Never Give Up with Brain Injury

Stories about Never Giving Up after Brain Injury

The following are stories of real life survivors of brain injury.  Clicking on the titles will take you to their actual story.

The TBI Voices Story Begins

So here I am ready to begin again determined to find a different path and another way of defining success.

The TBI Voice Can be a Voice of Despair

The fight for my former self is over. I would like to begin a new life. I have no doubt that it will be a more difficult fight, but I am determined to be a warrior to the end.

Insight into Oneself is Changed by Brain Damage

Because I can explain so well to someone what I professionally or otherwise, should be doing, so they are confused why I just don’t do it. The answer is I don’t know how. I can say that to people but they don’t see that part. They see someone who is running all of the time, never sitting down, so obviously I am getting something accomplished. And I do, and I have made progress, small progress. It is enough to make me want to keep going. it is difficult because I know it will never be the same.

Depression, Anxiety and Survival after Traumatic Brain Injury

Because I can explain so well to someone what I professionally or otherwise, should be doing, so they are confused why I just don’t do it. The answer is I don’t know how. I can say that to people but they don’t see that part. They see someone who is running all of the time, never sitting down, so obviously I am getting something accomplished. And I do, and I have made progress, small progress. It is enough to make me want to keep going. it is difficult because I know it will never be the same.

Don’t Ever Give Up After Brain Injury

Betty states; “I’d like to tell brain injury survivors that first thing is don’t ever give up, just don’t ever give up. In therapy I, there were three people that gave up and it was very difficult. Work as hard as you can and just know that the therapists and the people, the professionals that you’re working with are not trying to take away from you, they’re trying to build up what you already have to make you a contributing member of society and just always keep working and just always holdin your memory that you’re the best that you can be and that tomorrow you’re gonna find something else that you’re gonna be better at and just continue to improve and always try to keep a positive mental attitude, that’s a big thing too.”

Betty – Don’t Ever Give Up

Betty concludes with words for the brain injury community, both survivor and family that one must never give up, be the best you can be today and that tomorrow you will be even better.

Gina: A Remarkable Boss Speeds Return to Work

Gina reiterates her bosses thoughts; “Like I said, I think he probably had to correct me a couple of times but he kept me going and kept saying, you know you’re improving, you’re not going to give up because you’re going to lay on the couch and die.”

Gina Concludes – On Being a Self Advocate

As with self-advocacy, the key is never giving up. She says: “I don’t want to say things will get better. They don’t always get better. What you got to do is do what you can to adapt. Hopefully get people around you that are going to at least be empathetic, maybe not understand. Find where your weaknesses are and I guess do what you can. Try to do what you can to improve the situation.” Her husband agrees and states; “Well a lot of it is time and be patient. It’s not going to be better over night and it is a life changing experience. You’re going to have to deal with things that change with your significant other.

Jerimiah – Conclusion Keeping the Good Parts

You just keep pushing. Sometimes it’s just work and well I shouldn’t say that. All the time it is work but sometimes it feels like that’s all it is. But you have to try to keep it in the back of your mind and in your front of your mind and all throughout your mind that it is worth it and it will be worth it.

Kelly Concludes – TBI Recovery Happens But Friends Need to Help

Kelly’s shares her advice for TBI survivors and caregivers: “Be aware that you should never give up, never quit, always keep heading forward, because it doesn’t matter what happens – you’re going to get where you’re supposed to be. It might just be a change in direction, but you will get there. And just understand that your family loves you; your friends, they will come back around. They may have been just acquaintances, but your friends, your true friends you’ll find.You will get those things that you want in life; it will just take time. You might have to change direction to get on the proper road to get there, but just realize that it takes time. Just stand with it, because you will get there, it will come back. The body is made to come back.

Lethan’s Advice to Survivors and Caregivers of Severe Brain Injury 

So 11 years later, what advice would you give to the 17-year-old Lethan on January 5, 2000, when the celebration’s over?: “Don’t accept trying to think I know what I’m trying to say but I’m just trying to put words to it. The simple wayis to say don’t give up but I mean more than that. I mean more don’t, don’t accept that you are any less of a person. Don’t, don’t believe that you are any less of a person. Recognize that you’ve got some new difficulties that you’re going to have to work through and I can say all these things but I heard all those things, too, and I don’t know if there’s really anything I could say to the 17-year-old Lethan, I’d just have to be there and really show love and caring for myself. I’d, I’d have to   yeah, I think that’s the main thing is really just show that love and caring, be there.”

Lori-The Thesis of Her Story

What would you like to add to that?: “That I never gave up. I refused to give up. Even today, as you can see, like I said, I’ve republished my book and now I’m doing the audio version of my book. I’m not going to give up. I think, yeah, that’s it. Don’t give up.” Did you almost give up at any point?: “I probably, I’m sure I gave up within myself personally, I personally gave up. I’m sure I said to myself, and I know I did when I was doing the book, and a couple times during classes and stuff I, I sat and, you know, this is crazy, or this is stupid or, or I don’t like this. But in the global picture, in the whole picture I couldn’t give up. I did in college, I went to my occupational therapy counselor more times than I can count and he had to bring it to my attention that I went to him after every test and I was insecure about it. So I could’ve given up, and I know I did come close but no, I never, never gave up.” How do you help someone else not to give up?: “I’m hoping that in seeing that not giving up worked for me and, and telling other people how happy I am, sincerely, how happy I am and how much I really enjoy every day, and that’s because that I didn’t give up, that that’ll help other people to not give up.

Mike Conclusion – Words for Others Impacted by Severe Brain Injury

Is there anything that you may want to share about what you guys have been through in the last eight months that might be able to help other spouses with that waiting, that fighting back with the doctors tell you there’s no hope?: “Just a lot of hope and prayer. You know, we’re not big churchgoers or anything but I believe there is a God above and he will take care of you and everything happens for a reason. I believe that and life is good if one doesn’t weaken. I believe that and I would say that every day to myself.”