A brain injury can bring unexpected changes in identity, abilities, and relationships… and when things feel different, grief is a natural response. Today, we are exploring the concept of  “ambiguous loss” - a type of loss that remains unclear, unresolved, or without closure - with our first Brain Injury Community Panel.

Today’s panel features 3 brain injury survivors, each with their own unique journey: Helena Jacobson, Stefanie Beeney, and Scott Tribble. Our conversation will help you to learn more about the concept of ambiguous loss, the impact on identity and social relationships for survivors, and tools to help navigate grief and move toward healing.

You do not have to process this alone: if you can relate to any of this, we are here for you. We invite you to join our online support groups, and feel free to reach out any time at [email protected]. We also have some grief processing resources available for both survivors & family members at our resource hub: hopesurvives.org/resource

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CONNECT

Connect with Hope Survives: @hopesurvives | hopesurvives.org 

Join the online community & zoom groups: hopesurvives.org/community

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Helena on IG: @healingwithhelz

Connect with Stefanie on IG: @evolving.stef

Learn more about volunteering, sharing your story, or becoming a Hope Ambassador: https://www.hopesurvives.org/getinvolved 

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Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC’s personalized neuro-recovery programs offer hope for those suffering from Brain Injuries, Dysautonomia, Vestibular, Chronic Pain, Stroke, Movement Dysfunction, Developmental Disorders, PPPD, FND and Complex Post Concussion. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com 

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0:00 Intro

2:30 Welcome with Cristabelle

6:45 Introducing Panelists - Survivor Stories

10:25 Ambiguous Loss after Brain Injury

16:00 Internal Loss of Self and Identity

23:30 External Loss of Life and Relationships

30:00 Navigating Grief & Loss

37:40 Strategies for Processing Grief

48:45 Maintaining Hope and Motivation

58:45 Advice through Ambiguous Loss

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Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast