Hi! Don't know a good way to celebrate other than doing something that you love. If it is hiking, than that sounds great. Wish I could go with you... I love to be in nature. Well, happy anniversary!!! :)

After reading your post again, I just wanted to say that I appreciate what you wrote. It has been since May of last year for him, and I saw how hard he had to fight just to survive. I was in awe of him and his strength. You should be very proud of yourself and your enormous strength and will to live. When my husband was in the hospital, people kept telling me that everything happens for a reason. You will do something great to change this world, I believe that is why things like this happen. It is an eye opener and a chance to change your path. I love that you say that you are a better person. I have found that I appreciate the small things in life more (even though it was not me who nearly died)...

Hopemagnet, Thank you for your kind words =)

You didn't get a brain injury, but you went through it with your husband. I am so glad that you appreciate the little things in life now, because I believe them to be the best part of it all.

Your husband is very lucky to have you by his side through this. I couldn't have improved this much without my boyfriend's encouragement, and hugs. You are a lovely person.

PS: I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.. it helped me through my injury. I like to feel like it's not my fault, but that there is a purpose. The reason could even be something as simple as finally taking the time to recognize the beauty in nature =) either way, I'm glad to be alive.

Hi, Last Sept 23 it was 30 years since I had experimental brain surgery to rid myself of seizures. It was a very positive experience, and very successful. I remember one year later ( to the day) I was in front of my church congregation telling 'Remembrances of a Journey". My friends and I went out and had pizza to celebrate the success of the year.

Since then I have had two major tbis, one on Memorial day ( when I was married and had a 10 week old daughter ) . This car accident left me on life support for 3 weeks and caused many cognitive issues.

On St. Patrick's day a few years ago I slipped on ice and got a severe concussion- what my doctor termed "the icing on the cake" as my skills got worse.

I joke now that I am careful on holidays , so I won't have another tbi. I don't "do" anything when these days occur, but do remember what happened and how I"ve changed. I look back at journals I kept while time progressed , and feel sad at the things I mentioned in them about not remembering certain things. But there are also happy things recorded , and I want to dwell on these. Things are more difficult now ( especially compared to the joyous celebration of brain surgery) , but I am used to what I can and cannot do. I celebrate life and the friends I have and how my daughters have grown up, even though I don't remember their childhoods!

So do something meaningful for You, whatever that is. I think it's normal to think back to a year ago ( or longer) and realize how you've changed. Perhaps you can write about the positive things you've noticed; do this each year and soon you will have a wonderful book of memories that you can look back on! Congratulations !

Hollygrove, wow! That is a lot to happen to one person. I am just glad you have found a way to joke about it. My Nani always says, "Laughter is the best medicine" Keep having a positive attitude, that will take you far.

I also did what you said, about writing down what I've achieved. That is an awesome idea! I even wrote down some goals for the future.

I've decided that this is the year I'm no longer going to hide my injury from people. I usually pretend to be normal, and I'm just absolutely tired of it. I finally want to be proud of myself because I (as I'm sure many of you are as well) have endured A LOT, and fought hard to be who I am. We shouldn't need to fit in. I think the most beautiful things about people are our differences, and 'flaws'.

I didn't spend the entire day mulling over the past though. I took your advice Hopemagnet, and I spent the day with my boyfriend (my favorite person on earth!) hiking through my favorite park. The view of the sunset was soooo beautiful, and being with nature just made me feel whole again. I could appreciate everything because we weren't rushing and there were no deadlines... just us. We stopped to sit on a bench, and I thanked him for everything he has done for me. We talked about how far we've come, and he told me he was proud of me. It was such a lovely moment =)

Thank you both for your advice! I really appreciate it =)

-Moni xoxo

Wow, perfect day. You couldn't ask for more romance ig you wrote your own novel. LOL I didn't celebrate mine in September but for a phone call of reminiscing how I came too. I will do this yearly. My mom still calls her sister on the anniversary of their fathers death to celebrate his memory. I will celebrate my progress/set backs. Good for you. I love your strength sand attitude. Glad were friends.

Anita,

That's so nice of you to say. You made me feel so much better today =) Thank you!

I think we should all be able to feel good about who we are, and the hurdles we have endured. I know it's not easy, and often feels impossible, but it's a goal worth aiming for. You're a survivor... don't forget that. Let it give you the strength you need.

Haha.. I love that you mentioned my 'love story' lol. I often feel like I'm in a Nicholas Sparks novel =p I think that's partly how I can have such a positive attitude.. I have terrific people by my side. I could never thank them enough.

I joined this website to get a better understanding of my injury, and to feel less alone with it, but I realllllllly want to give back. I know how much of a difference one caring person can make.

I'm certainly glad we're friends too! =) If you ever need anything, feel free to message me.

-Moni xoxo

Thank you so much

Hi Monilynn- my first year anniversary will be Jan. 15th and I too keep thinking what I will do on that day. I think I finally came up with it!! On 1/15/2013 I blew my nose and a blood vessel in my brain busted. I went into ICU for 2 weeks and have no memory. Because they had to drill a hole into my skull to get the blood off to release the pressure from my brain they had to shave 1/4 of my scalp. When I got home I had my husband clean up the hair cut and make it the front 1/2 of my hair shaved all off. (I hope that makes sense or so you can imagine it). Well because my hair grows so slow I have not gotten my hair cut yet- so I thought it might be a neat idea to get my hair cut on 1/15/2014.

My brother in law had his TBI on 11/14 11 years ago and him and my sister just spend it quietly each year together.

Sometimes just being in nature or with yourself or something like that- where you feel peaceful.

Let us know what you decide. Take care

Candybelle, I can't believe so much trouble could come from blowing your nose! I feel so bad =( That certainly couldn't have been what you expected to happen in your life. The good thing is that you seem to have a great attitude about it. That's the most important thing!

I can't imagine loosing so much of my hair in that way, but I love that you just made it your own.... I think getting a haircut on your 1yr re-birth day is a FANTASTIC idea! Do something that makes you feel good about yourself and your achievements. We've all been through so much, why should we need to mourn about it every year? Celebrate it! =)

I actually decided to go out with my boyfriend to my favorite park on my 5th re-birth day. It's a HUGE park, with hiking trails for ppl, bikes, and even some for horse riding. We spent the day together, and I finally started making the effort toward talking about my injury. I'm starting to slowwwwwly feel a little bit okay about it =) I think that's a huge plus.

Well, I hope you find a way to enjoy who you are and all that you've endured on Jan 15th. I'll be thinking about you!

-Moni

I also celebrated my 5 year anniversary this past year. it is a day to be celebrated. it took me every bit of that 5 years to recover. i would say this past year i have finally felt like my "old self" again. some changes but nothing that i cant live with. its a blessing to make it through a tbi and you should celebrate!! congratulations!!

Moni and Christine! You both are girls after my own heart! Positive energy brings so much positive action! My Jenilee is 4 years post accident on April 18! She is my inspiration! She never ever complains about her accident. She is happy most of the time with the exception of the "control" outbursts of behaviour. But all in all we look at life as you do, a new fresh beginning! My new Jenilee is so happy all the time! She jokes and she is funny. When before her accident she seemed to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. I do believe everything happens for a reason! I think if God takes us to it He will help us through it! You two beautiful ladies are living proof of that!
We don't talk negatively to Jenilee so she tends not to talk negatively either. Life is only as good as we make it. We were given this in life for a reason if not to touch others lives like you both have touched mine! You have genuinely made me excited to see what next year is going to look like for Jenilee (she is 26)
She got invited to her first wedding which will be the first big social event we are going to that is for her! We are all excited!
I'm not sure how we will celebrate Jenilee's anniversary but I sure like the idea of am,ing it fun and using the idea of a rebirth day! I love it!
Glad you positive girls are my friends! You both bring me so much joy and hope for even our future!
Much Love a Mom Sandy xoxo

Christina, I'm so glad you are able to be so positive! I can completely relate to you. Whenever I tell people I meet about my accident they look so sad and console me but I'm always trying to explain that I really see it as a blessing. As crazy as it sounds, I'm glad it happened. (Doesn't mean it's awesome... I just needed to put my life back on track). I love that I'm not the only one =) Thank you so much.. and congratulations on your anniversary too! Keep being awesome

Sandy,
I'm so glad your daughter has been able to find the humor in life... tbi's can be hilarious sometimes if you're in the right state of mind =p I cannot tell you how enormously important my family and boyfriend have been in my recovery. I thank you so much for being supportive and caring enough to join a group like this for your daughter. It shows your love for her.. and I'm really happy that she has you =)

Stay strong.. because with the right motivation, goals, and positive attitude, your daughter can do anything. I'm proof of that mentality ;) Perfection doesn't exist.. but happiness sure does. Good luck with everything and feel free to message me if you or your daughter want to talk about anything. I'd love to help!

Thankyou for saying "if God takes us to it, he will help us through it" I love that! =)