How do you define yourself when everything about your life has changed?

Cali Lonardelli is a survivor of multiple brain injuries, and this week she shares her story of perseverance and hope. As a teenager, she went from an accomplished athlete in gymnastics and pole vaulting to struggling to be able to walk. Her journey has taken her through many years of symptoms and learning to live with a new reality, as well as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) eating disorder.

Cali is a true overcomer and is now a Physical Therapy student and an intern for the non-profit PINK Concussions. Take a listen as she joins Cristabelle for an inspiring conversation shining a light on what it is like to live with brain injury.

When a brain injury changes your cognitive abilities, your self-worth can be affected. For survivors attending school or in any type of learning environment, it can be hard to keep up because of symptoms and fatigue. Cristabelle knows this firsthand, as she had her first TBI during high school and attended college post-injury.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, we are talking about difficulties with learning after a brain injury, what sort of accommodations are helpful, and how to advocate for yourself. Educator Carly Endres, MS, CBIS, also joins to share insight from her special education background.

This episode will provide insight for survivors, parents, families, and anyone in a learning environment. We also talk about some studying tips that are applicable to survivors- whether you are currently in school or not!

Did you know? It is common to develop exercise intolerance while recovering from a brain injury.

This week on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Dr. Mark Heisig is here to explain why this happens, and give advice for survivors on how to increase movement.

Some topics covered: the relationship between symptoms and exercise, autonomic system dysfunction, different types of exercise affect on the brain, suggestions for where to start with increasing movement, and more.

What does it mean to be a brain injury warrior?

To kick off the new year, here are some words of hope from 6 incredible survivors.

There is a trend to post highlights of the year on social media. But do you find that actually hard to do, or even see from others?

Living with brain injury, it is easy to feel discouraged from setbacks, or a recovery timeline you had in mind, or comparing to the "old you" and grieving the life before, as well as coping with symptoms on a daily basis. This week on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle discusses all of this, while also sharing some of her personal journey through TBI. 

Life is not a highlight reel. And that is okay. Let's talk about it!

Lisa is a fighter, living with both an invisible injury (TBI) and physical disability. She was born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), contracted spinal meningitis as an infant, and has been an advocate for disabilities her entire life. Then, in 2011 she sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident playing wheelchair basketball. 

This is an episode that is sure to inspire and encourage all who listen, as Lisa Pubantz eloquently shares her story of victory. She joins Cristabelle to discuss the tension between the invisible injury and the physical disability, how society treats people with disabilities, and how the TBI symptoms are often misunderstood.

Did you know that hormones can be affected by a brain injury? Hormonal imbalances can actually be a contributing factor to persistent symptoms, along with affecting sleep, stress response, and reproductive systems.

Today on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Dr. Meaghan Kirschling is here to talk about some of these potential hormonal changes, and how it could potentially affect a brain injury survivor. We also discuss variables in age, differences between male and female, and sex drive.

Emotional responses after brain injury can come in extremes - highs, lows, outbursts - or just feeling "blank" or nothing at all. Survivors also could have a hard time expressing their emotions and verbalizing it. Emotions also affect our identity, how we view ourselves, and directly impact our relationships.

Today, Cristabelle leads us through all of this, sharing some personal examples along with encouragement for listeners.