City: Miami

Brain Injury: Acquired Brain Injury, as a result of Herpes Encephalitis (July 2012).  My biggest challenge cause by my brain injury is Central Pain Syndrome.

Explanation of Mask: The two different colors represent my positive and negative emotions.  The black side is negative and the purple is positive, including my coping strategies.  The twho photos on the black side represent my grief and the mourning of my pre-brain injury life.  Some things have improved over time, while others have not.  Some have even gotten worse.  The bottom two photos on the purple side (umbrella and sunrise) represent gratitude.  Despite my challenges, I have so much to be grateful for.  Upon seeing my brain MRI, every neurologist I’ve ever seen is astounded that my impairment is not much worse that it is.  I have had many other blessings in my life.  No matter how frustrated, sad, or angry I get I can change my focus to what I’m grateful for.  This always makes my load easier to bear.  The photo above the eye on the purple side represents my love of music.  Music helps me to celebrate the good times, and helps me get through the bad times.  I use it to distract myself from what’s going on, and I also use it as a motivator to take the actions I need to take.  The last photo is the one at the top: Hope.  It gets me through my darkest times.  I always have hope that many things will continue to improve over time.  For the things that may never improve over time, I have hope that at least my ability to live with, and accept these challenges will improve.