City: Albuquerque

Brain Injury: Acquired Brain Injury from Cerebral Palsy

Explanation of Mask:  I call the mask “the Paradox.”  It is representative of all the different aspects of my journey as a person with a brain injury.  The black portion with the tear is representative of the pain, anger, resentment, fear, and sense of aloneness and sadness. the green portion represents the growth and healing along the way.  The purple represents empathy, compassion, and courage that I experienced and witness in others and the light that brings.  The red portion represents the passion and the sense of feeling expanded through living with a brain injury, and the boldness and bravery and immense love that goes along with it.  The lighting bolt in the middle represents the way the world provides a space for one’s light to shine through.  The opening in the mouth depicts all these aspects coming together to help me use my voice to empower others on their journey.  “I see the light, I honor your tears.”