Ambiguous Grief and Disorders of Consciousness

Gail Strom, mother of Hannah, shares a deeply personal reflection on the grief that can follow survival after a disorder of consciousness. In this video, she describes the complicated emotions of mourning the child her daughter was before injury—while learning to embrace who Hannah has become. Gail speaks honestly about survivor’s guilt, hidden grief, and the feeling that she didn’t “have the right” to mourn because her child lived. Her story sheds light on a form of grief that is rarely discussed but deeply real for many families navigating brain injury recovery. This video offers validation, compassion, and hope for parents and caregivers grieving change while celebrating progress.

The content of this video is based on research and/or professional consensus. This content has been reviewed and approved by experts from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) centers, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, as well as experts from the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs), with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The content of the video has also been reviewed by individuals with TBI and/or their family members. 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should consult your health care provider about specific medical concerns or treatment. The contents of this video were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this video do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

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