This July marks one full year of brain injury rehabilitation for a moderate TBI suffered late 2015. Treatment professionals and doctors had a lot to say. They told me I wouldn’t walk, write, see, or talk the same – properly and safely; that I would never be the same person. I was told that I should give up on my dreams, because I would never be able to work again in any capacity close to prior functioning. From the start I had the encouragement and guidance of my best friend and life partner. She helped remind me who I am, and was one of the only people who stuck around to help, to love, and to remain loyal in my life.
I am a fighter. I refuse limitation. I work to develop my mind and my heart during these couple years . Through this season of challenge, I lived in skilled nursing facilities, assisted rehab day programs, and brain injury outpatient services. Neurologists, neuro-endocrinologist, psychiatrist, speech, occupational therapy, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, education therapy, and the list goes on. I am nowhere near healed or back in action. But every day is a small shuffle towards progress, pride, and self empowerment.
Never give up on yourself. Never give up on your dreams – dreams keep you alive, and nobody can take them from you. Nobody.
Changing and challenges are inevitable for all of us. Do not only heal the wound, work always to develop both your heart and your body. It can be very difficult to get through life – all of us to know this, from time to time. So take the challenge as an opportunity to heal your wounds, relationships, and also to cultivate self compassion, acceptance, and belief in the myth and magic that life ceaselessly offers with every new dawn we wake to find.
I love and respect you all. Good luck and stay strong, no matter what your story.
-Sean Dudas