b'Q &AWITH TBI SURVIVOR AND OPTIMIST JOLYNNE GIORDANO QHow did you come to have a brain injury, and how long ago did it occur?My injury, a severe closed-head TBI, took place in 2007 when my son and I were thrown from his small scooter by an oncoming car in a Nashville residential intersection. My son received minor internal bruising but was otherwise unharmed. I had an initial Glasgow coma scale of 8, and one of two subdural hematomas was drained from my brain during a craniotomy. Shearing was seen in the frontal lobe.QWhat are some of the symptoms and challengesthe amount of healing Ive had and the vantage point on youve experienced as a result of the injury? which I now rest. Retrograde amnesia prevents me from recalling theQWhat has your brain injury taught you? injury. It day prior to the accident. My first memory is of spirited thrashing during a fit of frustration in my wheelchair. I wasI would never want to erase my brain tightly bound with restraints to prevent a fall. It has been ahas made me who I am today. Priceless introspection and long path of recovery and healing marked initially by con- learning revealed my path was largely selfish and focused on fusion, lack of experience, and a vast chasm of ignoranceego-driven pursuits, preventing me from being in touch with about the brain. I did not know the term brain injury.why I am on this planet. Shallow themes like preserving an Physical, speech, cognitive and vestibular therapies pro- aging body or attaining material possessions dominated vided much-needed help. Dizziness, migraine headaches,my mind. In the blink of an eye, my life changed forever cognitive processing speed struggles, short-term memorywhen all I had known was upended. Beginning again, like issues, extreme fatigue, depression, and emotional labilityan infant, my mind paused enough to be reminded that marked the first 12 years [post injury]. I am the embodi- we are part of an enormous collective. We exist to love and ment of brain injury as an invisible injury. After manysupport each other. Life is to be enjoyed and fully experi-and various therapies, games, reading, exercise, counseling,enced. In our amazing world with its spectacular beauty, assistance from the healthcare community, support groups,like the majestic snow-capped peaks of Switzerland, or the alternative treatment methods, meditation, support frombreathtaking cliffs of Big Sur, California, the impossibly family and friends, I can say Ive reached a place I didntperfect execution of so many systems, the ability to fully imagine possible. I struggle still with hyperacusis (extremeexperience emotions of love, joy, peace, gratitude to me, noise sensitivity), adynamia (pathological lack of motiva- understanding this fully is the crowning achievement of tion), and some emotional hurdles, but all brain injuriesmy recovery. I operate these days seeing the world in a way are unique, and I am extremely grateful for the recoverypreviously unclear to me. A Biblical verse says, to whom Ive experienced. I recognize during my daily meditationmuch is given, much will be expected in return. Id like to share my experience with others. 7The Noggin | 2020vol 5issue 1'