"Another Fork in the Road" Panel Discussion – “All Disabilities Are Not Visible”

Catherine (Cat) Brubaker, Julie Kintz, and Juliet Madsenca join host Donna O’Donnell Figurski to discuss the many problems that surround their lives as brain injury survivors who look “normal.”

People easily understand the implications arising when someone suffers a broken limb or is diagnosed with cancer or is physically disabled. But, when someone is living with an “invisible” brain injury, folks find it difficult to comprehend. They don’t understand the seriousness of memory loss, confusion, lack of organizational skills, bursts of anger, or lack of emotions. “Get over it!” “That happens to me too,” and “Oh, I know what you mean….” are some of the phrases that are commonly heard by brain injury survivors, and they’re infuriating. Such a phrase is a big, red flag that shouts that the friend, family member, or loved one simply does not understand what his or her survivor is going through. Cat, Julie, and Juliet will try to explain.

Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, an IED blast, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slips from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating.

But as Yogi Berra once said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Life is all about choices!

To learn more about me, please visit my blogs.

Survivng Traumatic Brain Injury Blog: survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com

Donna's Blog: donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com