Name: Melissa G.

City: Flagstaff, AZ

Brain Injury: MULTIPLE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES (TBI). I experienced my first TBI when I was young (2002) and there was not awareness or care for TBI. I healed and functioned at a full capacity. After having a 2nd TBI at 16 from another rollover car crash, I had more options of therapy and rehabilitation. Thru care and healing I realized the severity of both injuries and the importance to adjust my ENTIRE LIFE to accommodate my “NEW SELF.”

Explanation of mask:  My mask displays myself navigating thru the fears of living everyday life after TWO TBI’s. The splattered dots represent the absence of joy I once knew. The question mark displays the CONSTANT UNKNOWN I still face. The lines across the mouth represent my voice that was shaken and forever changed. The lightning represents physical effects of neck pain, tinnitus, light and noise sensitivity that have improved but are still present. The words around the mask represent the CHALLENGES that I still cope with. The cross shows my faith that has constant support.