There is a common phrase, “new you” after brain injury - but what if it’s more nuanced than that? There are parts of ourselves that feel new and unfamiliar, but there are other parts of ourselves that have been there all along… how do we piece it all together? 

How do we find ourselves again? What does “identity” mean anyway? Why does society define us by what we do - and how can we get to a deeper understanding of who we really are? Get ready to explore all this and more with our second Brain Injury Community Panel.

Today’s panel features 3 brain injury survivors, each with their own unique journey: Bobby Apgar, Lynda Douge, and Chelsea Tuttle. Our conversation will help you to learn more about the journey of identity after brain injury, ways that these survivors have learned to re-discover themselves, and encouragement and advice on how to get to know yourself again.

FREE Resources available for Instant Download:

• Journaling Prompts for Survivors: Exploring Identity after Brain Injury

• Journaling Prompts for Survivors: Emotions, Relationships, and Daily Growth

• Family Identity after Injury: When One of Us is Injured, All of Us are Changed

CLICK HERE: ⁠https://hopesurvives.org/resource-hub⁠

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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

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

2:34 Welcome with Cristabelle

7:20 Introducing Panelists - Survivor Stories

15:15 Identity Changes post-TBI

21:20 Sense of Self

34:50 Society Defines by What We Do

40:30 Self-Perception - Who We Are

45:35 Getting to Know Yourself Again

55:50 Brain Injury Identity Journey

57:55 Words of Hope

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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