My miracle

In March 2012, I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. In the ambulance, I was resuscitated once. When I arrived to the hospital, I was resuscitated a second time, placed on life-support and given two hours to live. I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, blood clots that began in my legs and traveled to my lungs. The clots were so severe that I lost oxygen and blood flow to my brain and body. This caused me to experience an anoxic brain injury. I was 25 years old when my brain injury happened and my life changed drastically. At the time I was hospitalized, I had just gotten a new job, in a new city and a new apartment. As a recent college graduate, that was one of my many goals. This chapter of my life was taken from me in an instant. I went from independent to dependent. My injury caused me to have to start my life all over again. I lost all of my mobility, had a feeding tube and went completely blind. For several years I had speech, physical, cognitive and occupational therapy. I also had seizures and was eventually diagnosed with Epilepsy caused by my injury.

As a brain injury survivor, I have learned a lot about myself. I found strength that I never knew I had, I found ways to cope and uplift myself despite my circumstances. Learning to count my blessings over these years was a huge turning point in my new life and my new found happiness. Along the way, I received medical reports that I didn’t want, I rebuked them and keep going anyway. The new outlook of life I grew into paid off! When an eye doctor told me my vision would never get better I told her I did not receive that and it’s what I meant. I spoke boldly and today my vision has healed.

I am unique! This mindset makes me feel good, encouraged and empowered! I took my power back, I live with limitations but they don’t define me!