Professional Experience

Cristabelle Braden’s professional journey spans music, education, advocacy, and ministry. Although she had never written a song before her TBI, music and songwriting became a significant part of her recovery. She is now an award-winning singer/songwriter who has made significant strides in music. Her discography includes several albums, with her latest release, "Restoration," showcasing her growth as an artist and her message of hope. Her music, often described as inspirational contemporary Christian with pop influences, reflects her personal journey and faith. Cristabelle has toured and performed at numerous venues across the United States, sharing her story and music with diverse audiences. She is also a sought-after speaker, giving Keynote Addresses at numerous brain injury conferences, notably including the Mayo Clinic’s Brain Injury Conference in 2017 and statewide conferences including Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, North Dakota, South Carolina, and more. She is also an active volunteer and Board Member of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA).

While continually navigating the challenges posed by her brain injury, Cristabelle has pursued higher education with determination, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Religion from Lebanon Valley College. Notably, she was awarded the Creative Achievement Alumni Award by LVC in 2023. She went on to continue her education with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University, deepening her understanding of how to study and teach the Word, which she directly applies to leading Bible studies for brain injury survivors. Her academic pursuits have deepened her understanding of faith and music, which she integrates into her work and ministry.

Relationship to Brain Injury

Cristabelle's life took a dramatic turn at the age of 14 when she suffered her first traumatic brain injury. This incident dramatically altered her life, causing significant cognitive impairment and necessitating extensive rehabilitation; but it would also become the defining moment that shaped her future path and mission. The road to recovery has been long and challenging, involving extensive rehabilitation and relearning of basic skills. Due to many symptoms, including undiagnosed vestibular and vision issues, she frequently fell and sustained more concussions of varying degrees of severity. Her many re-injuries led to continual setbacks and chronic health issues. 

As she has learned about the root causes of her symptoms and started to improve as a result, she has poured herself into helping other survivors find out about new research and treatment methods in her support groups and podcast. Her healing journey continues to this day, as she navigates the ongoing effects of her injury while pursuing her goals. Cristabelle's personal experience with brain injury has given her unique insights into the challenges faced by survivors. She understands firsthand the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of recovery. This deep, personal understanding informs all aspects of her work, from her music lyrics to her advocacy efforts. Rather than letting her injury define her limitations, Cristabelle has used her experience as a platform to help others. She has become a recognized voice for the brain injury community, offering hope and practical support to survivors and their families.

Passion for the Mission of Hope Survives

Cristabelle's personal journey with brain injury led her to start Hope After Head Injury in 2012. She spent over 10 years providing support to brain injury survivors through online support groups, live videos, podcasts, music, advocacy, and more. In 2015, she wrote and released a song called “Hope Survives", which quickly became an anthem for brain injury survivors across the globe. Her online groups and podcast grew into a global movement, as she dedicated her time and energy to helping others even as she continued to struggle with setbacks in her own brain injury journey. Eventually, with much prayer and advice, she set out to found this organization.

"Brain injury recovery extends far beyond physical healing: there are mental, emotional, and spiritual needs that are often overlooked, not just for survivors, but for their loved ones as well. At Hope Survives, we're dedicated to bridging this gap, providing families with essential resources, a supportive community, and the encouragement they need to move forward with hope. Navigating the profound life changes brought on by a brain injury can be incredibly challenging.  We are here to ensure that no aspect of recovery is neglected, empowering both survivors and their families to embrace the full picture of a healing journey."

As the founder of Hope Survives, the mission and vision are deeply rooted in Cristabelle's understanding of the isolation and misunderstanding that often accompany brain injury. She strives to create a world where survivors and their families feel fully supported and valued, and and no one ever feels alone. Cristabelle’s passion and heart is the driving force behind every aspect of the organization’s work. Her story continues to unfold as she pursues her passion for helping others, guided by her unwavering faith and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.