JOE
In August of 2001, Joe crashed while riding his bicycle and incurred a mild traumatic brain injury. He was wearing a helmet which lessened the damage. At age 40, he enrolled at UNH to pursue a degree in Recreational Management. He loves the campus environment but is investing significant energy and effort learning to successfully complete his courses. Although he physically looks the same, there are dramatic differences in the way his brain works now and how he approaches his academic and personal life. Still an avid biker, Joe hopes to lead bike trips in America and Europe after he graduates.
Read All of Joe's Story
or click below for individual sections
The Challenges of a Head Injury
Returning to School with a Head Injury
Choosing a Career Path
Strategies
The Benefits of Asking for Help
Being Emotionally Alive
Future Goals
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THE CHALLENGES
OF HAVING A HEAD INJURY
One of the challenges with a brain injury is that nothing is obvious right away. It took me a long time, and it is still happening, to see what is missing, what is different. It can be very frustrating and saddening. I have not gotten to the point yet where I have fully thought about it. My concept of disability will continue to grow and be enhanced as I better understand myself.
Our brains are like libraries. Everything is organized and easy to find because it is all referenced. Except my library (in my head), someone tipped over. The book is in there, but you don’t know where it is because everything is all scattered. Sometimes I can’t find the one I am looking for or it takes me hours to find it. There is a great amount of frustration for me when that happens. In class sometimes, one thing is happening and I am talking about another thing that is happening. It is totally different. People are like, where are you? It makes it more challenging for me. I just need to honor and respect my brain when it is out of sync and not close down. I don’t want to not say something because I am not sure if what I am going to say is on the right path. I just need to express to the best of my ability.