"If I Didn't Have a Brain Injury...?" - Identity as Survivors

Do you ever find yourself feeling like, "If only I didn't have a brain injury, I could do (insert thing)...?" Sometimes that can be crippling and it is hard to find your identity as a survivor. Let's talk about how we identify ourselves, labels, and some ways to improve our self-talk.
💙 Hear more on the podcast! -- This is a segment from "Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast" with Cristabelle Braden - Season 2 Episode 2 "Developing a Balanced Life Post-Injury (with Marlene Rivera, CBIS)" - hear the full conversation on podcast feeds or at: hopeafterheadi...

[@scarman123]

I was 40 when I had my TBI so I had a good idea of what my life was like without a TBI. 22 years later and I’m still working through starting over. It’s soooo hard to not think this way because I have a very good picture of my life without TBI as do my family and friends. The reality is life changes for everyone. It’s hard but doable.

[@thaneknight]

I had a severe stroke at 48 and the hardest thing has been the personality change.
I don't notice it and think I haven't changed but my wife insists I have. It has compounded problems in my marriage.
I'm stuck there with no solution.You thankfully, seem to be a beautiful and kind person.
My character flaws have been amplified.I don't see myself as the problem.I keep trying to catch myself when I get frustrated and how I respond. I have a hard time seeing myself from other people's point of view. This probably doesn't help you.
I chalk it up to the story and push on while trying to be more self aware. You seem to have a lot of insight.While you avoid driving, I climb up on steep roofs... cycle in traffic and on highways; while on blood thinners and developing epilepsy.Probably why I get into fights, or this is what I've been told.I fight with the who I was and the who I've become.

[@bruceanderson8897]

Your mind is healthy,Cristabelle!! Your brain is a physical machine that Your heart and mind uses to express itself.Your MIND is strong and sound.Your overcoming life has been such an encouragement to sooo many people,with or without brain injuries.Remember,there's so much more to you.God bless you!! Take care of yourself,and keep going.

[@hopeafterheadinjury]

Thank you, Bruce! God bless you! -Cristabelle

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I had to give up the model car building hobby I used to love but I no longer enjoy it due to my TBI issues.... Now I feel less than because I can no longer build model cars... Sad😢...

[@Saint.questions]

An idol of who I used to be... wow. That hit hard.

[@katieh4274]

This hits home. Keep it up ❤

[@hopeafterheadinjury]

Thank you, so glad to hear that you can relate. I hope it encouraged you! Hugs! -Cristabelle

[@timjohnson1199]

Read "What Color is Your Parachute ". Helped me after the hospital and the years I spent clawing my way back to productively.
Don't be complacent and get comfortable with less than 100%. Keep busy. Less talk, more work. Yeah, yeah, I know sounds easy.
Well, it's not.

[@napoland9676]

Ironically, I've only recently started wondering what my life would be like w/o my TBI's. But, I got my first TBI at 3 or 4 years old, so I have no idea what life is like w/o one. I'm in my mid-40's and I am well aware that my brain doesn't function like other peoples' brains. Unfortunately, I've lost a few friends to TBI, which has got me thinking......what would it be like w/o the injury?

[@LindyEastman]

It's still difficult to process dealing with the new normal after the mtbi. 😢

[@hummingbird7713]

I guess im stuck in what i use to do.im stuck. I would like to have good days...tired of the pain. Tired of disappointing family members

[@whatevr76021]

Amen!!!! ❤️☺️

[@hopeafterheadinjury]

Thanks for watching!

[@francelieuinsao1279]

:)