Hazel’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Injury Journey

Hazel sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2011. She continued working at Disney until 2019 and was also a part-time Realtor in California through 2019. Since 2026, she has served as a family caregiver for a loved one with TBI, homemaker, volunteer, and member of the TBI Survivor Advisory Committee with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Through her personal experiences, Hazel has observed that individuals who have sustained a TBI often face significant challenges, including stigma, misdiagnosis, inadequate medical treatment, and limited access to helpful resources. These barriers can contribute to serious health conditions, such as stroke and cardiovascular disease, delay or denial of disability benefits, and ultimately lead to financial hardship or even homelessness for individuals with TBI and their families. Hazel has learned the importance of listening to her body, understanding her functional limitations, and being transparent with her healthcare providers and family members. She continues to pray for strength, remain steadfast in her faith, and provide hope and love to her family, loved ones, and others who have sustained a TBI.

What does Hazel think of the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources so that others should use them? 

Hazel is highly impressed with the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources. She finds the materials easy to understand, informative, and simple to navigate. Through these resources, she has learned a great deal and discovered valuable information that she can share with others. She encourages others to use MSKTC resources because they provide clear, accessible, and helpful information for individuals who have sustained a TBI and their support networks.

Why does Hazel want to be an MSKTC ambassador?

Hazel signed up as a TBI Ambassador with MSKTC to help share its valuable resources with her sphere of influence, including her California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) counselor, family members, healthcare providers, friends, and relatives. She also hopes to amplify the voices of individuals who have sustained a TBI within her community and raise awareness of the resources available through MSKTC. Through her involvement with TBI support groups such as the St. Jude TBI Support Network and Jodi House, Hazel is committed to connecting other TBI survivors and their families with information, support, and resources that can help improve their quality of life.

What has Hazel has done as a MSKTC ambassador?

As of July 2026, Hazel is proud to share that she has accomplished many meaningful goals as a TBI Ambassador. She has helped promote and distribute MSKTC resources to her sphere of influence through brochures, her email signature, the California Department of Rehabilitation, family members, healthcare providers, friends, relatives, and her local public library. Hazel has also helped amplify the voices of individuals who have sustained a TBI within her community. Through her weekly participation in support groups such as the St. Jude TBI Support Network and Jodi House, she has shared MSKTC resources with fellow TBI survivors and their families. One particularly rewarding outcome was learning from a care coordinator at the St. Jude TBI Support Network that another TBI survivor felt inspired and encouraged to sign up as a TBI Ambassador after hearing about the program. This reaffirmed Hazel's commitment to raising awareness and connecting others with the valuable resources available through MSKTC.