Following a brain injury, the individual may find themselves identified by the “event”. The “event” that is given a diagnosis. The diagnosis of a brain injury. Once a diagnosis has been given to the “event”, the individual may find themselves identified with a “label” that is connected to the “event”.
Once a diagnosis has been given to the “event” the individual may unconsciously begin defining themselves. Defining themselves with the “event” of their brain injury. The “event” that then is reinforced by a “label”.
The individual may then find themselves discriminated by a societal stereotype and stigmatization because of the event. Such discrimination manifests through patronization, minimization, marginalization, dismissing and discounting. Such discrimination can lead to the individual doubting themselves.
But the good news is that we no longer have to allow the “event” to define who we are in this life We can stand free of any label, diagnosis, stereotype, and stigmatization. We no longer have to be intimidated by behaviors or by individuals. We no longer have to feel like victims because of an “event”.
We no longer have to doubt ourselves. We can have an active role in defining who we are in this life. We can choose how we show up in our life.
I have friends who remind me that I am empowered to define who I am as an individual apart from the “event” of my brain injury. Friends who remind me that I have choices. Friends who remind me that I no longer have to limit myself because of an “event”. Friends that remind me that I can stand free of a label, a stereotype, and a stigmatization and create a good life for myself.
As I have friends who remind me, let me remind you. You are empowered to define who you are apart from the “event” of your brain injury. Let me remind you that you have choices. Let me remind you that you no longer have to limit yourself because of an “event”. Let me remind you that you can stand free of a label, a stereotype, and a stigmatization to create a good life for yourself.
Several questions that have helped me live to define who I am apart from the “event” of my brain injury:
Are you defining yourself as an individual by the “event” of your brain injury?
Do you have people in your life who are leading you to believe that you are the “event” of your brain injury?
Do you have individuals, who by their behavior patronize, minimize, marginalize, dismiss and discount who you are as an individual?
Do you feel limited because of those individuals or their behavior (s)?
What could you do differently that would help you to realize that you are much more than the “event” of your brain injury?
Who is defining what you can do with your life?
How could you look at your circumstances in a different way?
If you were not limited by limitations, what would you be doing with your life?
With your limitations, how could you create what you would like to be doing; without limitations?
What steps can you take today to empower who you are as an individual, not as an individual living with a brain injury?
If I can help you to sort through the answers to these questions, please let me know.
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