Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

I am a traumatic brain injury survivor as well as a master’s level rehabilitation counselor. Throughout my lifetime, I have taught myself how to overcome many insurmountable odds. These strategies have helped me to prosper and succeed.

Per my traumatic brain injury, at the age of 10, I was in a motor vehicle accident. Upon impact — the Cadillac hitting our VW Beetle — I was thrown forward from where I sat, behind my father who was driving. On my way forward, I snapped my left femur on my Dad’s bucket seat and then hit the windshield. When my head hit the windshield, I sustained an open skull fracture. The injury to my brain resulted in my remaining in a coma for 3 weeks. Upon waking from what I thought was a bad dream, I found my left leg elevated and in traction. Slowly, it became apparent that I was not merely in a bad dream.

Although I am unable to remember much from that time in my life, one memory stands out. The right side of my forehead — where the fracture occurred — was depressed inward like a shallow bowl. I later learned that my right frontal lobe had been damaged, that I had sustained a severe brain contusion, and that my brain stem had been impacted.

In 1967 neurological rehabilitation was not available. As a result, I was virtually on my own. I had to re-teach myself how to walk, talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences. Although my injuries were life threatening and I was not expected to succeed beyond high school, I went on to obtain both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I have learned that daunting pessimism and negativity is pointless.

My complete story is available on my blog under “My Journey thus Far.”

On February 6, 2007, I decided to start a blog called Second Chance to Live. It presents topics that motivate encourage and empower the reader. As a TBI survivor, I can speak from my experience, strength and hope. As a professional I provide information to encourage, motivate and empower both disabled and non-disabled individuals. Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up. Second Chance to Live empowers the readers to live life on life’s terms.

My hope is that through visiting my blog, those individuals who may have lost hope will see a new light. This light will in turn guide them to a renewed hope, an array of possibilities, and a new zest for living.

Please share my site with both disabled and non-disabled individuals.

Thank you for your time and kindness,

Respectfully yours,

Craig P.