*Traumatic brain injury sustained Oct. 23, 2017; medical treatment completed May 2018*

I knew I had to throw in the towel two weeks after being hit by a drunk driver (who was also high on Lorazepam at the time).

The hit and run happened at 2:30 pm on a Monday afternoon. I told the emergency responders that I didn’t need to go to the hospital (insert eye-roll emoji here).

A co-worker drove me home (he bought me a big cookie and a diet Coke). But as the afternoon turned into evening, the shock began to wear off, and the physical affects started to show - I could feel a horrible transition taking place inside my skull.

At first, I thought I could rally and just get back to work a week later. I soldiered through a week, but it was too much.

I went to the emergency room, where I failed the concussion light-visual test, which I thought they only did in the movies. But, this wasn’t acting.

You know the test - the emergency room doctor began slowly moving a light back and forth, and I’m pretty sure he knew I was being stubborn; pretending it wasn’t making me feel nauseated. I was determined not to fold. I stared at the light thinking, “he’ll say, ‘here are some meds, take a few days, and you’ll be fine.’”

Instead, he picked up the pace of the light motions to the point where I felt like he was using an invisible, giant suction cup to pull my brain out through the back of my skull. The medical staff moved in, expecting to have to catch me mid-faint.

At that point, I was no longer in the driver’s seat - the medical community had just taken charge of my healing.

The ER doc strongly advised me to see a neurologist. The word ‘neurologist’ alone sent chills down my spine. What will the neurologist do? How long will this last? When will the room stop spinning? Where’s my diet Coke?

Trying to live life as usual is unwise when diagnosed with any kind of brain injury. I can say that now.

I am tremendously grateful to have had family and friends' support throughout my recovery. And, now I’m asking for your support to raise funds for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania.

Despite being an unwilling participant in this journey nearly one year ago, I have embraced the opportunity to educate myself about brain injuries. I am now beginning a new chapter of my life; finding ways to help others who have more severe injuries than I experienced.

Please consider making a donation toward this worthy cause, so that together, we can help people living with brain injuries.

Saturday, October 27, 2018
Tyler State Park – Richboro, PA

The Brain Injury Challenge: Race for Recovery offers everyone the opportunity to have fun and support MossRehab and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania.  CLICK HERE for details or to register,