The Masks

South Carolina

In partnership with

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Name: Ross C.

City: Anderson, SC

Explanation of Mask: I was 16 when my wreck happened. January 15, 2003 is when it happened. I died twice but am now living my life the right way!!

I love any kind of hunting, I also love Clemson

I am a hardhead ( that is represented by a hammer)

I love Jesus

The eagle stands for freedom, both in this country and in my body. It’s time for me to accept that I may have a few disabilities but I have so much to give.

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Name: Jason T.

City: Belton, SC

Explanation of Mask: My blood runneth orange and purple. I love my Tigers! I am very positive because I have faith. I am “ALL IN”

I will never look back because I am happy with the person I am. It is hard to remember the person I was. Short-term memory loss makes it difficult to remember five minutes ago.

I am living life with love, I see beauty in everything.

I feel that I am amazed and thankful to God that I am alive.

I can be a big flirt. I love to make people feel good about themselves. I am loaded with love!

“Cream of the Crop” is my way of saying that I strive each day to rise to the top of my abilities! 

 

 

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Name: Blaine M.

City: Williamston, SC

Brain Injury: In 2005, I wrapped my Pontiac Firebird around a tree. The roof of the car struck me in the head, causing a TBI Severe dysarthria means I must now communicate using a Samsung tablet. 

Explanation of Mask: The black and yellow side represent life before the wreck. I had just enlisted in the US Army and completed boot camp two years before the wreck so I chose the athletic colors of the US Military Academy at West Point.The green on the other side represents growth, opportunity, and optimism. I chose this color because I believe my wreck was the rain in my life that God is using to grow me into the person I was created to be. It has provided me with the opportunity to grow into the person I am supposed to be. On the top right, I put the word ” stronger” because instead of making me angry and weak in self-pity, my wreck made me a stronger, more thankful person. At the top, I put the Hebrew name for God, Jehovah Jireh. This name means ” The Lord my provider”. Like I said, my wreck was a gracious provision of God to develop me into a tool for His unto His glory. Not only did He provide that opportunity, but He has given me the grace I need t see that purpose in the midst of the difficulty. 

 

 

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Name: Charles

City: West Columbia, SC

Brain Injury: I was 42 years old and fell off of the toilet. I could not get right. I called my son. My son’s mother came and drove me to the hospital. I had suffered a stroke.

Explanation of Mask: My stroke was confusing because I did not know what was going on with me. I woke up on a Sunda evening and I could not move. My family were the ones who told me I had a stroke and a brain injury. I felt angry. My speech was gone.

Now I am determined to get my speech back and the strength back in my right arm and leg. I am powerful because I am regaining my speech. I am optimistic because I don’t know what my arm and eg are going to do, but I am willing to find out.

 

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Name: India R.

City: Winnsboro, SC

Brain Injury:  The explanation of this mask describes the after affects after having this brain injury. I am strong, compassionate, affectionate and positive. I have a very high self-esteem of confidence. I feel as if “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.” I’m becoming more independent over the years and even more heartwarming. ” Giving up is never an option” in my book,  even when thing become rough. You just have to keep your head high and do things that are going to benefit you and your family. I want everyone with disabilities to stay strong and to remain confident. 

 

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Name: Shelia B.

City: Lugoff, SC

Brain Injury:  I had a CVA while cooking breakfast for my nieces. I began to feel funny so I drove myself to the hospital. When I got there I could not speak. I slipped into a coma for 2 weeks.

Explanation of mask: When I woke up from my stroke. I had to be taught how to walk again and how to turn my head all the way to the right to see the whole room. It is like I am split in two. My right side is very heavy and my left side is normal. I have half of my vision but thank God I’m still here!

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Name: Antonio G.

City: Columbia, SC

Brain Injury:  I was in a bad car wreck.

Explanation of mask:  Even though life has many changes, you don’t have to change unless you want to. The things that we go through in life are how it’s supposed to be. Everything happens for a reason. It’s either you want to win or you don’t, I made a choice to win and not lose.

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Name: Tim M.

City: Charleston, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Stroke with right hemiplegia. ( The client has trouble with language and expressing his thoughts.)

Explanation of mask: Lisa, my wife, is my heart. She has motivated me as I recover.

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Name: Berline M.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  I was 32 years old when I had my stroke. I also lost my vision during that time. I was in a coma for two weeks.

Explanation of mask: After my brain injury I was able to find my identity. I just did not know what to do. So no matter what comes your way you can always look up to our heavenly Father, we can still say thanks. In this fleshly body, you have to embrace the good and the bad. You know something, both the good and the bad can help us become more mature about life. It can also help our character of who we are today. Teaching us to not focus on the bad thing that has happened but to stay focused on the good thoughts and move forward. Always take time to sit back and look at the situation, look up and then look into oneself…Stay away from people with negative minds because you have enough on your plate. Remember, we all have different gifts, no need to compare oneself with others. 

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Name: Benjamin P.

City: Charleston, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke

Explanation of mask: For my mask, I chose to use the colors gold, blue, red, purples and green. Each color serves its own purpose towards the mask. For example, the color gold was used to outline the hair of the mask as a symbol of my golden days. They are still here as long as I keep the faith and continues to progress daily. The color blue was used for the eyebrows to show the times where I feel lonely and depressed. The color red is used for a representation of all the blood that has been shed during the time of my accident. Purple, however, was used for the bags under the eye to show that I am really tired and worn out. The color green is displayed on the chin of the mask as a symbol of the financial burden this whole progress has placed on my life. 

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Name: Billy A.

City: Lexington, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired an injury by being run over by a huge crane tire.

Explanation of mask: ” I am alive because of God!” 

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Name: Greg H.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired injury while being a passenger in a motor vehicle accident.

Explanation of mask: Hopeless, Challenged and Grouchy

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Name: Paul R.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired injury while being a passenger in a motor vehicle accident.

Explanation of mask: These colors make me feel great because I’m happy to be alive.

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Name: Elzie G.

City:

Brain Injury:  Acquired injury while riding a motorcycle with no helmet. 

Explanation of mask: Darkness on the outside, enlightenment frustration, appreciation, courageous and lucky.

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Name: Shonta A.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired injury while driving a motor vehicle. 

Explanation of mask: Shows my favorite color purple. These colors are also my church colors. The gold shows how I shine through but the purple shows that I am confused about things from time to time. 

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Name: Maynard W.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired injury while being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Explanation of mask: Blue was chosen for my father’s eyes. Red was chosen for my mother’s favorite color ” I miss both my parents.” 

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Name: Courtney B

City:

Brain Injury:  Involved in a car crash while walking down the street.

Explanation of mask: This mask shows blue and brown which are my favorite colors. ” If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be here. So, Thank You God!” 

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Name: Jamen E.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired a brain tumor which resulted in injury.

Explanation of mask: Tired, Tranquil and Overwhelmed 

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Name: William L.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury:  Acquired a brain tumor at a young age.

Explanation of mask: This mask shows the colors of my two favorite teams who are the University of South Carolina Gamecocks! The other team is Massachusetts Patriots, Go, Patriots! 

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Name: Shawn B.

City: Columbia, S.C.

Brain Injury: My brain injury was sustained through driving under the influence of alcohol.  

Explanation of mask: My mask symbolizes the ThinFirst Program in which I am VIP. The black which is over the mouth shows the damage to my speech that I sustained due to my car accident. However, it also symbolizes the voice I have gained by advocating for people with brain injuries and helping kids prevent them. The red represents the Unversity of South Carolina, in which I was in law school with and the black is the unfinished goals I feel I left behind. 

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Name: Eddie W.

City: Lexington, S.C.

Brain Injury: Acquired injury due to having a stroke.

Explanation of mask: Shows two shades of blue, while blue is my favorite color, that the lighter blue is the day to day thoughts I have. The white shows unfinished, the emptiness. The dark blue is a little darkness at times. But the yellow is the burst of sunshine that my family brings to my life. 

Name: Khalid R.

City:

Brain Injury: Acquired injury due to falling down the stairs at the age of 6. 

Explanation of mask: Shows how I overcame my difficulties. Now I am an advocate. 

Name: John 

City: York

Brain Injury: All-terrain vehicle accident

Explanation of Mask: The camo colors on my mask represent my love of hunting, the peace sign is for my “inner hippie”, and I enjoy fishing….more poles equal more fish!

Name: Joe

City: York

Brain Injury: Victim of a violent assault at age 13

Explanation of Mask: Pain, confusion, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, rage, angst, minority, profiled.

Name: Brooke C

City: Rock Hill

Brain Injury: Motor Vehicle Accident

Explanation of Mask: The dark left side of my mask represents my life before my accident, which was going down the wrong path.  The right side represents my life after my accident, which is given to God and now much more bright.  I owe everything to God and I am so thankful He changed my life and saved me. 

Name: Justin                    

City: Charleston

Brain Injury: Hit by a car in 2009-April 17th-TBI

Explanation of mask: Blue coloring all over the mask to show –Determined-to have a good life despite injury.

-Red eyes represent “frustration” – seeing things you wish you could do

-Yellow represents “quiet” – change after injury

Name: Laura V                   

City: Columbia

Brain Injury: Ruptured AVM and hemorrhagic stroke (2006)

Explanation of mask: The mask is unfinished because I am a work in progress. The gray represents confusion and depression. The vibrant colors also show the unexpected joy the brain injury has also provided via relationships and personal growth.

Name: Les Paul M.

City: Warrenville

Brain Injury: 3 concussions, 2 brain aneurisms, coma survivor, AVM, cranial removal, 15 metal clips, and a porcelain plate in my head but still alive and kicking

Explanation of mask: The colors of paint the struggle of recovery. I am happy to have recovered to the best of my ability but I’m sad that society is still judging people with TBI.

Also our legislator and leaders have created a society of have and have nots in the disability community and especially need to end the Federal Marriage Penalty against people with disabilities.

Name: Lizzi                        

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: Stroke at age 8

Explanation of mask: “Frisky like a Fox” Because foxes are free like I want to be. They hunt to gather food for their young. My fox has Naruto whiskers on it.

Name: Luke and Lucky 

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: Luke- TBI from lack of oxygen to the brain in the early 2000s.  It caused Luke to have a short term coma and travel an ongoing 17 year road to recovery.

Lucky- TBI from a bicycle accident without a helmet 5 years ago 

Explanation of mask: The crossword puzzle represents all the answers are floating around in our head; but sometimes hard to from the answers.  The eyes in the forehead represent the missing eyes in the mask; they are the true eyes.  The hat is there, because we all wear a hat of some type.  And the chompers represent our talk for nourishment and symbolizes our speech door.

Luke and Lucky are good friends.  Lucky is an essential part of Luke’s rehab; and Luke helps Lucky with his rehab as a morale support.  Lucky helps Luke ride a recumbent bike in Greenville, SC.

 

Name: Madelyn                

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: Brain tumor as a baby

Explanation of mask: Pink and purple favorite colors. Like all different colors.

 

Name: Megan        

City: 

Brain Injury: 

Explanation of mask: 

 

Name: James G.                 

City: Columbia

Brain Injury: TBI motor vehicle accident, normal conditions – head on

Explanation of mask: Expression of so many directions of the brain and heart.  The colorful view from the eyes of a TBI survivor.  

Love, love, love

 

Name: Stephanie (mom of James)                  

City: Lexington

Brain Injury: 9/28/13 motor vehicle accident

Explanation of mask: 

Loved/cherished

There’s a lot going on in hi head that’s under lock and key.

It’s confusing/scary to deal with after effects from injury/chaotic why ?’s, why can’t thing work like they’re supposed to: walking, moving, talking

Name: Nicholas F.              

City: Columbia

Brain Injury: I fell from the top of a 2 story building crushing the back of my skull and fracturing the top 2 vertebrae in my neck. Massive frontal lobe trauma.

Explanation of mask: The fire represents paid. Bad wolf represents my calm happy place, and the blood splatter pattern represents all of the years I paid with blood to simply survive. The ninja mask represents my love of martial arts

Name: Sabrina K. 

City: Anderson

Brain Injury: Massive cerebral hemorrhage from AVM rupture in 2001 

Explanation of mask: The left side that is green represents my life before the injury.  It was good and normal but nothing special.  The right side that is pink represents my life now.  It’s my left side of my body that is paralyzed and reminds me of how blessed I am.  It shows happiness and joy.  Life after the injury is much sweeter!

Name: Shane C                   

City: Lexington

Brain Injury: Hit my head, Automobile accident

Explanation of mask: Crazy mustache/unibrow insecurity

Name: Tate M.       

City: Mt. Pleasant

Brain Injury: Ruptured Brain Aneurysm

Explanation of mask: My mask is painted like a blue line because I was a police officer with an eagle on the forehead because I am an eagle scout; I am smiling because I am happy with my life.

 

 

Name: Tyron J           

City: Boiling Springs

Brain Injury: Received my TBI from impacting sidewalk and ice covered cobblestone during an ice storm.

Explanation of mask: My mask shows pain, anger, sadness, crying and drooling.  My mask also shows my injury.

 

Name: Valerie                

City: Mt. Pleasant

Brain Injury: Misdiagnosed, wrong medications.  Did not get the right medical help until permanent damage had occurred head to toe, “Dame bramage.”

Explanation of mask: This has been a metamorphic process thorugh trials of tears as I accepted my coccoonint towards recovery.  Green to grow from being one person to another.  “Yellow” is it “me” you’re looking for?  Orange you glad to be alive?  Feel your spiritual awakening to find a new purple paradise.

LOS AMIGO’S

On the Los Amigo’s scale,

There is no pass,

There is no fail.

This complex trail we travel on,

Also has no magic wand!

Back and forth or up and down,

Weave new webs,

Achieve new ground.

A broken crown is on your head,

A sight unseen, grateful not dead!

Hope next exit for this chick-a-dee,

Thanks to all who stand by me.

What I will learn,

Where I will go,

God has my plan,

That’s all I know!

7—–>18—->2016 VAL*

Name: Adonis

City: Hollywood

Brain Injury: TBI cause July 14, 2009 from a car accident 

Explanation of mask: I feel appreciated because people trust me and respect me.

I am very loveable.

I am a wonderful uncle, brother, son, nephew, grandson.

I am proud to graduate high school.

I am determined to get my G.E.D.

I am hurt inside!

I am glad to be alive.

 

 

Name: Artie                   

City: Goose Creek

Brain Injury: TBI Brain Injury was a cement finisher worker doing parking garages and driveway of homes

Explanation of mask: The color of the mask red is anger.  Greatful, tranquil, humorous, optimistic, vivacious.

 

 

Name: Cyndy                   

City: N. Augusta

Brain Injury: Roll over car accident my junior year in college

Explanation of mask: Van Gogh painted “Starry Night” from the window of his asylum room. It was just before sunrise and he added a village. So to me, it reminds me that even when you feel trapped inside, there’s always a sunrise and you can always change your view.

 

 

Name: Damione

City: North Charleston

Brain Injury: Car accident

Explanation of mask: I am awesome because I am a friendly person.

I have the ability to be independent.

I can stay calm through anything.

 

 

Name: Danny

City: Hartsville

Brain Injury: Brain tumor at 42 years old

Explanation of mask: Challenges

Vision problems

Anger management

Poor organization skills

Confusion

Depression

Short term memory issues

Grateful

Humble

Spiritual journey

Word finding

 

 

Name: David A.

City: Columbia

Brain Injury: Suicide Attempt 

Explanation of mask: Shows both my intellectual side and my creative side.  When both sides work together they are more expressive.

Name: Dede N.           

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: 6/10/199 Car accident in Buladean, NC

Explanation of mask: Left frontal lobe,

Occipital lobe- moderate TBI

Red = trauma seen

Blue = sadness and physical damage

Mine is an invisible injury punctuated only by those things. I share in telling my story.

Name: Erica R.                  

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: Car wreck when I was 5 years old

Explanation of mask: I painted blue in the top left corner because that’s where my brain injury occurred. I used orange and purple because I love my Clemson Tigers. I cut out words and pictures that describe me.

Name: Frank               

City: Greenville

Brain Injury: Drinking, driving, no seatbelt.  2nd brain injury 

Explanation of mask: 

Name: Christopher H.

City: Pelzer, SC

Explanation of Mask: My mask is the day and night of my life. The words are how I live my life. The cross is what I worship.

Name: Carly C.

City: Anderson, SC

Explanation of Mask: My mask represents how much I love life. Purple and orange are my favorite colors. They are vibrant and happy, just like me! I’m happy to be living a full life and I’m a strong person because I have fought many battles since my brain injury. I don’t always win, but I learn and become stronger through each battle Life is full of fun and love if you choose to seek it!

Name:  Tony A.

City/State:  Abbeville, SC

Brain Injury: Hit by a train in 2012

Explanation of mask: This is painted in black one side and white the other side. It includes the words big sexy and strong and happy. One left side is bright white wearing a smile; while the right side is black, crying and frowning.

Name:  Stanley S.

City/State:  Abbeville, SC

Brain Injury: Head on collision 5/2009

Explanation of mask: This is painted in green on top and black on the bottom. The words “happy, happy, happy”, “painful headaches”, “memory glitches”, “yucky”, “sleep”, “when you’re completely burned-out,” “Myth: your brain functions,” “knowing yourself” relates to all of the different aspects of surviving a brain injury for me.

Name:  Lakeisha W

City/State:  Greenwood, SC

Brain Injury: 4 Strokes beginning 2001 until 2004

Explanation of mask: This mask was painted in yellow on one side, black and red on the other side. It included the words: confident, radiant, speak out, power and beautiful. It included the slogan “make it happen.”

Name:  Jake T.

City/State:  Moncks Corner, SC

Brain Injury: Brain Abscess

Explanation of mask: Pride, doubt, fear, pain, free, anger, grateful, gracious.  The blue stands for my silence for the first 17 years.  The words are how I feel.  The blank white in the mask represents a blank canvas in my story that I can fill in (the canvas), while the blue on the left side is still there to fade away as I grow. 

Name:  Tiffany L.

City/State:  Union, SC

Brain Injury:  Post-Concussion Syndrome

Explanation of Mask:  The left side of my mask represents when my life was not perfect, but I was happy and took care of myself. The right side of my mask is how I felt after my accident. I was depressed and felt like a worthless burden to my family, but the bottom right is what got me through. The red balloon is everything I thought would be good for me, but it always flew away.

Name:  Kyle C.

City/State:  Fort Mill, SC

Brain Injury:  TBI after motorcycle wreck 07/2016

Explanation of Mask:  The dog and young girl represent my dog and my daughter. The blood on the forehead and temple show point of impact. “Good to go” quote shows that I am still alive. The cross represents my Christian faith. The music notes are for my love of music. The tears are for the struggle I went through. The “Knowledge” quote is a Bruce Lee quote. He is my idol.

Name:  Yancey M.

City/State:  Rock Hill, SC

Brain Injury:  Stroke

Explanation of Mask:  I am lucky and blessed because I had a stroke, but I am still here and able to do things. I am not paralyzed. I lost my speech and every time I want to talk there is confusion in my head. I don’t know why. I am determined and optimistic to get better.

Name:  Barry M.

City/State:  Greenville, SC

Brain Injury:  Car Accident in 1982

Explanation of Mask:  This depicts the many activities I’ve experienced since coming out of a coma. I believe that confidence and determination lead to my enjoying life. I had certainly undergone setbacks, but never have chosen to feel second rate.

Name:  David A.

City/State:  Greenville, SC

Brain Injury:  Frontal Lobe and cerebellum surgery/fall during hospitalization

Explanation of Mask:  I wanted people to understand what I am going through and what it took to bring me back. I also wanted people to understand that I did not cause my injury. The picture at the top shows my pain and anger. The bottom of the picture is how I felt at first (like a pit of hot lava). The words at the mouth are how I felt after I got support and help from my two girls and Vocational Rehab.

Name:  Karen H.

City/State:  Charleston, SC

Brain Injury:  Car Accident 01/01/07

Explanation of Mask:  After being hospitalized for six months and coming home, needing help to gain my independence back. I felt the highs and lows in life and was confused on how to get my independence back and get where I’d be happy and where I want to be.

Name:  Bethany J.

City/State:  Lexington, SC

Brain Injury:  Viral Encephalitis

Explanation of mask:  When I was 14 I got very ill with Viral Encephalitis (VE), which is how I got my brain injury. The side of the mask with the sun and rainbow symbolize my life before I got sick. The jagged red line symbolizes the 2 months that I was in the hospital, very ill. The other side of the mask symbolizes how my life is now. I’ve forgotten almost all of my life before I was 14. There are only very small, random memories of my life before I got sick which is what the black part with white lines in it represent. The upper part is grey because now my memory is very bad and I am always in a bit of a fog. The way I got VE is through a bug bite, which is what the bumble bee is. I now have epilepsy and never know when a seizure is going to strike which is what the storm cloud and lightening represent. The tears in the shape of hearts are because while I’m sad to have gotten my brain injury, causing my life to be changed so drastically, I’m thankful to still be alive and have such a great, supportive family that I know will always be there for me. I have a key and lock on my mask because I fee. Very locked into my current way of living because of my disabilities. So far my meds, the key to opening the locks, have not fit which is why they are different colors. Finally, I have a lot of small question marks because now I also have facial blindness causing it to be very difficult to remember names and faces. Most times I feel as though I’m meeting someone for the first time, even if we have already met multiple times.

Name:  Cameron H.

City/State:  Columbia, SC

Brain Injury:  Skateboarding Accident

Explanation of mask: On the bottom of the mask, there are pictures that describe how I acted before my accident. Then my life was punched hard by a solid hand, just an inch from dying. From that accident it took a year before I could talk or remember anything. With the medicine, it partially helped me live, but the main thing that kept me living was God. With that, I continue growing and learning. My family, mama Lisa, Adrian, Kathy and many other people have helped me. With all that help, I believe that it is best to always use my mind, grow my body and to always think of God. All of this keeps me going.

Name: Cierra B

City/State: York, SC

Brain Injury: JPA brain tumor.

Explanation of Mask: This mask represents how I felt before the tumor was extracted (LEFT) and how I felt after (RIGHT). How I felt and its location is symbolic, the LEFT was very close to me. It’s like when one gets married they wear the band on the left. I always felt ugly and not very accepted by anyone. When I was young everyone thought I was the problem until someone else came out as being bullied by the same person. I went to countless psychologists to figure out what was wrong. I was then put on several pills that were then taken off the market for suicides. After though, I was only given pain meds which I didn’t use after the first week. You will notice that on the left blood is red, meaning I felt like everyone else and on the right blood is gold. I felt beautiful on the inside and out. Since the tumor I have done Olympic training and gone to community college where I focused on the arts, anthropology, sociology and psychology. I wouldn’t be the person on the left ever again when the life on the right is what I would strive for. On the inside are things I won’t say. I may use them in sentences but will never use them as adjectives referring to me. Still I live with the saying, “Normal dreams are your reality”.

Name: Wanda C.

City/State: Rembert, SC

Brain Injury: Stroke on left side of my brain

Explanation of Mask: The left side shows after my brain injury, my life shattered. The right side shows my life was colorful and full of joy.

Name: Samuel D.

City/State: Columbia, SC

Brain Injury: I stopped to help my Muslim brother with a flat tire and then I was hit by a car.

Explanation of Mask: I divided the mask from the time I was in a coma until I woke up in 10-15 days. I made this mask black and blue. Black stands for when I was in a coma. Blue stands for when I woke up. Black stands for anger, challenges, compassion and pain. Blue stands for being strong, empathy, proud, being different, pride and welcomed. Being in a coma was a difficult part of my life that I still deal with.

Name: Dakya S

City/State: Columbia, SC

Brain Injury: TBI- I flew out of the car window in 2007. I hit my head on the window and I flew out. I was in a deep sleep and woke up in the hospital.

Explanation of Mask: Depression, happiness, anxiety, always angry and sadness. Being different from everybody else. Taking criticism from people, feeling like a nobody and not being loved or liked by everybody else. Feeling like a third wheel, a lot of pain and always feeling like I’m in the dark. Nobody realizing that I’m having a lot of depression and sadness. Sometimes my expression affects people because I keep my emotions inside unless I get angry. My mask shows feelings, moods, and affections.

Name: Christopher S

City/State: Orangeburg, SC

Brain Injury: My brain injury occurred when I was 3(2/6/96). I was hit by a motor vehicle and diagnosed with frontal lobe syndrome 4 years later (05/07/2000).

Explanation of Mask: Disaster-piece describes my mask. One side is painted as a splatter of black and red because I felt like a pawn my whole life and didn’t know my way or position in life. The right side represents art, as if it was my escape from feeling low as the years went by.

 

Name: James

City/State: Columbia, SC

Brain Injury: Two strokes

Explanation of Mask: On my right side, I feel like I’ve been locked up. I feel conflict and lazy. On my left side I feel like a rainbow; joyful, loving and kind. The left side represents going on with life itself. After my stroke, I am learning to use my right hand and walk better with my right leg. My left side works. I feel like I am fighting against myself all of the time.

Name: Jack C.

City/State: Florence, SC

Brain injury: High winds and diagonal drop zone while in 82nd airborne division U.S. Army

Explanation of Mask: The numbers are my ages. The yellow road and the green is the feeling growing up with endless possibilities. The camouflaged mouth was the army and the injury. My mouth was foul, my attitude even worse. The black road and the circle around my eye is the constant and frustrating efforts to find my place in this world, a circle that never had found the road ahead. Now through SCVR I feel on fire for the sunshine which lost its warmth to me. My seasons find peace, my path doesn’t seem so cloudy anymore. It all starts with my spirit, efforts, and forgiveness.

 

Name: Anthony M.

City/State: Columbia, SC

Brain injury: Assault

Explanation of Mask: There is a lot of hurt that I have inside of me from being assaulted, robbed and not knowing who did it. I’m building my faith in God. No matter what I do I will have suffering in my life.

Name: Michael P.

City/State: Florence, SC

Brain injury: I was 17 years old and I was told that I had a brain tumor. I was scared the night that I was in the hospital. A light appeared over me and told me that I was going to be ok. I made it but now at the VR I am having problems. But I am still here and alive. Thank you, Jesus.

Explanation of Mask: God I learned a lot from my brain injury and learn to live with it.

 

Name: Brandon S.

City/State: Charleston, SC

Brain injury: I got assaulted

Explanation of Mask: The old me is still converting into the better me. The black is what caused me to have my brain injury walking in the dark. The yellow is the breakthrough and me seeing the light and doors opening up for me. I’m trying to remain focused and humble. I want to help youth stop making poor decisions, choices and violence.

Name: Larry W.

City/State: Greenville, SC

Brain injury: Chemical exposure affecting short term memory.

Explanation of Mask: Reflecting surprise of this new experience to my mind and body in an unexpected way, challenging normal and confident emotions and feelings. These were witnessed by significant other (wife) as these effects took place both physically and mentally to our daily way of life. 32 words were selected to represent previous feelings and emotions of confidence and degree of satisfaction to daily feelings and emotions whereas after chemical exposure even occurred, bringing about concern and need to be thankful for Godly mercy shown and refocus.

Name: Vicki H.

City/State: Columbia, SC

Brain injury: BI-car wreck

Explanation of Mask: The lower half is dark because I don’t remember most of 2017 because of the BI and sleep. I put building blocks raising up to represent making effort to get back up and get going again with VR and working in the preschool. The yellow represent hope and also my favorite color, after the accident changed from yellow to blue. Sunset across the forehead is a reminder of beauty at the end of everyday and hope and promise of tomorrow with new beginnings. The first months after the accident it hurt to think, every morning I’d wake up and tell myself the LORD delights in Vicki for with no strings attached. And added landscape to the forehead is a reminder that sometimes the rain comes during sunshine, and that’s good too!

Name: Jennifer P.

City/State: Spartanburg, SC

Brain Injury: Brain bleed from a brain biopsy.

Explanation of Mask: The gray in the back represent the depression I feel always at the back of my mind. The red X represents how my brain injury has limited my ability to express myself (thought organization, literal speech volume). The words represent my writing skills, which I notice have I skewed/reflected my experience as a brain injury survivor. However, the word “amen” is outlined to represent how despite all of the crap I’ve experienced I know (I KNOW) that God can and will use this for my ultimate good. Praise the Lord for that.

Name: Frank S.

City/State: Greenville, SC

Brain Injury: Sept 2013 Car accident drinking and driving, no seat belt, opioids while being epileptic. Thrown from car, C2 neck fracture and TBI.

Explanation of Mask: Red and black for the frustration and not understanding why. White and blue for feeling better about myself and for trying to make sense of what happened. The crosses are for the second chance I was given. The pig is for comedy and laughter and my favorite rock band Pink Floyd.

Name: Maryann K.

City/State: York County.

Brain Injury: About 7 years ago I took one of the worst beating of my life and recently was in a car accident. In the car accident I didn’t adjust the seatbelt, so I hit my head again after its been pre-damaged before

Explanation of Mask: So, the mask is my worries on the outside. The love of life is my friends people I love. The love to never given up no matter what with all the other stuff on mask that why its green, lavender white, those colors are cheerful and happy. Dark blue, red, black are more the sad feelings. Faith/hope is at the end it’s hard to have when you have multiple thins working against, in body, mind and heart.

 

Name: Robert Lloyd

City/State: Spartanburg, SC

Brain Injury: I had a fight with a table saw that caused a blood clot that caused two strokes.

Explanation of Mask: My mask has cracks to demonstrate how I feel cracked and broken. The flames by the mouth represent my issues with speech and the frustration with getting the right words out. The red and orange are like mood swings from not being able to do the things I used to do.

Name: Jasper C

City/State: Kershaw, SC

Brain Injury: I was a bad alcoholic. I got a ride from a guy on a tractor going to get some alcohol. I suffered a seizure, fell off, got ran over and I don’t remember anything.

Explanation of Mask: I kind of keep all my emotions or feelings inside most of the time. The web represents being trapped up most of the time.

Name: Andy W.

City/State: Boiling Springs, SC.

Brain Injury: In 2007, I had a motorcycle wreck that broke many bones and injured the left side of my brain. It affected my right side and I had to relearn everything over like a child.

Explanation of Mask: I am always happy and sad- my emotions change that fast. I have a motorcycle to represent my accident. I have an explosion on because it is like my brain exploded.

 

Name: Nicholas H.

City/State: Lancaster, SC

Brain Injury: I was in a motorcycle accident and suffered a TBI.

Explanation of Mask: I am very appreciative for my friends and family in my life. It is dynamic how well they all are for me. My mask plans to show also how empowered and energetic I am. Lastly, I will state how glorious and graceful I am. Since my TBI, most of the time I feel like an outcast that needs mending somehow. My family (mother and stepfather) take me camping and show me how close we are with each other.

Name: Andrew W.

City/State: Inman, SC

Brain Injury: I suffered a traumatic brain injury in late December 2012. I got into a car with a drunk driver. He wrecked on his way home. I survived but I am speaking out to help TBI.

Explanation of Mask: The hole represents his light at the end of the tunnel. The cross and tiger paw represents my faith and what my passion for Clemson football. Giving hope represents that I am a public speaker for Think First, through Spartanburg Regional.

Name: Thomas L.

City/State: Society Hill, SC

Brain injury: Gun shot to lower left mandible, jaw, where it passed through my face and sinuses, exiting between my right eye and eyebrow. Afterwards, severe short-term memory loss and PTSD.

Explanation of Mask: For all the color, it’s for all my emotions and thoughts, it’s a place I go often to escape. The legendary road trip is to represent that my TBI is just another part of my life story. The red X is for where a bullet left me blind in my right eye after entering my lower jaw on the opposite side. The birdie with the bomb is just my sense of humor. The black background is for all the darkness that I’ve been through. But the most important part is on the mouth, the word service. Somewhere deep inside I can come up again because that’s what I’ve always done and done well, and that’s to survive.

Name: Franklin G.

City/State: Easley, SC

Brain injury: I was hit on a bike from behind by a car, I could not walk or wash myself for years, I was sad, but I kept praying to God.

Explanation of Mask: God has blessed my life. I can walk now, I can wash now, I can drive now, but never ride a bike again. I love the South Carolina Gamecocks real talk.