City: Honolulu, HI

Brain Injury: I was violently beaten for about an hour by a former friend during my first year at UHM. I ended up having 3 cranial contusions and soft tissue damage. I was diagnosed with PTSD and post-concussion syndrome.

Explanation of Mask:  Post-concussion syndrome is extremely painful for me. Most cases are gone in 6 months, but 4 years later, I still have headaches, confusion, amnesia, trouble speaking, sleep disturbances, and foggy thoughts. It feels like wearing a helmet that’s getting tighter and tighter. It feels like a metal band around my head digging in. It feels like suddenly getting shot in the head. It feels like my head is cracked open. Sometimes it makes me break down and cry. Sometimes I have bouts of amnesia where I suddenly have no idea what’s going on. It’s really hard, but at least I’m still alive.