Emily Aisner-Cortez

It all started with a long-term ice hockey run from ages 5 until 23. I fell in love with the game after my dad taught me how to skate, coached my teams and felt a sense of freedom and electricity while on the ice. However, as a goalie – being knocked down, hit in the head with pucks, and collisions, you are bound to have repeated concussions. When I would experience the migraine, nausea, dizziness, loss of balance, and fatigue following these events, I didn’t take the time to rest. I went right back onto the ice and continued to play. Impact after impact, I developed long-term migraines, anxiety, memory loss, sleep issues, and chronic nausea.

In 2018, I was in a major car accident where I sustained head, neck, and shoulder injuries. This TBI was the “final straw.” Medications, physical therapy, procedures, and speech therapy became a regular part of my life – but created a sense of gratitude: I had the resources to manage my long-term injury.

I have earned a college degree in Natural Science and am in my last semester of my Psychology degree. Brain injuries impact cognition, so I feel fresh in the morning and am running on empty by the mid-afternoon.

I have had others tell me that I have no chance in a career due to my symptoms and how much they impact my life. This has motivated me to work harder to try my best and my hope is to show others that any progress is progress.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. All of this has led me to the person I am today. The perspective on life, the understanding of others, the motivation to help my fellow survivors has been my goal in life. While I struggle with physical, mental and cognitive pain every day, I become stronger in the storm.

If you recently sustained a brain injury or are suffering from long term battles or post-concussion syndrome – I want to encourage you that you’re never alone. We survivors must stick together.

Give grace to those who don’t understand your situation. Although they mean well, they may come across as insensitive. It may be frustrating, but this is our chance to spread awareness about our injuries.

Keep your head up. Believe in yourself. Treasure the simple things in life and know that I am rooting for you always. We got this.