Fellybishh is gaming for good for SameYou
Felicia found the recommended vision therapy to be either too childish or too dull, so she turned to video games on her Xbox to make it more engaging.
About Felicia’s brain injury
Felicia or “Fellybishh” was in her junior year at university when she woke up feeling unwell. Thinking it might be something she had eaten the night before, she got up and started getting ready for classes. She turned on the shower and everything went blank. She woke up 15 minutes later on the bathroom floor, the shower still running, realising she had lost consciousness. Being close to home, her family was by her side within an hour, which was incredibly reassuring during such a confusing and painful time. Although the cause of the event remains unknown, the incident resulted in a concussion and brain bleed.
Challenges experienced post brain injury
Felicia’s life post-injury was quite challenging. Her undergraduate studies suddenly became painful, requiring her to wear sunglasses in class due to light sensitivity. She was having frequent migraines and vision issues which often caused her to bump into things, complicating her recovery.
Prior to the injury, she had a huge love for reading. You’d often find her spending entire days lost in books, reading quickly and comprehending everything. After the accident, reading became difficult, making her studies even more challenging and time-consuming, which she found exceptionally frustrating.
Adjusting to these new limitations and accepting a changed version of herself was emotionally tough. Six months after the incident, she was back in the hospital after a scan showed persistent issues, which underscored the uncertainty of making a full recovery. It was a slow and difficult process to come to terms with.
Incorporating gaming as part of her therapy
Felicia found the recommended vision therapy to be either too childish or too dull, so she turned to video games on her Xbox to make it more engaging. Gaming served as therapy to help her eyes relearn how to work together. The vibrant visuals of games like Overwatch and Fortnite were helpful, even though she still had to wear sunglasses due to her sensitivity to light.
Inspired by her husband who used to stream his gaming sessions for her, in March 2018, she decided to try streaming herself and within a month, she became a Twitch Affiliate. Streaming and gaming helped her work on cognitive skills and having the community chat’s support made the journey enjoyable. Chat stood by her throughout her journey from applying to graduate school to completing her PhD. In the process, the University she was attending awarded her a scholarship as an esports athlete.
“It was an amazing experience, especially considering I was in recovery from a brain injury, combined with the stress of starting my PhD.”
Watch Fellybishh fundraise for good
Felicia’s biggest source of inspiration during recovery
Her biggest inspiration during recovery was her little sister. Her sister had experienced a traumatic brain injury a year prior to Felicia’s. Despite the age difference, her sister’s resilience and approach to recovery greatly inspired her, especially as they went through therapy together. Her support was instrumental in helping her navigate the challenges and accept her circumstances.
When asked what she wished people knew about brain injury, Felicia said:
“I want people to understand the profound impact a traumatic brain injury can have—physically and mentally—not just on the survivor but also on their loved ones. It’s a life-changing ordeal with many ongoing challenges. Every injury is unique, leading to a wide range of recovery experiences and symptoms. Empathy, respect and support are essential for everyone involved.”
Where can you find Felicia these days
Felicia has completed all the necessary therapies without significant improvement, but she has reached a point of acceptance. She remains hopeful for future medical advancements.
“The journey has taught me a lot about resilience and adaptability. I’m at peace with where I am, ready for whatever the future holds.”
Through her experiences shared on social media and through streaming, she aims to support other brain injury survivors and raise awareness about the gravity of such injuries.
“My goal is to help educate and improve understanding, advocating for advancements in treatment that could benefit future generations.”
Every Wednesday during July 2024 (2pm to 5pm EST), Felicia aka Fellybishh will be hosting a livestream fundraiser for the benefit of SameYou. By supporting SameYou, she hopes to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges.
Support Fellybishh's fundraiser
Follow Felicia “Fellybishh” :
Twitch: @fellybishh
Instagram: @fellybishh
Discord: @fellybishh
Take action today
SameYou launched its "For The Throne" gaming for good livestream fundraising initiative. If you are looking to level up and be part of a recovery revolution that has the potential to better the lives of the 1 in 3 people in your own community, take the next step and register your interest to host a livestream fundraiser on behalf of SameYou.