How a Simple Concussion Changed My Life

After fainting in a gym shower because of a heart condition episode and hitting my head on the tile floor, the life changes that affected me were not very dramatic. The summertime and absence of the need of concentration did not concern me or initially strike me as something I could not shake. Only after my second concussion caused by a near car accident two months later did I have to come to terms with the lasting effects of what most people think is an unconcerning injury. Both my short-term and long-term memory was affected, my concentration became nonexistent, and my persistent headaches continued well beyond the average length of post-concussive symptoms. My mild traumatic brain injury impacted me more than I ever thought possible and I am still trying my best to combat the stubborn symptoms. As a college student, I know how impossible it feels to be successful and “normal” in a state of mind that only makes you want to give up. Persistence has been the most difficult aspect of this journey though I have learned and grown more than I ever thought possible. I look forward to sharing some pictures this month with the #ChangeYourMind campaign and making sure everyone knows how to take care of themselves and others after sustaining any kind of brain injury.