A Voice for Traumatic Brain Injury Craig Sears Page 2 of 2

Somehow, I survived and was released in 2003. Once again I needed a place to call home. After nearly 20 years of waiting and being turned down, I turned to a local Congressman's office for help. Within two months, they cut through the red tape and I finally received recognition of my TBI. I was accepted into a HUD subsidized housing unit.

Life though continues to be a struggle. I have few options, and fewer choices. I am very uncertain of my future. I still want the American Dream, but it feels further away than ever. I want to be hopeful, but I know all too well how quickly good can go bad in life. So I try my best to help those with TBI get the help we need.

In 2009, I found my voice for TBI. In January, I was approached by the Sarah Jane Brain Project. The Brain Project heard about me and my story, and they have since used that as part of a nationwide campaign to show an example of what can happen when brain injury goes untreated. It's been an honor and a privilege to be a part of their historic and ground-breaking work. In the months since then, I've appeared with Patrick and Sarah Jane Donohue in Washington, DC twice. I've even gotten to present my story at the United States Capitol for the announcement of the PABI List of State Lead Centers. I've also taken part in their nationwide PABI Hero's Tour in Boston, New York, Chicago, and Dallas. Everywhere I go in my travels, I meet new people. And my story seems to resonate with all who hear it. My advocacy started as a means to overcome my own difficulties. Now, it's become my mission to make sure that no one else has to go through what I have.

From Craig Sears' personal MySpace page. Edited and used wtih permission. www.myspace.com/searscraig. www.youtube.com/user/craigsearstbi.
 

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