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You have selected:Traumatic Brain Injury Personal Stories and Blogs

2,802 Days: My Son, His Truck, and TBI Seizures

Nicole and her son Taylor smiling at the camera.

Taylor’s pickup truck represented Taylor’s work ethic, his expression of masculinity, his love for country music, and a space of fun memories and experiences. Perhaps most glaringly, it represented something Taylor feels he has lost — his freedom. The decision to sell it came after another night of seizures.

Brain Injury — An Unexpected COVID-19 Consequence

David Grant and his wife smiling at the camera.

From all aspects of the pandemic, societal as well as scientific, we are still only months into learning the full scope of life after COVID-19. But I have a feeling that some people may be dealing with cognitive challenges for the rest of their lives.

Using My Post-TBI Voice to Fight Racism

David Grant and his wife wearing black face masks.

In the early years after my 2010 TBI, I had to relearn the fine art of speaking. That took a year.

But it took much longer for me to regain my voice.

The Pandemic and Brain Injury — Maintaining Emotional Health by Staying in the Moment

COVID-19 has ended those routines that made getting through the day so much easier for someone with brain injury. The effects have been challenging on some days and completely devastating on others.

Thank You Rehab Nurses for the Lessons Along the Way

Nicole looking into camera with pals together in front of her chest.

COVID-19 has left many caregivers struggling with the emotional pressures of isolation. Nicole remembers a pivotal conversation about the inevitability of change and offers some advice on ways to find some comfort and calm in these difficult times.

Remapping the Neural Pathways of Humanity

The pandemic has changed the daily lives of everyone. How we work, how we shop, and how we interact with each other are all shifting. Comparing life as it is now with how it used to be can lead to sadness or despair and what's called "ambiguous loss."

Social Distancing & Isolation — A Survivor’s Perspective

David and his wife smiling at the camera

David talks about the social isolation caused by the coronavirus and how those in the brain injury community have been coping with it for years.

An Overwhelmed Inspiration

Someone recently told me these kind words, “You inspire me.” I looked in the mirror feeling anything but inspiring...The word was OVERWHELMED.

Three Truths

My blog is titled Permission to Tell the Truth in an effort of honoring my feelings, not denying them. The actual act of truth telling is challenging. It hurts. Here we’ve established a relationship of trusting support. I’d like your continued permission to be open and real.

PTSD & TBI: Seven Life-Changing Letters

David Grant and his wife smiling at camera

When I was struck by a teenage driver back in 2010, I sustained a traumatic brain injury. In addition to my TBI, four new letters became forever intertwined with my brain injury: PTSD. Over the years, PTSD has proven to be harder to live with than a brain injury.

Depression After Brain Injury – An Unexpected Outcome

My brain injury journey has come with many unexpected twists and turns, making it an experience that is truly stranger than fiction. Many of the changes that came to pass after my brain injury were incredibly painful and life-changing. But not all the changes were difficult. Some were – dare I say – simply wonderful.

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Feeling a Part of – Not Apart From: The Power of TBI Support Groups

Creating a feeling of community, inclusion, and understanding is part of the power of support groups. The holiday season illustrates just how impactful that support can be.

The Greatest Gifts

Taylor Bingaman with plaques showing pine tree carvings

As I moved throughout 2019 I asked myself, “What could people give survivors that would actually feel meaningful? What kinds of offerings and interactions provide a lasting impression?”

The Far Reaches of Traumatic Brain Injury and Grief

While my thoughts should have been carefree during our summer vacation at our favorite North Carolina beach, each day as I took in the vastness of the ocean, I was reminded of the far reaches of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and grief.

Hugs and Hard Truths

My name is Nicole Bingaman. I am a mother to three sons, all in their twenties. Our oldest son, Taylor, suffered a catastrophic brain injury seven years ago. There are some hard truths I’ve discovered about myself over the years. Please know some of them require great courage to share with you.

5 Important Qualities of My Son’s TBI Healthcare Team

Nicole Bingaman three-quarter black and white photo

A gentleman asked me, “Looking back at the beginning of your journey, what could have been done on the healthcare team's end to help you?” Taking a deep breath, I realized the question was an open door. I wasn’t sure I felt fully prepared to walk through it. I’ve pondered this question since then and want to share five qualities of healthcare providers that left an impression on me.

I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know

Something that I talk less about these days is how brain injury still affects me. And there are times, times like I am about to share, that brain injury still rears its ugly head, and leaves me completely bewildered and baffled.

Staying Healthy Beyond Brain Injury

For close to nine years, I’ve been working on navigating life as a brain injury survivor. Thankfully, as time passes, my life as a brain injury survivor has gotten easier. Like any human being with a heartbeat, though, I have other health issues. These are health issues that need my attention and constant care. It is at the intersection of brain injury and some of my other health concerns where things can get very dicey.

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Acceptance

Finding acceptance after a brain injury isn't easy. "For a long while, I bucked against our reality. I found myself caught between what I had once known and an uncertain future. The in-between caused marked turmoil. As much as I didn’t want to accept Taylor’s brain injury as part of our lives, it is. As much as I wish it didn’t affect Taylor and our family … it does."

Joey's Story: The Hope of Fly Fishing

Joey Maxim's story of finding hope through fly fishing

For 16-year-old Joey Maxim, the way back to life after a near-fatal car accident started with a fly rod in his hand.

Living with an Invisible Disability

None of these challenges is blatant to the naked eye, but spend a bit of time with me, and you’ll learn soon enough that I’m not as normal as I look. Such is the nature of being invisibly disabled.

9 Strategies to Optimize Post-Brain Injury Recovery

There are no guarantees, but there are smart choices and strategies that can optimize recovery after brain injury The following is a list I compiled as my answer to the many people in the beginning stages of brain injury who have asked about my success over the years. I hope it helps.