b"sciousness, and he was able to receiveBrandon signing copies of hisissue close to the heart of BIAAZ. At the the surgery and subsequent rehabil- premiere novel Mascara Boy Brain Health Symposium for profes-itation he needed. One of the nursessionals, it was announced that in 2020, treating him urged him to attend anthe organization will play an expanded Alcoholics Anonymous meeting whenrole in the battle against opioid addic-he was released from the hospital, andtion and brain injury, offering brain said shed give him $10 to get there asinjury screening training to dozens of long as he promised to go.Arizona addiction treatment centers.Perhaps it was how the nurse showedAdditionally, treatment center staff-trust in him, or maybe it was becauseers will receive information on modi-he had bottomed out with nowhere tofying treatment information for those turn, but he felt compelled to take herwho have a brain injury. Those in up on her offer.treatment will have access to services On February 22, 2020, Brandon willfrom BIAAZ, such as support groups, celebrate 10 years of sobriety. resource facilitation, educational class-Brandon Lees story graphically il- es, programs, and peer support. lustrates the all-too-common relationship between brainBIAAZ Executive Director Carrie Collins-Fadell is opti-injury, addiction and trauma. Through therapy, hes beenmistic about these upcoming addiction programs. There able to process the effects of the sexual abuse he sufferedis so much hope in treatment for brain traumas; every day at the hands of trusted adults as a young boy, as well asis a new day for your brain, she shares. Brandon's story address his troubled relationship with his parents, whoseperfectly illustrates why getting connected to the correct own past traumas caused them to turn a blind eye to theresources, support, and treatment is critical. abuse of their son. Because of the unfortunate negative stigmas often associ-In addition to advocating for the life-changing powers ofated with trauma, brain injury, and mental health, Brandon therapy, Brandon also promotes the importance of neuro- is adamant about being an example to others of how recov-plasticity as a way for the brain to rewire and change overery is possible, no matter how dark the present or future may an individuals life. I felt like damaged goods, he explainsseem. If I can do it, you can do it, is his battle cry. One of regarding his former life. I learned that wasnt true and mythe solutions he believes would make a world of difference brain was telling me the wrong things. Through neuroplas- is reaching people early in life before they hit rock bottom. ticity, Brandon was able to write a different story for his lifeWe need more mental health counselors in schools, even with a more reliable narrator.middle schools. We have to talk about this, he says.During his address, Lee also touched on the complex andIn holding himself accountable and practicing what he multi-faceted topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD).preaches, Lee has dedicated much of his professional life to To avoid making bad life choices, he stressed the importanceproducing and hosting on-air segments on drug addiction of understanding PTSD as the body's natural reaction toand the therapies available to trauma survivors.unnatural stressors. When that connection isnt made, anyTo people who say they wish they had what appears to event could potentially trigger early traumas, which arebe his glamorous life as an Emmy-award winning TV news further complicated when there is co-occurring physicalanchor, he immediately slaps down that fantasy. We must trauma as well. stop trying to portray perfection on social media, he insists. Hope and healing after trauma and brain injury is anThe truth is, we relate to each other through our scars.Collins-Fadell encourages anyone who relates to Bran-don's story to reach out for help and look for community partners, and wants them to know the Brian Injury Alliance of Arizona can guide you toward the resources to process trauma, heal your brain and move forward. Brandon is slated to be a guest speaker at the BrainInjuryAllianceofArizonasBrainInjury Survivors and Caregivers Expo on Friday, May 15, 2020 in Phoenix. Early bird tickets are on sale now at BIAAZ.org. For more information on living well after brain injury, contact the BIAAZs statewide neuro info-line at 888-500-9165. From left to right: Brandon Lee, Tina Brown from AZ Complete Health, and Sean Badding from Everlasting Services5 The Noggin | 2020vol 5issue 1"