Charlotte Endorf - Brain Injury Survivor

Can you share about the brain injury event itself?

On May 17, 2018, I was a passenger in a car accident and suffered a fractured skull.

How did you feel during the first days, weeks, or months after the injury?

Horrible—completely in a daze.

What kind of rehabilitation therapies or treatment have been most helpful through the process of recovery?

A neuro chiropractor, physical therapy at a concussion clinic, neuro glasses from a specialist, vitamins, red light therapy, walking, and far infrared sauna have all helped in my recovery.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you or your loved one has faced during recovery?

Relearning how to walk, talk, read, write, and manage anger.

If there have been setbacks or repeated injuries, describe that journey:

It took over 20 doctors to find one who truly understood brain injury. I’ve also had two falls—one resulted in a badly strained ankle, and the other left me with a broken humerus.

How has your life changed since the brain injury?

Everything is much slower now. I fatigue easily, and my light and sound sensitivity still linger nearly seven years later.

What role has support from family, friends, or community played in your journey?

My husband, kids, and grandchildren took a while to understand, but they have come to support me somewhat. My husband and I even attended a marriage retreat to help save our nearly 40-year marriage.

However, my father and siblings alienated me. My father even wrote me out of his will two months before he passed away in October 2018 because of it.

Have there been any moments of breakthrough or unexpected positives along the way?

At six years out, I realized I can clean again if I pace myself. I’ve also started public speaking with the help of my husband and use public transportation to get around.

I now lead the Northeast Nebraska Brain Injury Awareness, Healing, and Support group, where I’ve made many new friends. I’ve even gone back to writing books for adults. While I still struggle with retaining audio storylines, I’ve learned to read large print books or listen to audiobooks as a workaround.

What has surprised you about this journey with brain injury?

Who my true friends were...

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of this journey?

That a neuro chiropractor can do more than a neurologist and that vitamins can be more effective than antidepressants—without the side effects.

What does "hope" mean to you?

Hope is a reason to live—a purpose for doing good for others, which in turn comes back to you many times over.

If you could share one encouraging message with another survivor or family, what would it be?

Don't give up. It may take years, not days, to get better, but just keep falling forward. Try to avoid stress, and if you feel overwhelmed, remove yourself from the situation.