City:  Jacksonville, NC

Brain Injury: TBI sustained as passenger in private motor vehicle while U.S. Marine on active duty, Okinawa, 1976.  Climbed out of wreck, transported to hospital and passed out, several days in ICU, then out to regular ward; fractured neck, hip, hand, other injuries, no head injury diagnosis.  Period of light duty recovery and then “back to work/carry on.” Pressure would build on right side of the brain, sometimes brief and disappear, others build and persist, and then piercing flash of pain.  Still, “carry on, mission to support.”  As time and age advance symptoms change, no specific trigger events identified; can be under pressure to perform tasks/meet goals and feel pressure build, OR be reading a book/watching tv and get flash of pain; varying degrees, variable levels of pain.  Now treatment with medicines, however still have random occurrences.  When will it end? Unknown! Press on regardless! Enjoy each day!

Explanation of Mask: Camo pattern cut from my uniform, one of many from 28+ years active duty.  Blue side= cold, tolerances changed, suppression; Spike at location of impact, where pain begins and penetrates into brain.  Stitches between camo into Blue represent efforts to tie my life together, before and after injury.  Dark spot above eye is where pressure lingers after lightning flashes (orange painted lines with flecks of glitter for heat).  Closed lips because sometimes I cannot express myself clearly; sometimes I think things but I do not want to say them.  BIANC has been a very big help in assisting me learn more about TIB, my condition, and providing an opportunity to help others.