Creating Hope following Brain Injury

Following a brain injury the individuals world may be turned upside down. As a result the individual may have a hard time grasping hope. Creating hope can be a foreign concept. The individual may place their hope in "quick fixes and silver bullets". When quick fixes and silver bullets are found to not exist, discouragement and disappointment take the place of hope. In my experience I lived with discouragement and disappointment for many years. As an individual living with a brain injury hope seemed to be an illusive creature.

Through my recovery process I discovered that my definition and expectations clouded my ability to recognize hope. My concept of hope held me hostage when things did not change. Hostage to the belief that hope was for naught. But I am glad that I discovered that hope is not limited by my definition or expectations.

Through my experience I discovered some thing that helped me tremendously. Hope is not some thing that tethers me to some thing that may happen in the future. Hope, instead is something to experience in the present. What I discovered helped me to realize that hope, like faith; becomes evident by taking action. By taking action, I discovered; I can experience hope in the now. I don't have to wait for hope. Instead, I can create and have an active part in the process of hope. Articles in this category are written and shared to encourage, motivate, empower and engage, you and I; in the process of creating hope.