Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

As a young, ambitious, adventure seeking college student at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, I made plans with fellow classmates to attend a concert in North Carolina on a weekend, so as to not interfere with my studies. I recall attending a fraternity party the night before and going to bed, not too late, so I would be prepared for the long drive the next morning.

The next thing I truly remember was the wallpaper in my hospital room fourteen (14) days after our adventure began. I still was unaware of what had occurred and on day eighteen (18) was air ambulanced home to a hospital in Clearwater, FL. At this point, I remember my best friend’s mother on her hands and knees painting my toe nails and I wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing, but I was just going to let her keep doing it!

Next, I attempted to get up and walk and crash, I fell down. My brain did not send my legs the message to carry my weight and move me. It wasn’t until this time, that I realized that I couldn’t walk or talk. This is where my true journey began.

I learned that we had been involved in a serious automobile accident on a South Carolina highway and I was at the point of impact. I was the only one seriously injured and I lapsed into a nine (9) day and two (2) hour coma and my fate was unknown. I sustained a coup countercoup injury to the brain, which caused bruising and a traumatic brain injury.

Although I learned of this incident, I honestly did not understand the severity, which was in a way, a blessing in disguise! I thought, after winter break, in two weeks, I was going to return to my studies at Emory University. My dorm room was on the third floor of a building without an elevator and I couldn’t walk yet. After starting out whispering, and eventually speaking, my mother asked me, “How I expected to get to my room?” All I said in response was, “You put me at the bottom of those stairs and you watch.” This attitude is what ultimately enabled me to reach my goals!

Then came the long, treacherous road of rehabilitation. According to every doctor that I spoke with, there was a prevailing uncertainty that I would return to a Community College. Returning to Emory University was out of the question. Before this accident, I was very skilled in math and it was my favorite subject. In rehab, I had to re-learn to do subtraction! This was very difficult to an individual that had been used to not studying and achieving only A’s. But I was very determined to accomplish my goals.

Along with the attitude, I had huge support along the way. I acknowledge and understand that after the first eighteen (18) days of sustaining my life in South Carolina was completed, attitude and support were the keys to my recovery. I was having groups of around fifty (50) people come in multiple times an evening to see me and encourage me through this episode in my life.

I also am very aware of how this affected my family’s life, as well as my own. My mother slept in a hospital chair that turned into a bed for forty seven (47) days because she didn’t want to leave me. My father came nightly after work and friends came hourly, as well. The support offered from loving family and friends is priceless in a dire situation.

Another example of how attitude affects outcome came when within my first week back in Clearwater an eye doctor came in to talk to me and began by telling me that I may end up blind in my right eye forever. My father heard this and stopped him and asked to speak with him in the hallway. While he was out there, my father told him that since I had just turned nineteen (19) years old the week before, he in no way wanted him to tell me the worst possible scenarios. Acknowledging his request, the doctor came back in and finished speaking with me without giving me the gravest possibilities. I went back six (6) months later to see this eye doctor for a check up and he cried with joy in his office. I believe the power of attitude and belief really affects the outcome!

Finally, after forty seven (47) days inpatient, I was able to walk out of the hospital on that last day! This begun my seven (7) months of out patient rehabilitation. The bus would arrive at 8 a.m. and bring me home daily at 5 p.m. There were eight (8) different topics of rehabilitation that I participated in ranging from physical therapy to recreational therapy to life skills. Each day brought new challenges and the biggest hurdle was accepting that life had changed and if I wanted to accomplish my goals, I needed to change, as well.

Along with the rehabilitation during the summer of 1998, I attended a Community College to make up the missed classes from the semester of college that I was home rehabbing. I would go to rehab in the morning and classes in the evening. I accomplished this obstacle and in the fall of 1998, was able to return to Emory University much to the surprise of many doctors. Of course, working with Emory University, we set up several safety nets before I could return. My physical rehab may have come to an end, but I was very aware of the need to still have a support system up in Atlanta, GA.

After finishing and walking with my original graduating class at Emory University, I stayed in Atlanta, for four more years, working and taking a break from the grind. My goal life long goal was to become an attorney, but every doctor told me that this was an out of reach dream now. Finally, I decided to get serious with this goal of becoming an attorney and returned to the Tampa Bay area to attend Stetson University of Law. Along with my Juris Doctorate Degree, I also obtained a joint Masters of Business Degree.

So, I am here to tell you that with the right attitude and support, your goals and dreams are possible. Additionally, never let anyone tell you that something is out of your reach. With determination and will, anything is achievable.