I got ran over by someone going 65mph. I was in coma and suffered a major TBI. Was told I wouldn’t walk or ever return back to work! One year later after a lot of prayer and pushing myself! I returned back to work and have no issues!!! Theirs hope for everyone! Just stay in faith and know you’ll recover!!

No one knows the dark and lonely highway one takes in becoming the person you become...stay strong

For anybody coming here because they or somebody they know has a tbi, if a Dr tells you that you’ve recovered as much as possible, walk away immediately. My TBI was over 26 years ago and I continue to recover everyday.

The worst of it is when you look normal on the outside but the struggles of living with TBI affect every area of your life .my skills my processing ability, noises,over stimulation, problem solving, making unsafe choices, fatigue social Life,so much has been affected in some areas I'm like a kid .short term memory is affected.then there are bullies that downplay or disregard anything you try to tell them you want or need , if you can even put in to word's what your wants and needs are sometimes I don't even know.im just so tired yer I am improving. prayers for strength comfort and healing to all that are in recovery from TBI

I'm 8yrs in.... Living with a brain injury is like losing your job, your relationships, your health, it's about losing your identity and living with and relearning what's left of the person someone used to be and dealing with that loss. A brain injury leaves people with physiological, psychological and emotional problems, it's a life long disability. The hardest challenge I've found is balancing the neuro-fatigue, because if that goes everything goes and I can't deal with anything, everything is dread.

I’m nearly ten years in from a brain injury in a road traffic accident. Still discovering new things about my new brain - it’s lifelong and so hard, especially when you’re lucky enough to be able to walk, talk and present to the world as if you are normal.

This is for all survivors of brain injuries. To help explain to other people what has happened to you with a brain injury. I am a survivor, you are a survivor. Having a brain injury, recovering from a brain injury, is like this. For comparison. A library of books has an earthquake (your brain). The books(your thoughts and memories) all get shaken around. Results of the earthquake (your TBI) Some books are knocked on the floor, some books are picked up but put back in the wrong places on the shelf, some books are just knocked over and need to be put back upright, some books are still in the correct place (again, books are your thoughts and memories). Clean up, some books are right where they should be, some books are put back on the shelf but in the wrong places, some books are just swept up in the mess and thrown away. Remember, books are your thoughts and memories, in this comparison, this analogy. This is the "brain earthquake" (TBI). Hope this helps you in trying to let others know what you have been thru

My hushand has TBI and every day there is improvement and I'm happy his my miracle

I love his comment on emotional recovery. Nobody ever brought up how difficult losing so much would affect me in 2018. It is a form of PTSD I can’t explain. Plus if one more person tells me “well you can’t tell by looking at you,” I’ll scream. They don’t know that I lay in bed 90% of the time too depressed and fatigued to care.

Here I am in 2020, after dying in a car crash in 2013 due to the blunt force trauma of my head going through my window. No one other than other survivors, gets it.

I've had many people assume since I have a TBI I'm mentally slow. But when they hear how I speak and how intelligent I am they are in shock. I'm like, "Why so surprised? Just because I have a TBI doesn't mean I'm stupid."

I’m recovering from a brain injury. I lost a lot of memory and the ability to control my legs. I lost a lot of muscle in my body mostly legs. In the first 2 months I’m speaking and remember more and more each day. I also walk short ways with a Walker. The hard stuff is feeling worthless and very low. My healing has no doubt been help by the love and support of my wife. The brain is healing but don’t forget about the mind. The personal feelings of the hurt people. Thank you and God bless.

I love reading comments because i know im not alone. The Neuro fatigue is horrible and now im having seizure like activity

So true. I am about 2 years in and still seeing improvements all the time. Thanks for your advocacy

I was one of the "lucky" ones who was put in several good rehabilitation centers for my specific issues, it's 3 years later and I'm still recovering in hops and skips. Not leaps and bounds but I'll take it. When this happens to you, society at large tries to disregard the person you are and push you out of the way like you don't matter. Don't let them do that to you, the help IS out there. If nothing else, keep pushing for that aid/growth just to spite them.

The VA told me my tbi would be gone within 6 months. It's been 12 years now and they still tell me I should be over it now

I am 63 years old I played guitar since I was 13. I had a serous accident spent a week unconscious and then had amnesia, time went on I recovered more. after weeks in hospital I was aloud to come home picked up my guitar to my shock and surprise I realized I no longer new how to play, I still knew chords and the notes and scales but every thing that i could play was gone so I've been trying to remember every thing. My capability is low also, just to play a few chords sounds like a learner, there is about 20 tunes that I remember playing but not how, its is very depressing all I can do is to keep trying.

After head injuries yes your spot on it affects a person for the rest of there lives .worse thing the public have no patience.people don’t understand people couldn’t care less .

Thank you, I suffered a TBI when I was 17. I am now 46 and on disability . I worked as a Medical Assistant for 8 years and enjoyed working however , it became too much for me. I hope other’s keep getting better informed about TBI’s and how to help other’s.

thank u for the video! i’m 18 and had a tbi after being ejected in a car accident a few months back. since getting out the hospital i haven’t noticed many differences besides temper and memory loss but am continuing to pray for full recovery 💗

This is one of the most terrible things I believe can happen to someone. It feels like I am in a glitch in the matrix. It feels like I am living in Hell on Earth

This is one of the best articulated and most insightful speeches I have witnessed. As the father of a sever TBI son, it resonated well and, based on my experience, is very accurate. Looking forward to continued improvement and acceptance.

Truly appreciate your advocacy for the Invisibles whom get forgotten by most around them

Thanks Dr I'm watching this video tonight 20/1/2021 after you posted it two years later and now i feel better because of your beautiful speech saying people can recover from TBI for the rest of their lives, thanks again.

Have had 3 bad head injuries in my life. Ran me head thru a fish aquarium when i was 4. Head almost shattered windshield in car accident when i was in high school then a few years ago i tripped over a lawn steak & hit concrete step/brick wall with my head. All 3 were around same area of my head. My memory is pretty much non existent. Don't have vivid memories of anything, not even the births of my kids. Makes life quite difficult at times

Currently dealing with this .. this is the hardest thing I ever had to deal with the headaches 24/7 dizziness n it been 2 n half years still not fully recovered

The title of this video made me cry. I will never be like I was again. Ill never be the same. Phish - Driver is the best way to explain my days.

I'm 30 years old. I was attacked age 15 with a metal pole, a plank of wood, fists and I think a baseball bat. I was refused hospitalisation as it would have affected my parents routine. I didn't notice at first the devastation to my psyche, the loss of social ability, the degredation of my joy and my security. Now half my life later I see how much of an effect this event had, I can not sustain employment, I only recently got control of my brain and headaches after 'breaking a crust headache out of my brain' which released all kinds of smells that I have been exposed to in my life. It's easy to feel depressed and hopeless: I'm hoping someone with knowledge or experience of a heart can come forward with some motivational words or guidance or hope, help light.my world again. I miss the me I was.

Your sincerity .. was felt . .. As a person in recovery . I can tell you this meant more then you know.

This worries me about my motorcycle accident in 2013. I haven't felt normal at all and I seam to struggle to hold on more and more everyday. I am happy though. Just fucked up in the head or something, things like my emotions and aggression have become a lot more frequent causing me to program my day in an odd way, like having to catch my self and scolding my actions out loud. Changing my personality has been the only thing keeping me hopeful and feeling safe from what goes on in my head. It takes incredible focus to feel normal.

I suffered a TBI and am a proud Veteran. I wish I could explain what I went through from April 2017, when it happens, to now 2022. I’m still working to better myself overall and experience a mix of emotions. A difficult truth I’ve been working to better understand is “everything happens for a reason.” Today (12JAN22) is a good day!

I had a tbi when I was two years old which split my head open. To this day I have a dented head and severe memory problems (I iften have to relearn the same tasks). Although I was able to succeed in school, I have severe difficulty with my memory as well as communication issues, such as understanding social cues, following conversations, and understanding speech among many other problems. My parents never revisited the doctor after my accident to see if my injury could have resulted in deficits in my growth as a child. I always used to think that I was just weird or different as a child, but I have started to think that my injury could have had lasting effects. Since my injury was towards the left side of my brain, I believe it primarily impacts my ability to communicate, specifically through speech. Thanks.

Thank you so much for the information I am a nurse and I was that person that had a 2 pm injury on a Monday haha my memory has been growing since my accident 3/11/19 but I do struggle daily. It gets really tough around people who don’t understand. It gets tougher for every single reason your memory is everything… I’m very lucky & blessed to only suffer the way I do. It’s hard for people like me who worked up for a future and then in an instant an accident happens and it’s hard to recall what I ate for breakfast before it’s even noon. I’m lucky I had such a strong memory before my accident. It’s also a curse though. People can see how good my memory is now but they don’t know what brilliance of a memory I had. Some do, some don’t. I hope somehow I can get my memory back to its peak potential but I know it’s going to take a long time. I’m thankful to be alive. Thanks for your positivity and hopefulness on the topic it makes a world of difference to the patience and all healthcare workers who have lost their hope.

Thanks you for care about us the brain injury patient. 🙏❤️👸🇩🇴

I had a severe traumatic brain injury at 17 . I was double barrel kicked in the head by a horse. And near beaten to death , two on one 7 days after getting out of hospital. Leaving me wheelchair bound, with no memory whatsoever, having to learn to walk talk and count all over again. With faith and determination I was lucky enough to be so functional that no one can tell iv had a injury. Memory struggles, fatigue, confusion and concentration are still tough. I'm so grateful to have found this video knowing it's normal to have ongoing symptoms. Thankyou .

I applaud all your efforts wish more drs and funds can help people like me

TBI/PTSD means putting up with everything and everyone who aggravates you all day long because there's nothing else you can do

So very grateful to stumble upon this video. Thankyou for saying it so well. Our son Daniel has had a traumatic brain injury since 2026. We live be great Hope and see Daniel heal little by little 🙌

I am reading the comments and i agree with everything said here. This Doctor is an absolute gem of a human being. Thank you so much for this podcast 😂

Thank you for sharing this information!! People are so misinformed and give up on their loved ones. My daughter suffered a TBI 13 years ago and she has continued to improve and I am so thankful she has the opportunity to enjoy life and love

Never give up keep trying keep going it's a hard road a road have been on since 2009 hypoxia doctors saying I will never walk or talk again yet I am writing comment on my own no help just me so guys and gals never give up on yourself there will plenty who have dont yourself you are all doing amazing sending luck and love from headway Nottingham UK xx

Being I have a TBI and many more years to come I plan on just doing things to keep my mind fresh. I'll regress like I do from time to time the rest of my life but I'm ok with that just how life goes.

Never give up keep going doing amazing keep positive you got this stay strong stay safe sending love from headway Nottingham UK x

Thank you for this encouragement - having suffered another TBI a month ago - a fall from 5 ft straight onto solid wood and then another fall onto a concrete floor - natural medicine - ARNICA - lots of patience and recuperation - and research has been a God send. Thank you to all those who share their research and experiences.

Lovely these kind of speeches I'm recovering from brain injury dew to accident.

My son suffered tbi at 2 months age. Sbs by his dad while i was at work. He is now 15 doing better than expected. Still 4yrs behind in development. Some days he acts his age other days he acts like a toddler teddy bears, cartoons and tantrums. Lately his aggression and outbursts are too much and i consider a home as he is huge and towers over me. It breaks my heart. I love him and did every therapy under the sun. Abilify seem to be his miracle medicine, but even that doesn't stop the violent outburst he has at times. Breaking things and not understanding consequences.

My dad has two stokes and now he has an anoxic brain injury. It’s been difficult the last could of weeks. He moves his limbs and looks around the room he’s began to track again. I want my dad back he’s all I have.

I have had over 10 concussions over my life fighting MMA I can be in sunlight without getting headaches, mood swings, speech issues, depression and anxiety and more. But Psilocybin is helping me beyond measures. I'm actually hopeful for the future for once

Great analogy And speech. A doctor that gives me hope! I know I’m doing the right thing but it’s always nice to hear encouragement and to keep plugging along. Thanks

God bless this man

Yes, tell me all about it, and thanks for being HONEST - Yes, I had a brain injury, and somewhat traumatic at that.

It's been about 11 since my TBI and I recognize changes all the time!

My sister suffered Brain injury thru being hospitalized with covid. The lack of oxygen and high fevers caused it. They diagnosed it as symmetrical basilar artery stroke. They told me she would probably not have her personality there no more, probably not be able to talk, no movement and so far my sister is talking more everyday. She remembers absolutely everything. He is starting to have some movement in her arms! At the moment we are struggling with putting her in therapy because of limitations on insurance. I had a dr say this is as far as she is getting and just start accepting the fact and see what other steps we are going to take. If there is any suggestions please help me out!

I am Brain Aneurysm survivor, 25/06/91, unlike my mum, who passed or a brain aneurysm 25/06/90. People keep telling me that, you can do what everyone else can do, they really have no idea. A colleagues son had an ABI, suddenly changed her tune, as she witnessed it first hand. Fortunately I got most of my cognitive abilities back, I can still pass the Mensa test.but am unable to go on most amusement park rides. Mates of mine like pointing out, at least they found mine, they can't prove they have a brain. Fortunate side of ABi, is we can prove we have

its a horrible nightmare losing you mind. No reliable memories, loss of independence, and the depression that goes along with it makes life not worth living. Not sure how much longer I can stand this.

Amen Sir. 4.5 years into my 2nd TBI (happened when I was 48) and it's still a daily, annoying pain in the ass. The first TBI was bad enough(2008) but I did recover a little better but the 2nd TBI has been much more of a challenge especially in the emotional department not to mention the headaches, fatigue, ringing in the ears. I suppose it will be possible to continue to improve but Im not very optimistic that I'll ever be the same person I was before 2012.

I had a TBI in 1989 as a child, and I've gone back to college, pulling up my GPA each semester. It's been inspirational to hear videos like this one. I've had a 2.8 my college career in Junior and Senior year. It's been a blessing to have been shown mercy the way the Lord has seen to me experiencing. The problem I had with my treatment was the amount of condonation I seemed to have experienced, like with marijuana smoking in a lot of places, doctors condone their patients to be intoxicated for much of the day, and I felt like I was being condoned by a treatment facility and recovery group or two to my detriment. These types of treatment facilities can be a burden on the individuals in them because of condonation of sinful behavior. I absolutely hate smoking grass because my body can't tolerate it. I'm not saying I was personally burdened with treatment that condoned marijuana, but they did seem to be a bit to loose in an area or two. Smoking grass was just an example. At the point in my life I ended up in such a facility, I could have done more for myself than they'd let me. But oh, I'm not well, I'm not well. Well, maybe our society isn't well, and I'd be glad to leave.

Ohh thank you. I needed to hear this. It’s been 10 long years.

My TBI accident happened 31 years ago. I was hit by a car while riding my moped. I've fully recovered but I lose my balance more than before my accident. It's always a good reminder and to be thankful for my recovery.

This is great. There is little help for those past hospital stay and for ones you can find, it cost lots... too much.

After my TBI, I have no hope for my future. But, saying something like that to people makes them stay away when what I really need is help. I don't know how to ask for help in any way. I'm losing everything.

This is so true. So many of us have had concussions, brain 🧠injury, and do not have access to rehab. I was traumatized after domestic violence, and told every doc about the multiple blows to my head. I was just offered meds. FF, years later, and I can add to my only dx of Epilepsy: Dystonia, Parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia, Akathisia,memory loss, and Serotonin Poisoning, and I've not been the same since. My neurologist has said no more meds. I never know when these movements will happen, but I am very blessed that they do not happen every day, but off and on. The inner Akathisia is getting worse, It's hell. I have been enduring that for 6 years now, it was caused by Serotonin Poisoning, meds taken as prescribed, I don't wish to live with this hellish affliction for the rest of my life. The PTSD is causing problems,remembering... And I can be angry all day, then be happy rarely. Then numb. This was NOT me before 2016...

I am not the same after my brain injury almost two years ago still dealing.with i cut everyone out of my life I am always isolated.always crying angry because I have lost my old self.and very sad about it.still coping with memories issues.I think everyone body is just different and heals different

Having had an aneurysm in 91, at times I can't explain, why some days in really up and other days can't be bothered. The only way, I feel I can communicate ,is through constant humour. Other people can't work it out if they haven't had an injury to the brain

There is God above for each one of us, put your faith and trust in him. Miracles happen, I have seen it personally happen for my son who underwent a major craniotomy n cranioplasty. Recovery is slow, but you will be cured. Remember Jesus is our healer🙏

My son was born with Severe HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) sustained during the birthing process. I hope and pray that my son ‘recovers’ and not just live, but become and independent, productive member of society. I hope but I’ve decided to no longer hold my breath. I have beautiful memories of how my father raised and molded me into the man I am today. It breaks my heart there is a chance I won’t be able to impart the same onto my son. My wife and I do everything we can in support of his treatment. I only hope…

Thank you for what you do to give hope and help.

I thought I had great insurance when I had a tumor explode in my brain … leaving me in a coma and causing all kinds of havoc. I had to learn how to literally do everything over again at an acute rehab center. My insurance kicked me out after 3 weeks. They could not even wait a couple more days to make sure my follow up MRI was clear. I had surgery to remove another brain tumor less than 3 weeks after I was kicked out of rehab by my insurance (thou I guess in the end, with the 3 week hospital stay prior to the rehab facility … I did rack up a huge bill … to which I paid a tiny $200 copay for it all). I was 32 at the time. People can say they understand, but unless you have gone through something that changes your brain for the rest of your life in a blink of an eye, at most, you can be understanding. Most people do not have the patience/empathy/are too stupid even to begin to understand just the facts about brain injuries. I am stubborn. I made adjustments to be able to live on my own, but I was angry. It was 16 years after this ordeal when my tumor started growing again. It will always be a constant (and silent) struggle to maintain the appearance of “normal.” I have to allow myself to cry and release the burden/stress of maintaining this outward appearance, else it will just break me.

depending on the severity of the damage I suppose recovery in time would be a possibility if the injury was quite mild..

My TBI was not properly diagnosed for a few years(it was 10 years ago). I remember going to a specialist and thinking I would be a waste of her time. She started telling me how my life was. I was blown away because she was spot on! I finally had to stop working, which has been devastating. I recently found watercolor painting and it feels like it’s starting to make connections.

My boyfriend left our house on his bike and then vanished for 11 days. On day 12 he was found wandering around outside. He knew his name and details from highschool age and before (he is 34 years old), but no clue what happened to him or anything recent. The first time I spoke to him he had no idea who I was. He asked if he'd been staying at my house... I was like, um, yeah we LIVE together and the day you disappeared you told me I was the love of your life. The whole drive to see him I just cried my eyes out. Once I got there his face lit up. He tell me it had been awhile since he'd seen me but he knew that I was someone that he loved dearly. Over the next few days he was able to remember how we met and that we were in a relationship and some other random details. He still does not remember where we live or what he did for work or anything like that. His memory is coming back very very slowly. This is one of the weirdest things I've ever experienced it felt like the Twilight zone having someone I'm in love with tell me that they don't remember me when I first talked to them... I am just so grateful that he is alive and recovering even though it's slow. ❤😢😊❤❤❤

This guy talks a lot of truth from what I've seen.

I’m still recovering and it’s hard….. I’ve had tbi for two years.

My wife is in a coma like state after having a hemorrhagic stroke.The Drs push me for hospice within hours of going in ER.They let her aneurysm bleed for six days before treating it.Julia deserves help.Since 02/16/23.

My son had overdose on a pill loaded with fetynal. His brain went without oxygen. No pulse no heartbeat but they brought him back. His thinking ability is all there and very smart. Speech is slow but can spell of trying to tell you his needs. Physically, can lift leg a bit and move one arm down. Can’t sit up at all. I’m praying he recovers physically. It’s been 6 months.

I hope someday if i could live longer maybe 20 or 30 years later i can reach the phase that my neuro fatigue wouldn't troubled me anymore. 🙁

when the brain starts hurting the recovery begins

This is my favorite tbi video ever! Ty for the positivity

Fell on my head at work in 2003. I was violent in and out of consciousness, Dr.'s put me in an induced coma for weeks. Don't remember 2004, couldn't sleep and didn't like to be around people. Now after all these years I still can't get to sleep and after my wife died I have become hermit.

I ve massive brain injury. Hemorragic stroke. Left. A year ago. Coma 2 months. I woke up. Now i remember things back. But when i unconscious until i woke up. I dont remember none! Who is coming. What im talking about with my friends who visited me. I almost blind. Cant eat. Cant breath. My last I rememebered. I vomited inside ambulance car several times. And cant breath Im no surgery. Its hard. Its deep insidw the hematoma

Brain aneurysm and stroke on the OR table as my neurosurgeon was trying to coil it in 2011. I was lucky i didn't come out with physical limitations but my executive function skills went haywire. Taking a shower, laundry, dishes, etc require so many steps we aren't aware of until we rly have to focus on them. I'm appx 60% better than i was but idt I'll ever be 100% again.

Wonderful doctor!!! Thank you!

Hi hope all going through this is doing well keeping strong keep going doing amazing things stay positive thinking of you all sending love from headway Nottingham UK x

Although my son has a hypoxic brain injury this gives me hope even though my son may have odds against him we must continue to be patient with rehab as new treatments continue to develop in the mean time

Thanks to Ryder Trauma Center / Jackson Memorial Hospital I am grateful to be alive. I am Marcelo Vidal and use to work at Pistils & Petals on Miami Beach, FL. and had my second night time job working on Venetian Lady Yacht Charters doing fabulous weddings and private parties for the rich and famous unfortunately on 10/17/15 this high speeding driver did not stop on his red light and crushed me in my car until firefighters arrived with, " Jaws of Life " rescued me out by boarding me on a Black Hawk Helicopter owned by Jackson Hospital which airlifted me Ryder Trauma Center / Jackson Memorial Hospital were I laid in coma for 29 days and stayed hospitalized for 6 months recovering from a fractured leg and Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI.. What saved my life was wearing my seatbelts as I am going to be doing therapy for the rest of my life and so grateful to be alive. I was released home wheel chair bound and wearing pampers because I could not comprehend until Brain Injury Association of Florida authorized therapy at American Pro-Health Physical Rehabilitation Center and by the Grace of God and the excellent therapy within a given me by Rafael GarciaOrtiz within a year or so I can walk, talk, comprehend and use the restroom.as I am grateful to be alive. By this time I was cleared to do Aquatic Therapy by Kelly Gomez Messett at Jackson Health System Recreation Therapy Neuro Group and had an awesome time swimming in an Olympic Pool as I am grateful to be alive. As I continue seeking Adaptive Rowing Therapy at Miami Beach Rowing Club while looking up I would to enjoy the beautiful South Florida weather as a crack of smile appears on my face knowing how thankful and grateful I am to be alive. During all this time till present date I have sessions with my Neuropsychologist Dr.Susan Ireland from the five inch head scare I have across my head that gives me constant pounding headaches with hallucinations and I can not take any medications because it would intensify my hallucinations so Dr. Ireland tought me this breathing counting exercise a form of meditation that has taken all my symptoms away as I have been DRUG-FREE NO MEDS for more than a year now as I continue doing therapy at Jackson Rehabilitation Hosp. continue my sessions with Dr. Ireland and attend TBI EXPRESSIONS CAFE/Recreation Therapy Neuro Group hosted by Kelly Gomez Messett every last Wednesday of the month at Diagnostic Building at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL.from 6:30pm-8 pm as I continue my daily therapies listening to tbi Music lovers and do LoveYourBrain YOGA- Meditation -BIKE/ELLIPTICAL/WALK as I am extremely grateful to be alive as I enjoy reading and listen to I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN with Dr. Sullivan & Brain Chat because I am extremely grateful to be alive.

I recently had a TBI back in The last day of September of last year. I was In the ICU for about 4 days just for precautionary reasons & close observation I got KO. I didn’t know I had a brain injury I fell asleep that night woke up extremely off balanced. I remember I got up to use the restroom I got scared I crashed into the wall & almost fell. I thought it was just because I was hungover didn’t help at all. Later on that evening I went to the hospital just to get checked out got some MRI’s that when they told me I had a TBI I was bleeding from my brain a tiny bit. I also can’t smell anything as a result & my sense of taste a bit as well. I still need to see my neurologist. Been on disability since sucks they take forever to pay you. 6 months later I’ve been taking it easy I went for a jog yesterday my head hurt a bit afterwards later on that evening eventually went away. Took my daughters for a walk today same thing. Honestly no one ever thinks it can happen to them. It’s crazy stay safe fellas.

Amazing!

yes we recover I'm a survivor I was hit by a car at the age of four and still have a dent in the front above my fourhead on the right side

I like the not being a burden on society comment, and of course the cost savings. I mean if you are poor and have no insurance......

When I was 13, I was standing on the running board of my friends truck when he decided to gun it. I held on so I didn't fall back, but then he slammed on the breaks. I was thrown forward and clotheslined by his rear view mirror. I hit the street head first and my skull drum rolled against the pavement. My eardrum ruptured instantly and I was laying in a pool of my own blood. I regained consciousness a few hours later in the hospital. I remember calling out, but I couldn't hear or see. All I could see , in my head, was a white expanse (it wasn't dark). They ended up having to sedate me because I was unresponsive. It took months for me to recover. It was about 4-6 months before I was able to walk down a flight of stairs. Academically, I was never the same. I'm still intelligent, but I struggle to grasp certain things. Even at a rudimentary level. I call it Swiss Cheese brain. Most people never notice, but if you're around me long enough you may catch a glimmer. The way I pronounce a word or struggle to grasp a grammar rule. Thankfully, most people who notice just assume it's an "accent". I like to think those parts of my brain still exist, but the roads have been destroyed. After 22 years though, I've never been able to fully recover.

I sought professional help and found none in East Texas because 1. I was not a child, 2. I was an accident victim so no one wanted to be called as a witness in a lawsuit, and 3. my personal insurer said it was not their responsibility to pay. I contemplated suicide several times, remember very little of the first 3 years after the injury, still have consequences, and could happily do injury to all the peopke who have told me I look okay.

My mother hit her head a couple of years back, now she has a constant noise in her head. She’s very depressed, drinks, is on new medication every other month and has no one to look after her. She talks about things like suicide. I live every day in fear that I might lose her. These events unfolded just as I moved out for university. When she is sad I hug her, but she just lies limp and cries with such misery. I feel hopeless.

I had two brain surgeries in 2016 & still can't get it together smfh.....

I am still recovering. I had injury in 1999, two surgeries later. Taking every day as it comes.

i have constant ringing in my ears and i am tired all the time. my brain injury and brain bleed was 14 months ago, im not better now than i was three months after the injury. its a like a nightmare that doesn't end and the mood swings are horrible.

Also says brain injuries never fully recover.

Don’t forget to always call on God y’all

Thank you for sharing your message!

I've had small 'strokes' since my TBI one durring a MRI (the girl running the scan was so excited, my neurotolight said it was normal and would go away - 6-2017 - I used to have them 10-20 times a day. They haven't let up, and Dr's want to start with testing but don't know why they are on going from time to time somedays nothing other days clusters. One step forward sometimes 3 steps back. And it's wait until my mind finds middle ground again.

God Bless you 🙏📖👸🇩🇴