Brain Injury Biographies
Please enjoy reading about the experiences of brain injury survivors! If you have a story to share, please reach out here.
Gina
Gina's Journey
Gina is a creative. She has always been one to think outside of the box, whether it was being a voice for empathy in the community she grew up in on Long Island or using her hands to create fun and stimulating crafts for the students she taught. This inspiration within her is one thing that has not changed since her TBI diagnosis. The headaches began in 2010, and after consulting doctors she was told she had a meningioma, slow growing and benign. She was told to watch and wait. Finding difficulty navigating the healthcare system while dealing with more pain, and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, Gina struggled with the healthcare system downplaying symptoms she knew she was feeling.
Sometimes the world works in mysterious ways. In 2022 Gina had a fall while in the shower, hitting her head, and waking up on the floor with her feet on top of the tub. What seemed like a painful accident actually led to the MRI that alerted her neurologist that the tumor had grown and needed urgent attending to. Gina described this experience as “surreal to hear,” her initial thoughts being a pressing concern for the loss of her independence. As the tumor had grown, Gina had begun to feel agitation, confusion, and foreign mood swings and outbursts. In her mind, the fall was the biggest blessing in disguise of her life, for it was what had prompted the catching of the tumor, and saved her life. Gina proceeded to undergo a right frontal lobe craniotomy with resection, a surgery involving removing a piece of skull and carefully dissecting and removing the abnormal tissue while mapping critical nerves. Before the surgery, Gina did a lot of reflecting and talking with the people in her life, overpowered with an unusual clarity. Throughout the experience she exhibited resilience, asserting “I’m my mothers child.” Not all has been perfect throughout Gina’s recovery, with lingering vestibular and visual issues, but she has learned acceptance and gratitude, despite hardships that continue. When given tasks she had once given to the kindergarteners she taught, she struggled to complete them. Her spontaneity and sense of adventure has suffered, as even simple events are made so much more difficult. She constantly feels she has an invisible disability, severely impacted and impaired while everyone around her can't see it. “Sometimes I don't know who I am anymore,” she said. She knows there is so much her brain injury can't take away from her. “But I didn't lose my sense of humor,” Gina declared as she told me all the different ways she uses her creative side now. She is currently working on writing a book about her life. Her perspective is rooted in the advice she would give to all; “You’re stronger than you know, take the wins even if they’re little ones, take the credit, be open, learn how to work with what you’re given and trust that even if you don’t know, some good will come of it.” I asked her where she plans to go from here and with a knowing smile she told me “I don't think I’m done yet.” Author: Shaina Pollak
Kamila J
Kamila's Wise Words of Wisdom
Born and raised in New York City, Kamila is what you would call a neighborhood gem. Her community truly adores her. Best friends with the pizza owner right across from her apartment, buddies with her neighbors’ kids when playing basketball in the courtyard, and a devoted daughter to a loving mother. Her support system, she says, is what makes living worth it.
Looking at her bright personality and organized lifestyle, you wouldn’t guess she once endured a major brain injury that left her with a scar on her forehead along with short term memory loss.
She says it took her years for her to finally call it her “beautiful scar.” Up until then —and sometimes still to this day— she says she experienced a sense of “steady stream of frustration.” For her, it was painful to know that what once came easily now felt impossibly difficult. But with time, she’d developed tips and tricks to overcome these streams of frustration: Kamila’s advice on Self respect: Especially relearning how to do the simple tasks and how to rely on others around her made respecting herself challenging. Unable to do things on her own, she said she began noticing that self respect is a conscious effort. One must intentionally give themselves the time and attention to treat themselves, be kinder to themselves, and understand themselves. Constructive criticism: Kamila says she doesn't believe in shallow self talk and positive mindsets. She says she makes sure to constantly give herself constructive self criticism. “So like, what is it that is the issue here? How can we work on something to help change this situation to make it not okay? So work on that. And to be honest, I think I'm pretty good at it.” She says, patience and constantly checking in on herself is key to growth. Organization: With short term memory loss, she struggles with remembering events, schedules, and to do lists. To combat this, she talks highly about her planner skills. Positivity: “Positive self-talk is very important to me and I practice it. Daily, hourly. Minutely? Secondly?” She says living with her niece has taught her to be grateful for the little things in life. What you have in this moment is something to be appreciated. Kamila’s story is a perfect testament to resilience and vulnerability, especially after such a brain injury. In my eyes, Kamila is not just surviving; she is thriving and her passion for life reminds everyone around her that there’s always something to be grateful for even in the hardest parts of our stories. Author: Yukino Wakatsuki
Mauricio
Blandino
Mauricio Blandino sustained a severe head injury, resulting in an intracerebral hemotoma...
Mauricio Blandino, born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, joined me for an interview on February 18th to talk about brain injury. He is the current chair of the NYC chapter of the Brain Injury Association. Prior to this, Blandino spent the majority of his life in the jewelry manufacturing industry. He found inspiration in the intricate jewelry his grandfather had designed. This interest inspired him to further his education of manufacturing, and led him to get an associate degree in dental technology. He related his increased understanding of design and processing to jewelry production, and landed a job at a major manufacturing company. Later into his career he began devoting time to take care of his mother, where he eventually moved from New Jersey to back home in Jackson Heights with her.
Blandino’s life completely changed one evening when he fell down the stairs in his apartment and sustained a severe head injury. His crash landing induced an intracerebral hematoma, or internal brain bleeding, and excessive fluid accumulation in his brain cavity. Blandino talks about his path to recovery, as well as his advocacy journey for all individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Before his injury, describing Blandino as committed to his work in jewelry manufacturing would be an understatement. “I would work at times 12 hours a day 6 days a week…during the busy periods” Blandino explained. “It was my identity.” His brain injury left him feeling at a loss. “It took a long long while for the acceptance of what had occurred” He suddenly experienced problems with cognition, memory, balance, and walking. “I get migraines…I actually have one right now.” Blandino also shared that the injury affected his endocrine system. “My glucose levels became extremely high. I had never once had diabetes, and I am diabetic now.” His journey was a long one, which is unfortunately common when it comes to brain injury. “I had an emergency bilateral craniotomy at Elmhurst hospital…my rehab took place at Sinai” Bandino informed me. He also, like many survivors, partook in a wide range of rehabilitation therapies. “I received vision therapy…I lost my peripheral vision…physical therapy, vestibular therapy, speech therapy.” Blandino was told “[the symptoms] would be permanent”, and he admits at that point in time anxiety took hold of him. “I did what I was told to do with very little effort on my part” But this mentality did not stay with him. Blandino soon began to adapt his outlook, He took what he learned from caring for his mother and applied it to himself. He was also frustrated and felt like his voice and concerns were not being heard. “I feared I would plateau in my treatment…and I acquired a loud voice. It started because I was pissed off. I was not given the right attention for my care.” This began Blandino’s path of advocacy, not just for himself, but for everyone. “We are out there, and we should be.” He stressed that people don’t understand the full scope of effects brain injury has. “It affects the entire family…it's an economic issue. Family members have to work part time or quit their job to care for a survivor.” He encourages reaching out to local representatives to educate them on what survivors need. “I knocked on doors to make people hear me.” Blandino urges doctors and representatives alike to learn more about brain injury. “They need to understand the psychological strain that is at play here” He shared that he had to fight for psychiatric care at Mount Sinai. He explains there are ongoing needs for survivors, such as transportation, healthcare coverage, mental health support, and employment. Though brain injury was only just recently recognized as a chronic condition, it is a step in the right direction. Blandino feels that support groups are key to the brain injury healing process. His neuropsychologist suggested BIANYS in 2012. “Being around like individuals, it was so helpful…hearing their stories about their journeys, it gave me hope about what to look forward to.” Blandino says BIANYS also revived his sense of humour, which he had lost after the injury. He admits that his original plan was not to become chapter leader, but when no one was stepping up to the position, the chapter was at risk of being shut down. In 2019, Blandino became the chair of the NYC chapter. “I saw the importance of the chapter… it was a social group, that socialization factor was so important for those members. For many it was their only social connection to people” He added, “to have someone hear what is going on in your life, those little things are so important.” Blandino is currently a staunch advocate for brain injury survivors, and will be bringing many members from BIANYS with him to advocacy day in Albany, NY. Here, Blandino and members will meet with state and local representatives to stress the needs of the brain injury community. Blandino has entered a ‘second life’. Outside of his advocacy and work at BIANYS, he found a deep love for running. He recently completed the London marathon, and can be found running multiple times a week with the national organization Achilles. While he once thought he would plateau in his recovery, Blandino continues to excel past his pre-determined limitations. “I am happy where I am now. I am at peace where I am now..it took time, but I am okay now.” Author: Ava Duchin
Blandino (front, center) is pictured here at a NYC BIANYS chapter meeting. Blandino organizes monthly meetings with different themes for the members.
Allan
Tyson
Allan experienced a severe bicycle accident, leading to a brain injury...
Brain injuries and the complex road to recovery are still little understood by the public, even though they profoundly impact individuals’ lives. Allan Tyson, a former mental health counselor and part-time programmer, experienced this after a bike accident in 2003. His journey to recovery was filled with challenges: aphasia, cognitive issues, and difficulty in finding work. Yet he remained determined to rebuild his life. Over the years, he developed strategies to deal with deficits and pursued new interests. His story highlights the need for better societal awareness, improved job support systems, and greater compassion for those living with brain injuries.
For the majority of his career, Tyson worked as a mental health counselor. After completing graduate school, he earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation medicine and became a certified American Family Therapist. With this, he also worked part-time as a programmer. However, his trajectory took an unexpected turn on Halloween night in 2003. He recalls, “without a helmet, [on] a short ride, a gentleman with Alzheimer’s let the dog out, and that’s what caused my accident.” This was when Tyson sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After the bike accident, Tyson was fortunate to have his mother by his side. When he woke up in the hospital, his mother was speaking with the hospital psychologist: “I don’t know what we’re going to do with Tyson when he gets out.” Even basic communication was difficult: he could barely hold a conversation due to aphasia. “I learned how to get up, brush my teeth, brush my hair, and eat breakfast, because that's what I needed to do to move into inpatient [rehabilitation] from the hospital.” His accident happened on Halloween in 2003, but it wasn’t until September 2004 that he entered rehab. Since his parents were working full-time, he had to stay in the rehab by himself. “They weren’t sure I’d be okay by myself,” Tyson noted, so his mother sent him to Tampa, and he managed to live there alone for a month. After that, he flew up to begin [outpatient] rehabilitation. The accident left lasting effects: He struggled to find words and often got stuck, unable to move past them; He got distracted easily; Neuro-fatigue was another challenge: even simple tasks left him exhausted. He also experienced memory and reasoning difficulties. Understanding conversational boundaries also became difficult. As a mental health coordinator, Tyson said that “When you close the door to the office, you could joke with [certain] people if you know they are accepting the joke. [But if] someone else walks in the door, you've got to decide what to do.” He spent the first six months working on managing distractions, improving focus, and developing verification strategies—repeating what others said to ensure understanding. “I also learned to accept coaching,” he explains, “If I’m speaking to an engineer about physics, I’ll trust their judgment more than my own or that of a psychology major.” The injury has also changed his perception of time. “When I was doing time estimates, I wanted things to go faster than they were,” he explains. Employment is another challenge all on its own. He struggled finding part-time work, as most jobs demand full-time commitments. “If you go full time, you lose stability instantly.” However, there are few part-time openings. “About six months ago, I called to look for a part time job. They got my information and said, ‘Okay, we'll call you in a few weeks,’ and then they never called.” Despite this, he believes that growth should never stop. “Right now, I spend a lot of time working out. I've been learning about computer stuff for fun. I take a class in improv once a week.” He started running and participated in marathons with Achilles International. “It makes me much more verbal...I think that exercise, when you increase your heart rate a lot, your body has to repair. When it's repairing your muscles, I also think it's healthy for your brain to repair.” In his observations of daily life, Tyson became aware of society’s general lack of understanding of brain injuries. “Most people don't understand brain injury very well. I notice the deficit, but other people have no clue that they're seeing deficits a lot of times.” He also explained a common misconception towards brain injuries. He realized that many people want to be politically correct and polite, but they don't accurately view people in general. “Everyone is not the same, and people should be treated with respect but differently. I treat people differently, but I try to treat them well...It's something that's really important to me.” He believes that people with brain injuries would benefit from programs and facilities that help them understand their deficits and develop strategies to handle them. Additionally, he suggests that job placement services should be more accessible and effective. Right now, “the systems are very difficult to navigate.” Through all these experiences, Tyson continues to push himself, adapt, and find ways to grow. Whether through running, learning new skills, or simply understanding his own journey better, his focus remains on moving forward. Author: Sophia Wu
Rob
Baugh
Life Rewired: Rob Baugh’s Journey After Brain Injury
Rob Baugh, who makes a living processing medical claims, injured his brain five years ago after he experienced a spontaneous and severe allergic reaction attempting to escape from a bee. In the process, he sustained a three-inch cut on his head, which was sewn up with five staples. Since then, he began experiencing terrible headaches and short-term memory loss—problems which persist up to this day.
In search of relief, Baugh consulted multiple neurologists. The first suggested waiting two years to see if improvement were possible. Frustrated by the lack of immediate care, he sought out another neurologist. The second neurologist took a more proactive approach, using a variety of drugs and therapies, such as Botox injections and nerve blockers, which helped in treating his cognitive impairments after the accident. This also helped improve the speech stutter he was suffering with at the time. Despite the ongoing effects of his injury, Baugh is grateful to still be able to work at the same place he did prior to sustaining his brain injury. Although he faces certain challenges due to his short-term memory loss, his coworkers are able to help him navigate through them. Baugh has become a passionate advocate for brain injury survivors, drawing on his own experience to encourage and empower others. “Just Monday I gave a presentation at work,” he shared, “and I’ve received so many compliments.” In addition to public speaking—including a recent summit—he has extended his advocacy across multiple platforms. He wrote a book titled My Life Rewired, chronicling his journey toward self-acceptance and resilience after his injury. “We have received so many rave reviews,” he said, speaking to the book’s impact. He also started a Facebook support group that has grown rapidly: “As of a month ago we had 60 people on it, but now it blew up and we have 2,000 people.” Baugh continues to amplify survivor voices through his YouTube channel and podcast, Life Rewired: The Brain Injury Podcast, which offers a space for individuals to share their stories and connect with others. Through advocacy, writing, and storytelling, Baugh has transformed a life-altering injury into a meaningful mission—showing that while a brain injury may change your path, it does not have to define your potential. Check out Baugh’s podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@liferewiredpodcast Author: Sua Kim
Silvina
Cassinelli
Silvina Cassinelli, raised and living in Queens, was 24 years old when a car accident completely changed her life.
Cassinelli at the time was a masters student at Columbia University, studying speech pathology and training for the New York City marathon. She was on the path to practice speech pathology with patients, but all of this was put on pause during one of her training sessions.
“I was running in my neighborhood…when I was hit by a car.” Cassinelli explains, opening up about the cause of her brain injury. “The car driver, he just kept going and going.” She shares that the severe accident resulted in her living for a period of time at the hospital. “I was in a coma for three months.” After she woke up, she was soon transferred to Mt. Sinai’s subacute unit. “I then went to a rehabilitative facility. I lived there for about two months” Cassinelli informed us. But she stressed that her treatment didn’t end when she left the facilities. “It’s gonna be a recuperatory lifelong process.” Each process of recovery is unique and, as Cassinelli explains, “every brain injury is different.” In her own recovery process, she had a multitude of different therapies. “I would have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at Mt.Sinai.” She added that acupuncture surprisingly benefitted her diminished gait that followed the accident. Seeing an improvement in her care, Cassinelli decided to take the jump and re-enter education.“I re-applied to Columbia,” she stated, “ but it was too soon. It was a horrible experience.” The educators at Columbia, despite knowing about Cassinelli’s brain injury, offered little accomodation for her classes. “The clinical director said she didn’t think I should study speech because I wasn’t going to be a speech therapist.” Instead of accepting defeat, Cassinelli chose to apply to St.John’s, where she was already receiving treatment for speech. “It took me five years. I did my fellowship and now I am working part time as a speech pathologist.” Her perseverance allowed her to become the employee and woman she is today, where she now gets to work with people and use the speech pathology she spent so much time studying. Outside of work, Cassinelli shared the importance of support groups with us. “I am a big part of the Manhattan BIANYS chapter.” She feels BIANYS is a space where people of all different circumstances can connect over a common theme. “Some people had strokes, other people fell, there are many kinds and you have all different types of pathologies.” If there was something Cassinelli wishes people understood about brain injury, it is that “[Brain Injury] is an invisible injury. Not everyone with a brain injury has a physical impairment or an obvious one. But we do have an impairment.” She adds that on top of the neurological effects of brain injury, she lost a degree of social stimulation. “To feel like you are a part of something, that is the biggest thing I miss. I was always a very social person, but after my injury, people keep on going with their lives. My life derailed a bit.” Cassinelli remains a staunch advocate for survivor rights. She recently attended advocacy day in Albany NY, and stresses the importance of accessible healthcare for survivors. She informed us that many survivors no longer qualify for insurance covered care several years after the accident. “It may be very difficult for people to get what they need, after years of having the accident. It doesn’t matter, you still are injured.” Cassinelli continues to work as a speech pathologist, attend Synapse and BIANYS support groups, and practice the importance of advocacy for the brain injury community. Author: Madeline Doherty