"It was February 1, 2014, on a calm sunny Saturday afternoon around 2:30 pm. I received a sub arachnoid hemorrhage on my frontal lobe. After being on the job for two years as a Corrections Officer in a maximum security Prison, I was brutally attacked by an inmate. Only 31 minutes into my shift on my Friday I let him out of his cell for a regular shower. I would be dead if another inmate didn't call for help. After 2 ½ weeks in the hospital I was released to go home and attended outpatient therapy for the next 3 years.
I have difficulty caring for my children independently. I have a hard time with loud noises, keeping up with TV shows, keeping up with conversations, remembering to eat, I experience brain fog, I cannot walk too far. Depression, loss of self, loss of a career, I only drive locally. Grocery store runs are a nightmare, I can go on and on.
We are survivors and have gotten a second chance to recreate.
Eligia, TBI Survivor
I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel even if you cannot see it yet. Letting go of the old and accepting the new gets easier by the day. Work your way through the fight and you will get closer than you were the first day after your TBI.
It's not about going back to normal, but making room for accepting your new flaws and finding a way to reconnect with who you are now! We are survivors and have gotten a second chance to recreate. I found new abilities like painting, sketching, and I plan on writing a book as well.
All the pieces might be scrambled but you don't have to overwhelm yourself to pick them all back up at the same time. It's ok to recreate!"
-Eligia, TBI Survivor
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