Teresa Anderson - Brain Injury Survivor

Can you share about the brain injury event itself?

I was in a car accident in September 2001 when I was seven years old. We hit a mattress on the road, collided with the median barrier on the interstate, and rolled three times in the air before landing upside down. I was sitting in the very back of the minivan and repeatedly hit my head on a clothes-hanging rod as the vehicle rolled.

My brother was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a TBI along with severe road rash and burns. By the grace of God, he survived without any broken bones!

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

I didn't have many memories of the accident until a few years ago when I received TBI treatment—20 years after the incident. I was never admitted to the hospital or evaluated by any medical professional at the scene. Though I had a massive bump on my forehead, I was otherwise unscathed. Since my brother, grandma, and grandpa had more obvious injuries, the focus was on them.

Over time, my symptoms worsened. I experienced persistent headaches, light and noise sensitivity, fatigue, and brain fog. Due to sensory overload, I spent a lot of time isolated. Most of these symptoms intensified in adulthood after sustaining multiple concussions while playing sports. I didn’t receive targeted brain injury treatment until I was 28 years old—21 years post-injury.

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

The most effective approach for me has been viewing my wellness holistically—considering my brain health alongside my overall physical and emotional well-being.

By age 27, I had been diagnosed with PCOS, IBS, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, hormone imbalance, and chronic migraine. However, none of my doctors recognized these as potentially related to my brain injury. It wasn’t until I met a specialist in TBI that I learned how deeply a brain injury can impact the entire body.

I also discovered that I have vestibular and autonomic dysfunction. Integrating eye exercises, breathing techniques, balance work, and mobility training has been crucial in my recovery. Before treatment, I would feel cognitively exhausted just from taking a walk—not physically tired, but mentally drained. I later learned that my brain didn’t recognize where my feet were, which explained why I dragged my feet constantly as a child after the accident.

Another pivotal moment in my recovery was learning to adjust my lifestyle to a sustainable pace. I had spent years pushing through burnout, trying to keep up with what I thought I “should” be doing. Learning to listen to my body’s signals—pain, fatigue, and sensory overload—significantly improved my quality of life.

From a medical standpoint, I’ve also benefited from:

• NAD injections

• Massage therapy & chiropractic care

• Hormone regulation & supplements

• Sauna detoxing

• Dietary adjustments

• Low-impact workouts

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

One of the hardest aspects has been accepting that I suffered a TBI. For years, my family’s focus was on my brother’s recovery, so I minimized my own struggles. Since my symptoms weren’t as visibly severe as his, I convinced myself they weren’t as important.

But symptoms don’t have to be “severe” to be valid. My body was sending distress signals for years, and I could no longer ignore them. Once I accepted my injury and sought treatment, everything became clearer. Looking back, I now recognize how much cognitive and physical fatigue I was experiencing—especially in high school. I was taking way too much ibuprofen daily (which was doctor-recommended at the time) just to push through sports. I was constantly burnt out, struggling to keep up with classmates and teammates.

I now remind myself (and have loved ones remind me) that it’s okay to set limits and prioritize my well-being. Saying "no" to certain things and "yes" to others is not just acceptable—it’s necessary.

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

I’ve had two or three concussions since my car accident in 2001. My symptoms worsened significantly in my mid-20s, which became a turning point in my decision to see a specialist.

The wake-up call happened during a girls’ trip to a hot spring. I was in so much pain the entire weekend that I knew something had to change. That moment forced me to take my symptoms seriously and get the care I needed.

How has your life changed since the brain injury?

Since I was so young when the accident happened, I don’t have a clear sense of how I changed compared to before. Many TBI survivors talk about feeling different from their "pre-injury" selves, but for me, this has always been my normal.

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

I am incredibly grateful for my supportive friends and family. Even though they don’t fully understand what living with a TBI is like, they listen, show up, and care—which means everything.

Being heard and having people who truly listen is one of the biggest blessings. They can’t take the struggle away, but their presence and support make it easier to navigate.

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

My biggest breakthroughs have been recognizing progress—even in the smallest ways. Recovery can feel slow, and it’s easy to miss how far you’ve come.

I’ve started keeping a list of "little victories" on my phone so I don’t forget the progress I’ve made. Whether it’s tolerating a longer walk, handling a crowded space better, or just feeling mentally sharper, every win counts. Celebrating even the smallest milestones has changed my mindset—not just in TBI recovery, but in life in general.

What has surprised you about this journey with brain injury?

How often I have to relearn that recovery is a journey, not a checklist. This has been tough for me since I’m a very goal-driven person. But I’m learning that it’s okay not to have all the answers.

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

That it’s okay to ask for help and be honest about struggles. Seeking support is not weakness—it’s a strength. You don’t have to do this alone, and allowing others to help you is empowering.

What does "hope" mean to you?

Hope means God hears it all. God is in the midst of it all. Our heavenly father is not distant or far away from us on this journey. Hope is knowing that tomorrow may be unknown and the journey may make us fearful, but that the creator of the universe cares about every part of our journey.

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

That every TBI story and journey is different. Don't compare your story to anyone else's because it's going to look different for everyone. And that even if you consider your TBI or concussion "mild" doesn't make it less important of a journey for your healing.