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Building Resilience after Brain Injury

Categories: Living with Brain Injury, THE Challenge!

By BIAA Brain Injury Advisory Council members Stacia Bissell, Paul Bosworth, Darcy Keith, Kelly Lang, Cazoshay Marie, Kellie Pokrifka, Carole Starr, Angela Leigh Tucker

Brain injury can leave us feeling lost, like every part of our lives has been drastically affected. Many of us are overwhelmed by the questions of what our lives will look like now, and how we should take our next steps.

Building resilience is a key part of moving forward after brain injury. As members of BIAA’s Brain Injury Advisory Council, we live these challenges every day. Here is what we’ve learned about being resilient:

  1. Accept & Celebrate the New You: Many people struggle to come to terms with their “new self” after brain injury. It is a lengthy process to grieve the many losses of brain injury, learn to accept yourself and get to know who you are now. Focus on what you can do rather than what you cannot do. This can help you move forward with your life.
  2. Find Support: Living with brain injury is a team effort. You may need assistance, so remember that it’s OK to reach out for support and help, no matter where you are in your journey.
  3. Focus on Small Steps: It can be overwhelming to try and figure everything out all at once. By taking small steps, celebrating victories, and allowing yourself grace when things do not go according to plan, the big picture will gradually come together.
  4. Find Gratitude/ Silver Linings: When each day is filled with so many challenges, like cognitive symptoms, emotional/physical pain, and more, life can feel unbearable. Learning to persevere and find beauty and happiness in your days – even when you feel they are significantly more difficult than your “before” days – can help reignite that light in your life. Keep track of specific things you’re grateful for each day. Consider recording them in a gratitude journal or a gratitude jar and reflect back on those things on challenging brain days.
  5. Expand your World: At first, the magnitude of brain injury takes over your life, but eventually you can discover your own definition of normal. Living in the world with a disability is challenging, but eventually you learn how to pave a new path forward. Be patient with yourself. The brain injury journey is long and full of ups and downs.
  6. Find a New Sense of Purpose: A life changed does not have to mean a life ruined. After a brain injury, you may need to revise your dreams and discover a different path. Experiment with new activities and hobbies. Learn who you are now and find what resonates with your new self.

Life after brain injury can feel isolating and overwhelming. Know that you are not alone in these feelings. Remember that these feelings do not have to be forever. Consider trying these strategies to help yourself move forward to build a new, expanded world. You can do this. We support you.

To view the full Resiliency Series, visit https://www.youtube.com/@bia_usa.

This article originally appeared in Volume 18, Issue 1 of THE Challenge! published in 2023.