City: Honolulu

Brain Injury: My first brain injury happened in 1969 when my ex-husband was driving drunk and rammed our car into the rear end of a parked 18 wheeler truck traveling  approximately 50 miles an hour. I flew threw the windshield of our sturdy ’57 Ford.

I was not allowed visitors for 3 days.  When friends came to see me they would come in, look at me and leave.  On day 4, I was helped to the bathroom and was horrified.  My head and face was covered in bandages.  Spots not covered were unrecognizable. 

Explanation of Mask: My mask shows my face hiding behind mini-blinds.  For 17 years my ex-husband never gave me a compliment except for “You look nice”.  The wounds on my face have healed and my hair covers my scars.  I was ashamed, confused, frightened, and overwhelmed.  Memory failed me and my body.