TBI - The Invisible Injury

No matter how minor it may seem; a brain injury is still just that. Many people suffer from brain injuries and it affects everyone differently.

I suffered a minor TBI playing football back in 2018 and have since had to quit playing as I now suffer from post-concussion syndrome. I had played football for 10 years, since I was a child, and while most people were very sympathetic; I quickly realised that everyone I tried explaining my situation to, needed an explanation. They did their best to understand me but there seems to be lack of awareness about the impacts of minor head injuries and that even if I appear 'normal' still, I have suffered and changed.

There are so many challenges that only you know and struggle with. Lots of things changed: my attitude, emotions, sleep, bad memory, headaches, struggle sometimes with light and noise - the list goes on. All these and more are daily symptoms and struggles of life post-brain injury and I am lucky that I have amazing friends, team mates and people in my life that do their best to understand what's happening and help me.

The biggest challenge is the fact that you know yourself that you are now different, and can never be the same, can never do things the same as you did before. The challenge is knowing that, and yet keeping a positive outlook and strong mindset that you are amazing and tough and can still do what you want!

DON'T GIVE UP! FIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG!

There are haters who disbelieve, there are ignorant people who don't want to understand but at the same time, there are the people who understand and choose to love you no matter whats going on and choose to help and support you. Surround yourself with the people who care and drop those who don't.

Its not just PCS that's invisible, so are many other issues and even mental health troubles that often accompany TBI's.

I hope that one day people will treat brain injured souls the same as someone with a visible injury like a broken leg in a cast. Brain's can be helped and be treated to an extent but, they can't be fixed back to how they were; it is permanent damage...

Although it is getting better, sadly I still believe there is not enough focus or awareness of the impacts of brain injuries.

TBI's - the invisible injury with daily struggles and life changing consequences.