Star Smith
Years ago, I slipped and fell on a patch of ice and hit the back of my head on the pavement. This resulted in a traumatic brain injury, 7 different therapies, years of healing and learning.
If I had to summarize my brain injury journey in one word, the word would be disruptive because of how much it impacted my life and my confidence. As time moved on, the word has been replaced with gratitude. I am so grateful for my life, my ability to slow down, and my priority to take care of me.❤️
My life’s trajectory has drastically changed since my fall – I’ve learned to be patient with myself, listen to my needs, and speak up when I need to take a break. As someone who has always been high energy, optimistic, and positive, learning to give myself grace has been a true gift for my healing.
Some of the common myths or misconceptions that others tend to have about people who have a brain injury stems from simply lacking awareness. Many think it could never happen to them or assume brain injuries look one way.
Brain injuries can result in a wide range of symptoms or issues for each person – not all brains heal the same.
Education and compassion are so important and with awareness more support can be shared.
Knowing what I know now about my brain injury and my recovery, there things I wish I had done differently early on – such as not putting so much pressure on myself to heal and bounce back so quickly. It takes time for the brain to heal. I would also be more willing to share my story sooner – so many people need encouragement and hope!
Also, I would have accepted help sooner. I was so overwhelmed and embarrassed that I fell in the first place and wanted to try to do it all on my own. Thinking back, I would have been more open to support because it’s a blessing to have it, and honestly, I needed it.
The advice I would give to someone who recently had a brain injury is to try to be as grateful as you can for you life and for any little blessing you can find. I used my faith and the ABCs of gratitude activity every single day to help me focus on progress instead of challenges.
Every small step matters. Be proud of how far you’ve come.