Brain Injury: Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (including expressive receptive aphasia) secondary to motor vehicle accident.

Explanation of Mask: I remember my first day at intensive outpatient rehab and thought that mentally I was fine. Then a few days passed and I met my psychologist there and she asked me something about my college and I couldn’t remember and I started crying.  I realized something was wrong.  Denial is a big part of it because you don’t want to be in this situation.  A lot of what just having to realize there was a point and purpose to be at rehab.  I felt at first like I didn’t belong but now I know we are all going through the same thing no matter what level we are on. Red/Fire-represents my anger, what I have felt the most, especially at the beginning. Fire brings together many different emotions (colors). Blue-mixed emotions, denial, strength, clarity, loyalty. Fist-strength. Kellan-my son has been my motivation. Purple, eyes with heart tear-Sadness and pain related to losing sight in my left eye, but I am beginning to accept it.