Survivor Stories
Many of you have written to SameYou about your experience of brain injury and told us how you identified with Emilia's story. There was a common feeling of relief about hearing a familiar story from someone young, and speaking out to normalize the injury. People were comforted that Emilia had gone through something similar to them or to a family member or loved one.
The overwhelming emotion was of gratitude that Emilia was breaking her silence and that enabled and emboldened so many others to tell their brain injury story - some for the first time. It was as if people now have permission to speak out about their story.
I get days when I just want to give up. But after hearing your story it has made me realize, I'm not on my own!
You have told us that by sharing your stories, and reading other people's, offers hope, comfort and much needed peer-to-peer support that is often hard to find.
SameYou have created this support resource called Portraits to tell the untold story of brain injury. If you would like to share your story, you can submit your story via our Share your story page.
028b.png?1667575561)
Portrait: Lisa J
I was visiting a location in March 2021 on a weekend in NY state when I stopped at my very best friend from middle schools' apartment on my way home from work to meet her first son and have dinner. After a couple of hours, I started to experience the worst headache of my life. I was getting sweaty, and my vision was blurring.
Portrait: Alon
On December 3, 2008, I had a catastrophic massive stroke. It was a consequence of the dissection of the carotid artery. It took me a decade to communicate again.
Portrait: Kayla
Two years ago, I was hit by a motorcycle when crossing the street in New York City. I sustained a brain bleed, concussion, and whiplash.
Portrait: Ronah
My name is Ronah Ankunda, aged 26 years and I come from Uganda. On June 1st, 2022 around 1:00am a sudden agonizing headache woke me up.
Portrait: Karen
On 10th June 2020, I woke up in hospital following a surgery to remove a grade 1, non-cancerous brain tumour
Portrait: Ashish
This is a heart-wrenching story about Ashish Gupta, a normal 29 year old enthusiastic youth, living in Ranchi, a place in Jharkhand state of India. He did not know what he would go through in the near future and nobody had expected it.
Portrait: Len
My name is Len. I have survived two major brain injuries that required surgery. Add to this several concussions. I will focus on the two injuries.
Portrait: Mahir
As a 6 years old, I was hit by a car while crossing the road. This forever changed my life. 34 years on, I am an English teacher, Arabic Interpreter & Translator and writer.
Portrait: David C
Many years of keen cycling concluded with a serious accident and Traumatic Brain Injury, August 2018. Unprepared, I went from enjoying a responsible job, to months in hospital and years of recovery.