City: Pasadena, MD

Brain Injury:  Motor Vehicle Accident

Explanation of Mask: I had a traumatic brain injury to the right side of my brain so the black part of my mask represents that dark aspects and the coma. Yellow is for looking up and the gratitude to be alive. I’ve always loved dancing. In some circles I’m known as the princess of fun, which is represented by the pink feather. I also have the initials of the organizations that I am involved in on my mask. DORS, the Division of Rehabilitation services is for my career as a career assessment specialist before my brain injury. I transferred the skills and knowledge from that job to working with the Brain Injury Association of Maryland and volunteering on their conference committee. I’m also a member of the Traumatic Brain injury Advisory Board which is  a governor appointed council that advises the governor and legislature on how to enhance the lives of individuals with brain injury. IL, which stands for Independent Living, is a movement with a focus on people with disability having choice and control in their lives. Love is for the love of family and friends which I believe brought me back to life after my coma and this love continues to inspire me to live each day to the fullest.