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Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Angela Peacock's Journey from Treatment to Healing

A black and white portrait of Angela Peacock looking to the left

Retired United States Army Sergeant Angela Peacock shares how a service dog, an RV, and Wounded Warrior Project helped heal her post-traumatic stress (PTSD).

Do state supports for persons with brain injury affect outcomes in the 5 Years following acute rehabilitation?

Silhouette of a head with the United States in the center of a target inside

State-level resources and supports have a small but significant impact on outcomes following serious TBI. Better Long-Term Services and Supports increase community participation and life satisfaction.

March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month, But What Does That Mean?

If you are anything like me, when you or your loved one are first given a diagnosis, you research. There is so much information available online, it can be overwhelming or frustrating to know which is accurate, but I find research helpful in being able to report or advocate to doctors for both myself and my loved ones.

Even a Mild Concussion Could Cause Long-Term Problems

Female doctor holds a tablet with an image of a brain speaking with a seated male patient

A new study published in Neurology dispels the notion that "mild" concussions have no lasting impact on mental skills like thinking, remembering, and learning. Poor cognitive outcomes are common 1 year after injury.

Healing from PTSD – Enter: Vulnerability and Courage

Soldier at sunset with text: Vulnerability is our greatest measure of courage — Brené Brown

One lesson I have learned since I started meditating is the connection between courage and vulnerability. Yes, vulnerability. I know, it sounds like the antithesis of everything related to being a SEAL, but I have come to understand that while vulnerability and courage aren’t necessarily the same thing, it takes courage to show vulnerability and, in turn, as you show more vulnerability, you actually become more courageous.

Brain Injury Recovery Realities and Reasons for Hope

David and his wife smiling in a wintery forest

Amazingly, this is my 100^th article for Brainline, and I want to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way — things I wish someone had told me early on. Some are painful truths that took me time to accept, others unexpected joys and blessings that have come with the journey.

Heroes Also Need Heroes – Robbed of a Chance at Combat, Marine Joins Another Fight

Sherman Gillums Jr. speaking into a podium microphone

I believed in heroes growing up, even though I saw very few, if any, up close. Heroes existed in comic books and television shows, or in the real lives of others. Not in my life. I saw the world as one big jungle where survival meant hoping the lion would spare me and those I loved, rather than having the strength to resist being eaten. The only way to stop any abuse I saw as a kid was to run from it. Cry about it. Then try to forget it. No heroes. Just a desire to be one every time I left my home, even as I often felt powerless to make life safer for my mom and younger siblings.

Helping to Heal from PTSD by Reframing My Story and Removing the Mask of Masculinity

Young soldier holding a mask of a strong face while crying and holding his weapon

When you’re a man in society — not to mention a Navy SEAL in special operations — you are taught that the best (only) option is to be the strong, silent type. You can’t let your emotions control you. You can’t be sad, or too happy. Really, the only acceptable emotions for the masculine persona are stoicism and anger.

Self-Care Through Singing: Trauma, Resilience, and Representation in Musicals

Stacey Shade-Ware smiles at the camera with music stands, a microphone, and others in the background

I will admit when I first watched Encanto I was not terribly impressed, though the songs in Miranda’s signature style are quite catchy. I have two little girls, 3 and 5, and for those of you with children or grandchildren, you know that they must watch something like Encanto again and again and again. So, suffice it to say, I had the opportunity to really listen and pay attention to the story more than once.

The risk of concussion lurks at the Super Bowl – and in all other sports

Football players face each other on a field, photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sports

Over the past two decades, researchers have gained a great deal of insight into the risks surrounding concussions – some of which has led to sweeping policy changes.

Disaster news on TV and social media can trigger post-traumatic stress in kids thousands of miles away – here’s why some are more vulnerable

Exposure to videos of disasters can trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms in some children.

Angela Peacock stands in her Army dress uniform in front of a tall bright red and dark green azalea.

A Dog and the Open Road: One Veteran's Prescription for PTSD

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Angela Peacock's Journey from Treatment to Healing.

Life After Brain Injury: No One Recovers Alone

David Grant and his wife wearing sunglasses, smiling in front of a tropical lagoon

It’s not a stretch to say that without my sife, Sarah, I never would have made it. While I can be overly dramatic — as she can attest — I need to get serious for a moment. No kidding around: the early years after my brain injury sucked. In fact, they were the worst years of my life.

Insomnia Symptoms Common in First Year Following TBI

Woman lies awake in bed with a clock above her reading 3:06am

What is the natural history of insomnia in the 12 months after traumatic brain injury (TBI)? In the analysis of over 2,000 adults from a large cohort study, insomnia was common during the 12 months after TBI and should be assessed early in recovery.

Concussion management is changing as more research suggests exercise is best approach

Young soccer player winces as she touches her head, consoled by an older woman facing her

Concussion patients were once prescribed rest in a dark room, but in recent years concussion management has literally come out of the dark.

An invisible epidemic: Survivors of domestic violence on living with traumatic brain injury

A woman stands alone in a darkened room, holding her head in her hand

The suffering caused by domestic violence is emotional, spiritual and physical. But there's one aspect of that suffering that is almost invisible.

Veteran Paul Downs tries to live in the present

Veteran Paul Downs talks about spending time living in the present. No more, "It will be better when..." or "It will be easier when..." and the past can't be changed.

What you learn repeating the Boulder Crest program

Veteran Paul Downs talks about repeating the Boulder Crest program and what that means for posttraumatic growth.

Hitting rock bottom with PTSD and finding Boulder Crest

While dealing with PTSD veteran Paul Downs hit rock bottom and found himself turning to Boulder Crest to help pull him out of the hole.

New Year! New Me? Ha! Not with PTSD

Russ Ware (left) and Grandpa Russ Ware (right) in an antique car museum

In the past, Russ and I would celebrate across oceans and time zones, sometimes a half hour off. Yes, really. Afghanistan is nine-and-a-half hours ahead of the east coast, 10-and-a-half from Texas. It was wild trying to sync up schedules but I would never turn down a 3AM-my-time video chat. I am grateful we don’t have to contend with that any longer. But Russ being home hasn’t made the transition from 2021 to 2022 any easier.