Portrait: Kyle
I had just returned from holiday when I started to feel really unwell and sick. I now know it was an AVM that had ruptured and I was suffering a bleed on the brain.
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: Liliana
I was washing my dog after being outside when a horrible pain in my head made everything foggy and surreal as I was standing up.
Portrait: Michelle & Danial
A big hurdle we came across in Danial's recovery were the delays and lack of awareness on hospital wards in meeting needs for an Autistic person’s 1-on-1 care.
Portrait: Rose K
I am a survivor of 2 brain injuries within the course of a few years. One by rape and one from an aneurysm.
Portrait: Myra K
I was approaching the end of my first year working as a Nurse Practitioner when I suddenly became the patient instead of the prescriber.
Portrait: Kym C
I am a wife, mother of three, and a second grade teacher. By sharing my story, I hope that someone might find comfort in knowing they are not alone and that recovery from brain injury happens at its own pace.
Portrait: Anonymous
I had a SAH in January, 2019. I was 29 years old at the time: fit, a keen sports person, and it came out of the blue.
Portrait: Dylan
The doctors in Asheville were straight forward with my mom, telling her there was a 90% chance I wouldn’t make it out of the coma.
Portrait: Matthew
My name is Matthew and in February 2021 whilst out running I suffered a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage.
Portrait: Catherine's mum Mimi
This story is about my mum, Mimi, who sadly passed away in August last year following a long battle with a brain injury.