted my super enthusiastic review.
I couldn’t believe the number of views the photos got! I kept getting notifications that the photo’s where getting more and more views; 50,000, 75,000, 100,00! This inspired me so much to start taking more photos of businesses I went to, and to try to write those long enthusiastic reviews. I have even started talking to business owners, asking if they are familiar with Google Maps. I let some know, “Hey, I’m interested in taking pictures of your business for Google Maps, is that OK?” And then explaining how important it was to get on Google Maps and monitor their reviews, respond right away and keep things up to date.
Doing these small things has made me feel like I’m contributing to small businesses in the community while at the same time I still participate in checking facts on Google Maps as much as I can, when I have time. I’ll be honest, sometimes I forget for awhile and have to get back on track. I forget what I was doing five minutes ago, but that’s the nature of a brain injury! It makes me so happy when I can contribute to a local business’ success, or share my great service with someone else. Or, for the sake of my Canadian husband, when we finally found a restaurant here in Columbus that served Poutine, or close enough to it. (His words, he ate every bite though!)
