It’s funny how the strangest things bring people together. Evie had acquired a brain injury from a tumor in 2000 and Kuna received a Traumatic Bain Injury from a motorcycle accident in 2006. We both received treatment when it occurred. Both of us being in our 20’s,...

Hi, my name is Daniel Cruz and I am 28 years old. I was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. When I was eleven years old I somehow contracted viral encephalitis. I was in Intensive Care for a month and in the hospital for another month and then in a...

“Now” — a poem by Jen Ayers

Meet Goob West—I am a fifteen (15) year survivor of severe traumatic brain injury. The recovery has been a complete uphill battle. “How long was my recovery?” you might ask. I will answer that question when it is over with. I will always be in the recovery process. I...

After my injury, it seemed difficult to fit in with others or to have them understand my speech. In “We’re Moving Forward” group, I can see the commonalities between all of the members. I love to actually feel like I fit in someplace and not feeling like a third wheel...

I have had two brain surgeries so far, first one I had when I was 7, second one I had at the age of 19, the reason why is I have a tumor called a cavernous malformation or “angioma” on the tip of my brain-stem. After I had surgery, I never knew I had a brain injury,...

I am from the small town of Spearman Texas, population of 2,916 at the time. I had been driving for about 4 months and worked at a privately-owned clothing store. Helping this one boy who seemed nice find some clothes, led to a friendship and almost killed me. He...

Hi, my name is Samantha, but you can call me Sam.  I had an ear tumor when I was four which led to a learning disability resulting in poor cognitive learning skills throughout elementary, middle school, high school and college.  To this day I still have poor cognitive...

My name is John and I suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident on March 10, 2007. I spent a good time thereafter in the hospital and different rehab programs. It’s been a long and difficult journey since. Trying to rebuild my friend base has...

On Saturday February 6, 2010 I woke up at night with nausea, vomiting, weakness… it felt like the flu… no, I think I had this before. It felt like the food poisoning I got during my global travels. My wife said, “Should I take you to a Hospital?” I said, “No call the...

Hi, my name is Diana. I had a stroke when I was two weeks old. My family and I have been there for each other through it all. My brain injury is a little different than others because I have had mine essentially my whole life. My stroke has affected me cognitively and...

Sandra and I had only been married for a little over a year when our lives were changed forever.  In December of 2005, Sandra had a blood vessel which burst in her head causing a stroke leaving left side weakness.  Luckily, Sandra had already been admitted to the...