Traumatic Brain Injury Quotes

“My parents were delighted that I was getting the help I needed, although I did not fully disclose the details of my living situation with them. While I was growing up, my projected role in the family was to always be the strong one. I was the mediator, or “Miss Perfect” as some family members would say, so I was usually clear on what I told them. With my traumatic brain injury, it was a bit different, so I didn’t share much of the daily happenings with my parents, except for the therapy sessions.”
― Kathleen Klawitter, Direct Hit: A Golf Pro's Remarkable Journey back from Traumatic Brain Injury

“In the most dismal place, at the longest point of night - just before sunrise - the morning star shines its glimmer of hope.”
― Donna Fado Ivery, Sleep, Pray, Heal: A Path to Wholeness & Well-Being

“Without warning, something struck me in the head. It felt like a railroad tie had been driven through the top of my head, into my skull, and out my left eye socket. The pain was excruciating, as if a bowling ball had fallen on my head, and shuddered through my whole body.”
― Kathleen Klawitter, Direct Hit: A Golf Pro's Remarkable Journey back from Traumatic Brain Injury

“Later, I learned a golfer was hitting from the ninth tee with his comrades. He had been drinking a few beers and thought he could drive the green. His aim was dangerously off, and he managed to hit the golf ball over the clubhouse, a mere 200 yards away. To my misfortune, it struck me on the head with the force of something much larger. My young, vibrant, and motivated life, as I knew it, changed in an instant.”
― Kathleen Klawitter, Direct Hit: A Golf Pro's Remarkable Journey back from Traumatic Brain Injury

“Simple tasks became monumental nightmares. A short trip to vote turned into a long, nerve-wracking experience. The voting booths were conveniently located just around the block from my house. I jumped into the car, and I was suddenly overcome with dizziness when I tried to look left and right. I kept driving, thinking I would get there shortly. But something went wrong. Much time passed, and I had no clue where I was. It was now dark outside, and I was lost. I caught a whiff of ocean water, which was at least a half-hour away from my home. Frightened and confused, I pulled over and cried.”
― Kathleen Klawitter, Direct Hit: A Golf Pro's Remarkable Journey back from Traumatic Brain Injury

“Andrei could not guess how long the patient had been in this condition. For all he knew, the patient might not have known that smartphones existed, who the president was, or that the pandemic had even occurred. Andrei contemplated the brother’s state—and imagined a mind sinking down an infinite well of scattered thoughts and gloom. He speculated the likely craze one would result to from being imprisoned inside a room, isolated from all things and all people for years. The man had no choice but to stare at the ceiling and listen to a machine that breathed for him. He could not taste the flavor of fruit, of beer, of cheese, or any delight to the tongue. He would not know temperature. He could not scratch himself nor could he ask to be scratched. He must have lost count of the days and not know if it was a Thursday in April or Sunday in May. If a nurse said something to him, he was forfeited the human naturality to respond. If a nurse hurt him, he could not protect himself. He had memories, but no friend to create more with.”
― Karl Kristian Flores, A Happy Ghost