Hannah’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Journey

Hannah is a traumatic brain injury survivor whose life was transformed in 2020 after sustaining a severe TBI in the Holy Cross rowing van accident in Florida. The journey that followed demanded resilience, patience, and the courage to rebuild her identity while navigating cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges. She learned to face memory hurdles, fatigue, and the invisible weight of symptoms with determination and to recognize the power of compassionate, informed support.

Through recovery, she discovered that living well with TBI means redefining success, practicing self compassion, and celebrating small, meaningful steps forward. She found strength in community, connection, and advocacy for herself and for others within medical, social, and professional spaces.

Her commitment to the TBI community is deep and unwavering. Each month, she volunteers at a support group for survivors and patients, offering understanding rooted in lived experience. As a rehabilitation aide at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, she walks alongside patients on their own recovery journeys.

Her mission is clear: to empower others with TBI, reduce stigma, and help every survivor feel seen, capable, and supported.

What does Hannah think of the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources?

Hannah sees MSKTC resources as a powerful source of clarity and support for people affected by traumatic brain injury. She values how each resource is grounded in evidence, written with care, and shaped by the real-world challenges that individuals and families face throughout recovery. With topics that cover cognition, emotional health, daily activities, and family dynamics, she believes these materials meet people exactly where they are.

Hannah especially appreciates that MSKTC offers information in many formats, including fact sheets, videos, and printable guides. This variety helps people learn in the way that feels most natural and reduces cognitive strain for those already navigating fatigue or overload. To her, the user-friendly design makes the materials not only informative but accessible and empowering.

She regularly uses these resources to support patients, families, and peers by reinforcing what is taught in clinical settings and validating lived experiences. She has seen the impact firsthand in the form of stronger understanding, increased confidence in self-advocacy, reduced frustration, and greater engagement in both recovery and community life.

For Hannah, MSKTC serves as a meaningful bridge between knowledge and hope.

Why does Hannah want to be an MSKTC ambassador?

Hannah is driven by a deep belief in the power of accessible, evidence-based information to change lives after traumatic brain injury. As a TBI survivor, she understands how overwhelming recovery can feel and how essential it is to have reliable guidance that is both practical and easy to understand. MSKTC resources helped her bridge the gap between clinical care and everyday challenges, and she is passionate about ensuring more survivors and families know that this support exists.

Her commitment is strengthened by her work as a rehabilitation aide at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and her role as a peer supporter for other survivors and current patients. These experiences allow her to witness the impact of education, validation, and community connection. She has seen how the right tools can improve confidence, increase engagement, and support long-term progress.

Hannah is motivated to reduce stigma, uplift survivor voices, and connect individuals and families with resources that encourage independence, resilience, and a higher quality of life. Becoming an MSKTC ambassador would allow her to expand her impact and give back to the TBI community in a meaningful and inspiring way.

What has Hannah done as an MSKTC ambassador?

Hannah uses MSKTC resources as a powerful tool to support individuals living with traumatic brain injury. She shares these materials in clinical settings, support groups, and informal peer conversations, helping survivors and families understand symptoms, set realistic recovery expectations, and apply practical strategies to daily life. She values how accessible, evidence-based, and easy to use the fact sheets and videos are, and she plans to continue promoting them to strengthen awareness and encourage self-advocacy.

Through her work, Hannah has witnessed meaningful outcomes. Survivors and families often show increased understanding, reduced anxiety, and greater confidence as they learn from the clear language and practical guidance offered in the materials. She sees how the resources validate challenges, normalize experiences, and empower people to participate actively in their recovery.

The feedback she receives is consistently positive. Many individuals note that the materials are simple to navigate, thoughtfully designed for those with cognitive difficulties, and highly useful in bridging the gap between clinical care and life in the community. For Hannah, MSKTC resources are more than educational tools. They are a source of reassurance, empowerment, and hope.