Kaitlin Nini
Concussions/Brain Injuries: 2
Cause: Car Accident, Other
Kaitlin’s Story
I have had two concussions in my life, one at 4 years old and the second in February 2023 at 32 years old. My last concussion changed my life in a blink of an eye. We were driving back to our cabin in the Smokey Mountains when a tree fell on our car with it landing on the car just above my head. The accident totaled our car and I sustained whiplash and a concussion. Miraculously, my husband and daughter did not have a scratch on them. The three of us were very lucky that day and we are so thankful!
Since the accident, I have experienced a variety of symptoms from headaches, dizziness, vision problems, sensitivity to light and sound, to insomnia, Irritability, short term memory issues, speech problems, focus issues, and more.
This experience has been one of the most challenging of my life because it was not an injury that healed in 4 or 6 weeks. All of a sudden I couldn't work or drive and I still struggle with both 6 months later. Part of my recovery is learning who I am in now, learning that it's okay to rest, learning to listen to my body, and learning to let go. This has been and continues to be incredibly difficult.
However, I have learned incredible lessons from this experience, including what is truly important and my own value and self worth. It's difficult for me to explain all of this at times to family and friends, especially when my symptoms come out of nowhere, but I am blessed to have an incredible support system. My recovery would not be where it without them.
One of the biggest parts of my recovery was reaching out for help to professionals. I have an incredible team that is helping me throughout all that, including a concussion specialist, a physical therapist, a mental health therapist, and a speech therapist. There are so many components to a concussion that I had no idea about and still learn about each week.
I was originally told to "don't use your brain for two weeks and rest" and I would be all better in two months. I had no idea how to do that and it didn't work, I was not better, and I get down about that at times if I am being honest. However, I am so glad and thankful I had professionals outside of my doctor to help me get connected to the concussion specialist.
One piece of advice is don't settle for what one doctor says, do the research and ask questions. But the best advice that everyone has told me both professionals, family and friends is "don't give up."
Message from Kaitlin:
I think the biggest lesson I learned and am still learning from my concussion is who I am, how to take care of my self, and learning my worth. I have a 2nd chance at life and I am grateful everyday for that, even at the worst moments. When my symptoms have me darkest of places, I have learned/am learning tools and strategies to get through including asking for help and trusting others to help hold my hope when I can't.
Overall, this concussion is the most annoying, scary, and frustrating experience I have had, but it has also been eye opening, healing, has given me new meaning to many things in my life. @kaitlinmariecards
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Concussion Connect has provided me a space to learn more about what is going on inside my brain and body, find the words to express how I am feeling, not feel so alone, and learn about and use different resources! It provides a sense of being understood that has been missing since my accident, even brings a sense of understanding myself. - CC Member
