Portrait: Sake
At the age of 15, I experienced a life-threatening aneurysm while go-karting.
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 normalise 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 realise, 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: Andrew
On June 29th 2018, I had a ruptured brain aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. I was at an airport about to board a plane.
Portrait: Tim
Tim was driving his daughter to school when he suffered a series of epileptic seizures. It was not until a year later that he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour that would go on to change his life.
Portrait: Erin
For Erin, stroke was the hardest to hear. 24 years ago, her mom, suffered a stroke where they almost lost her. She was now being admitted to the same ICU she sat in as a teen praying for her mom to survive.
Portrait: Scott
After a 40ft fall, Scott's parents and girlfriend were told that if he survived, he would be in an inpatient facility for two years.
Portrait: Dana
In the summer of 2009, at the age of 44, my life changed forever. An active, full-time mom and wife, I suddenly began to experience troubling symptoms.
Portrait: Nicole
After her team finished swimming preliminaries during the conference, Nicole returned to her room to rest and later experienced an ischemic stroke.
Portrait: Enisa
Enisa shares her story of experiencing an intracerebral hemorrhage caused by a cavernoma, and the ups and downs of her recovery process.
Volunteer Q&A: Lacy
Lacy is a huge fan of Emilia since her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. As someone with a rare ABI, and after hearing of Emilia's story, Lacy was inspired to become a volunteer and is loving every minute of it!
Portrait: Jelena
Jelena's story helps raise awareness of the potential effects of a mosquito bite that carries the West Nile virus.