TBI Stories

After a life-altering accident in October 2022, Devon Guffey’s story is about resilience and determination. His journey has been profiled in the summer 2023 issue of the Making Headway Newsletter: https://www.danlewisfoundation.org/devons-story . Hit by a drunk driver, Devon sustained severe brain and physical injuries, including axonal shearing, a traumatic frontal lobe injury, and facial fractures. Even after contracting meningitis while in a coma, Devon fought hard to survive – and today, his recovery continues to inspire us all. In late 2023, Devon worked as an assistant basketball coach at Blue River Valley, where he had once been a student. His love for sports and dedication to regaining his physical strength returned him to the gym, where his hard work paid off. Devon’s persistence earned him another job at the YMCA, guiding gym members and supporting facility upkeep. Through all the challenges—deafness in one ear, blindness in one eye, and a permanent loss of taste and smell—Devon perseveres. He recently regained his driving license, a significant milestone that symbolizes his increasing independence and cognitive and physical recovery. While each day may not show significant changes, Devon now sees his progress over time. Today, Devon speaks to groups about his journey, the dangers of drunk driving, and finding strength in adversity. His message is clear: recovery is a process, and sometimes, "can't" simply means "can't do it yet ." Every TBI is unique, and Devon’s story powerfully reminds us of the strength that comes from resilience and community. We are grateful to Devon for continuing to share his story and for his role in uplifting others facing difficult paths. His journey is a testament to the fact that we are stronger together. #BrainInjuryAwareness #DevonsJourney #Resilience #EndDrunkDriving #MakingHeadway

Every Traumatic Brain Injury story is different, and the outcome for individuals is often unpredictable  This is Sophia Augier's story

Sheryl Suzanne Nibbs, a legal secretary in a top law firm, started the process of becoming a paralegal as she approached her 40th birthday. She was fancy in her appearance, always making sure her hair, nails, and clothing were in order, a well-kept person, an avid traveler, and her mother’s best friend.

Chase’s life turned unexpectedly when he was just six years old. As a loving grandmother, I witnessed the remarkable strength and resilience of my grandson as he faced a traumatic brain injury caused by F.I.R.E.S.

I was nineteen years old and out with four friends for what we all thought would be a fun evening of partying with friends. Our group was about 20 seconds from arriving at the party when a teenage drunk driver hit us head-on in Indiana.

Though brain injuries usually lead to a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional issues, every person who incurs a brain injury experiences a unique set of symptoms as well as both short-term and longer-term outcomes. This is true whether the brain injury is classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Therefore, it is important to take every brain injury seriously and to get medical attention as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to improve outcomes. Bella Kellis, at age 14, experienced a traumatic brain injury. In her own words, Bella, now 16, shares her story.