Thank You Brain Injury Association of NH (BIANH)!
Since beginning to share my personal experience of sustaining, recovery process from, and living with a traumatic brain injury publicly; I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities to connect with varied audiences. And while the point of these engagements depends on the occasion; from educating about living with ABI(acquired brain injury) and the amazing Krempels Brain Injury Center, to working to prevent neurological injury with ThinkFirst, or even the blessing of being a peer visitor to recent BI survivors at a rehab facility, I truly consider these opportunity a blessing in my life. Of course, the objective is usually to educate about or provide insight into my brain injury journey to individuals who hopefully can benefit from my experience, yet it always amazes me how grateful these occasions leave me!
This past week the Brain Injury Association of NH (BIANH)held their annual conference in Concord, NH. I can’t say exactly how many times that I’ve attended this great conference offering 5 tracks with programming geared towards professionals, survivors/family, or anyone interested in life after brain injury, but as usual, it was a moving experience. The 2025 edition marked BIANH’s 41st gathering focused on “Brain injury and stroke support, prevention, education, and advocacy for survivors and caregivers.” The conference provides a great chance to connect with many survivors, and those working to improve their lives. It’s no wonder that KBIC is not only a sponsor, but featured two members along with Kelly (KBIC Sr. Program Coordinator) and Craig (Musician and longtime KBIC group facilitator) leading a group on some fun and therapeutic improv expressive arts’ programming at KBIC!
At this years conference I was honored to be asked to participate on a panel with two other survivors sharing our experience and having a discussion with attendees. We all had different stories, but shared the experience of losing the life we had built or hoped to build in the future. While I certainly hope that attendees got some insight into living with a brain injury from us three survivor’s panel, it was the short discussion that Jennifer, Sierra, and I had before beginning that really touched my heart.
Neither my two fellow panelists or I had ever met before, but the conversation ensued as if we’d been long friends reconnecting after an extended time. I was truly inspired at the strength displayed by both Jennifer and Sierra as they shared about their ABI’s (Stroke survivor/Jennifer and a TBI from motor vehicle accident/Sierra). Although I was the “veteran” so to speak, at almost 19 years post TBI while both my co-panelists sustained their injuries within the last few years, the connection was amazing as we seemingly echoed each other’s thoughts! After some brief introductions I was blown away that we all agreed that we wouldn’t trade our lives now, challenging yet beautiful, for that unknown mysterious “what if I never was injured?” version.
On my ride home, and still now more than a couple of days later, I can’t help but feel how powerful connecting with other survivors is and how fortunate I’ve been. Fortunate to have so many incredible rehabilitation services and be able to access life improving supports such as KBIC and BIANH. I’ll be forever grateful for my “New Life After Brain Injury”, to borrow KBIC’s tagline! As we celebrate KBIC’s 25th anniversary this year, the opportunity for community among survivors created by David Krempels continues to give hope to so many. I can honestly say that medical doctors saved my life, therapists taught me how to function, but it wasn’t until arriving at Krempels that I truly began living a new life!