Brainwaves

Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Blog

Brain Injury Survivor’s Life Comes into Focus
With Photography

In 2015, Bridget Clarice was an active 24-year-old mother, enjoying a hike with her 18-month-old daughter Liliana. Bridget was also 24 weeks pregnant and feeling great. One mile into the outing though, she heard a pop in her brain and her head started spinning.

While friends helped carry Liliana down the trail, Bridget was rushed to the nearest hospital, where she was diagnosed with dehydration. On her way home from the center, she couldn’t speak and thought she was going to die.

Bridget is mostly just grateful for another chance at living her best life. “Photography has been so liberating for me in so many ways. As I’ve experienced first-hand, life can change in a minute, so you’d better pursue what you enjoy – now. Carpe diem, baby!”

Brain Injury Survivor’s Life Comes into Focus
With Photography

In 2015, Bridget Clarice was an active 24-year-old mother, enjoying a hike with her 18-month-old daughter Liliana. Bridget was also 24 weeks pregnant and feeling great. One mile into the outing though, she heard a pop in her brain and her head started spinning.

While friends helped carry Liliana down the trail, Bridget was rushed to the nearest hospital, where she was diagnosed with dehydration. On her way home from the center, she couldn’t speak and thought she was going to die.

Bridget is mostly just grateful for another chance at living her best life. “Photography has been so liberating for me in so many ways. As I’ve experienced first-hand, life can change in a minute, so you’d better pursue what you enjoy – now. Carpe diem, baby!”

Under doctor’s orders, she attempted to sleep it off. When Bridget awoke, she noticed she had a busted lip. Her husband Chris explained that she had tried to get out of bed and fell.

They immediately raced back to the hospital. This time, an MRI indicated bleeding in the brain. If she hadn’t had surgery within two hours, she would have died.

Eventually, a shunt was inserted in her skull to drain the excess blood and increase her chance of survival. After three weeks, she was discharged from the ICU and 13 weeks later, she delivered a healthy baby boy, Ronan.

It was determined that Bridget had likely been born with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain, which is when blood vessels and arteries become unusually tangled, often leading to complex neurological problems, and can be fatal. Today, she still feels like her head has an open wound with a tangled knot inside.

As part of her recovery, the Tucson native realized she had always wanted to be a photographer and she decided she wasn’t going to wait another day. That very Halloween, she took pictures of her kids, which led to photographing other people’s littles. As her skills increased and style evolved, she was drawn to portraits, landscapes, boudoir, and astral photography.

“I love shooting the Milky Way. I have to drive a lot, which makes it challenging and exhilarating,” Bridget shares. “Because of my brain injury, the lights mess with me a bit, but I’ve learned how to live with it.”

Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Survivor Engagement Coordinator Laura Johnson isn’t surprised that Bridget’s recovery parallels her involvement with photography. She says, “Never underestimate the power of art to get in touch with your true self. After her injury, Bridget discovered what was important to her, even though it was new. Art heals and I believe it really helped heal her.”

Laura also acknowledges an important part of healing is finding acceptance and community. “Fortunately, Bridget has a solid support system – her family, friends, and of course, all of us at the Brain Injury Alliance.”

Bridget is mostly just grateful for another chance at living her best life. “Photography has been so liberating for me in so many ways. As I’ve experienced first-hand, life can change in a minute, so you’d better pursue what you enjoy – now. Carpe diem, baby!”

Some of Bridget’s work…

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona:

  • Works with Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
  • Houses Arizona Brain Health Resource Center
  • Hosts Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Workgroup
  • Has Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Response team with peer support, training, and family wraparound services
  • Facilitates Brain Health Advisory Council
  • Manages statewide Neuro Info-Line: 888-500-9165

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