Kymberlee Baker - Brain Injury Survivor
Can you share about the brain injury event itself?
On February 24, 2020, I walked into the emergency room, and less than 24 hours later, I was told that they found a large mass and needed to operate.
How did you feel during the first days, weeks, or months after the injury?
I felt alone, confused, scared, ashamed, and abandoned.
What kind of rehabilitation therapies or treatment have been most helpful through the process of recovery?
Physical therapy, speech therapy, and psychological counseling.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you or your loved one has faced during recovery?
Accepting that I am a different person and that I am living with a brain injury. Learning that everything that shines is not gold.
If there have been setbacks or repeated injuries, describe that journey:
The main setback has been learning how to live with symptoms, ADHD, and managing long-term and short-term memory loss that comes and goes as it pleases.
What role has support from family, friends, or community played in your journey?
I realized I was like the walking dead, but now I am alive because I live to serve my Heavenly Father. Although I don’t have that six-figure career and now have less that can be written down on paper, I have so much more than this world could ever give me.
Have there been any moments of breakthrough or unexpected positives along the way?
Yes, the guy of my dreams who I lived with broke up with me three months after my injury, my job released me, and all my medical benefits ended less than 30 days after I completed rehabilitation. You want to talk about feeling crushed—I was completely torn apart.
What has surprised you about this journey with brain injury?
That I am so much stronger living with a disability, and that I'm now part of a community that loves you for you and is nonjudgmental.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of this journey?
You will lose some friends and even some family members, but don’t look back. Keep going.
What does "hope" mean to you?
The scripture that comes to mind when I think of hope is:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
If you could share one encouraging message with another survivor or family, what would it be?
It will be tough, but you are tougher.
This is a hard road, but find beauty in the unknown.
God kept you here for a reason. Find that reason and exceed everyone’s expectations.
