Portrait: Laura
I was 32 years old when I had my strokes. I was diagnosed with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, or APS, which caused my blood to clot. The clot ended up in the right hemisphere of my brain, causing both strokes.
Survivor Stories
Many of you have written to SameYou about your experience of brain injury and told us how you identified with Emilia's story. There was a common feeling of relief about hearing a familiar story from someone young, and speaking out to normalize the injury. People were comforted that Emilia had gone through something similar to them or to a family member or loved one.
The overwhelming emotion was of gratitude that Emilia was breaking her silence and that enabled and emboldened so many others to tell their brain injury story - some for the first time. It was as if people now have permission to speak out about their story.
I get days when I just want to give up. But after hearing your story it has made me realize, I'm not on my own!
You have told us that by sharing your stories, and reading other people's, offers hope, comfort and much needed peer-to-peer support that is often hard to find.
SameYou have created this support resource called Portraits to tell the untold story of brain injury. If you would like to share your story, you can submit your story via our Share your story page.
Portrait: Suszanne
Suszanne has advocated for more support to be available during brain injury recovery and is now fighting for better care of other patients.
Portrait: Jennifer
Jennifer's stroke affected her vision, hearing, balance, ability to walk, and weakened her left side.
Portrait: Iveta
Before I suffered a ruptured aneurysm and subsequent brain surgery at 36, I had felt young, strong, beautiful and independent. I had felt invincible. The brain injury left me devastated – both physically and emotionally.
Portrait: Alicia
On September 13th 2011, I defied the odds after my bike crash put me in a 13-day coma leaving me struggling with severe amnesia, vestibular system damage, and diffuse axonal contusions.
Portrait: Megan
I was on a city bike in uptown Minneapolis, on my way home, when without warning I suffered from a subarachnoid ruptured brain aneurysm, a brain hemorrhage and stroke.
Portrait: Janine
I am a secondary school teacher and on the 24th October, 2019, I was about to get up and get ready for work when I sneezed. Although I did not know it yet, a Blister-type aneurysm had ruptured in my brain and I was experiencing a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
Portrait: Hanna Maria
At the age of 29 I survived a head-on collision. My brain moved around so much that the mid-line shifted entirely.