Noah M
In 2012 I graduated Vassar College and moved to Berlin Germany where I worked as an artist while learning German. In July 2013 I went to the Dolomite Mountains in Italy on a climbing trip. On the trip, I had a freak accident and fell 100 feet. I spent one month in the ICU in Bolzano, Italy, and was then flown to the states where I spent one month in Hartford Hospital. I then went to the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Connecticut for rehabilitation and was inpatient there for 17 months!
I was discharged from the Hospital in February 2015, and am still going to the Hospital for Special Care for outpatient rehab. I also go back every month to the brain injury support group at the hospital organized by BIAC. I’ve been going since I was an inpatient and truly feel the support group provides me with a special TBI family. I feel I have grown to accept my predicament a little better from going to these groups.
Lastly, throughout my recovery I have continued to set goals for myself. Which is a very important step in rehab. For this year’s BIAC Walk For Thought I set my goal to walk my farthest walk yet or 2 miles (post accident). I successfully completed my goal by going 2.1 miles! I set this goal and accomplished it to raise money for BIAC and the great work they do brain injury survivors and their families.
Living with a brain injury can be very difficult! Your life as you knew it has changed dramatically. But, with family, support, hard work, determination, and courage, you can push through and come out on top. There’s no point in getting all dejected about what you’ve lost, working with yourself and those around you can persevere.