City: Raleigh

Brain Injury: Hemorrhagic Stroke

Explanation of Mask: I split the mask into four quadrants going clockwise from top left to represent different phases of my life.  1) Before brain injury life was easier, calmer and simpler.  2) While sustaining the injury it was dark.  I was not present; my love ones were left to wonder if I would survive.  It was as if I lost limbo.  3) My life is now harder, more complicated in a good way.  I married my wife who has supported me.  Things are clearer as to my path forward.  4) The blue represents the clear blue skies and calm seas I expect to see as I sail off into the sunset in the future.  This is my happy ending to which I am hard at work.  The starburst in the upper right quadrant near the midline represents the explosion of the blood vessel in the middle of my brain.  The kissing couple and beach chairs represent my current happiness with my wife.