Today marks nine years since my TBI. Some say it’s kind of my birthday but I’m not sure that’s what it is; it caused a new beginning, that’s for sure, but I don’t feel like it’s appropriate to say it’s birthday. Birth is a happy moment and there was nothing happy about this day nine years ago.
Now it is a day to celebrate because being here nine years later shows a lot of strength, bravery and resilience, none of which are characteristics I knew I had back then. I knew that my family had them and I have never doubted that they do during these years. My strength comes from knowing they are all by my side cheering me on and there to lift me back up when I fall; which they literally did. That’s not a joke, I have a video of my stepfather running to catch me when I stumbled when I was learning to walk again. That is just one of the times many times he and all of them did that.
If I don’t say it or say it enough during the year, I’ll always say it on May second, thank you. Thank you to all of those who helped me and still help me walk, talk, eat, run, swim, work, be seizure free, work, and everything else. My family, friends, therapists, doctors, bosses. You know who you are, whether you helped me by teaching me or re teaching me something, just listening to me, giving me advice, making me laugh, spending time with me, having patience, encouraging me, giving me a chance… and the list goes on but the point is, thank you! I wouldn’t have everything I have or be in the place I am today without a lot of you. You know who you are.
Next year will be a whole decade! I hope I can see at least some of you by that time.
Unstoppable María 