I‘ve had something on my mind for awhile and I finally feel the need to write about it. In the beginning, I rarely talked about my injuries, as I was shamed for it by people I considered friends. It left me horribly depressed, as I felt I had no one to turn to during this incredibly frightening time of my life. I had no idea how to use my microwave, I thought Bill Clinton was still President, and I had to look at my calendar every 15 minutes to make sure I wasn’t missing an appointment because I couldn’t remember beyond that timeframe. I can’t even begin to describe how scary the situation was to me, especially living alone. I had severe dizziness, body aches from the physical injuries (I couldn’t stand up straight for over a year), and the fatigue was debilitating (I was sleeping 12-14 hours at night, but 1-2 naps during the day).

At my one year mark, I became beyond frustrated. I had considered taking my life because I couldn’t deal with it anymore, I didn’t think I was ever going to recover from my TBI. But alas, I am a total and complete wuss and knew I could never go thru with it. So I took to writing as my therapy. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that 1. I didn’t actually jump and 2. that I had the courage to submit my story to The Huffington Post.

My story has been read by literally tens of thousands of people. I have made friends from all over the WORLD, brought together by TBI. I have helped SO MANY others cope with their TBI and understand that what they’re dealing with is “normal” and they are most definitely not alone in this journey; all because I had the courage to put into words exactly how I felt. Words are powerful, they allow others a portal into your heart and soul.

I have had photographer friends and facebook friends reach out to me because a client or a friend of theirs has suffered a concussion/TBI and they wanted to connect me with that person. It is absolutely amazing to me how writing one little blog post about little ol’ me has turned into something that was needed…… Survivors needed somewhere to turn, a place where they could chat with others dealing with the same issues.

It’s been a pretty bumpy ride, but one that I am so incredibly thankful to be on. I knew the instant I fell that there was a bigger reason. At the time I had no idea what that reason would be, and I still don’t know where exactly it is going to take me. But I can tell you that I am thankful for YOU!! If you are reading this, then YOU have a special place in my heart and I appreciate you!! I am honored to be a part of your life, and wish you the very best in your recovery (or the recovery of your loved one). Thanks for taking this journey with me!
#TBIawareness #SurvivorsROCK #TBI