This blog is an odd mix of ‘me,’ not me,’ and ‘not yet the me I am becoming.’
Growth takes time, but awareness is much slower. Gradually, I have come to the realization that we all hold possibility within ourselves no matter how drastically our lives have been changed by injury. The qualities that gave us strength pre-injury are still part of who we are and drive our potential to learn and build a new future.
Prior to my injury I had a career in book publishing. It was a world I loved–one of authors, editors and stories. I served as the Creative Director, a publisher, and a designer. I surrounded myself with books and was, as I’d always been, an avid reader. Two TBIs robbed me of the books I used to devour and sent me on a journey from experience and confidence to a loss of self. In time, my world grew with new friends, new struggles, and the determination to find a new purpose.
So much was gone, but something else came in its place–a gift of words. With time, purpose turned into hope and eventually a good life. This blog is now part of who I am and hope to be–my way to share with others the comfort of knowing we are all in it together. Each time I find the courage to press ‘publish’ for a post or, when I find a new comment on the blog, I think, ‘Maybe I really am a writer.’
Thank you, readers, for helping me find my voice. It is a very precious thing to have gained.
Laurie Rippon, MA Ed
Brain Injury Advocacy, Outreach, and Support
‘I don’t consider myself a victim, consumer, or even survivor. I am an active learner, thinker and do-er who just happens to have a brain injury’
My other work
- Co-Chair BIGroups, a peer-led organization driven by the needs of the brain injury community in the face of COVID-19
- Peer Counselor, NYU Rusk Brain Injury Day Treatment Program
- Advisory Board Member, NYU Rusk Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training Program for Postdoctoral Fellows
- Associate, Achilles International Brain Injury Project
- Author, A Brain Injury Life (ABrainInjuryLife.com)
- Former Board member Brain Injury Assoc. of NY State, and Chair, NYC Chapter
Hi there Laurie-
it has been many many moons since I reached out to say hello. I sincerely hope you remember me. You were one of my very first bosses I ever had at the start of my working life -at Viking Penguin books. I think about my journey and blessings often, and the people who influenced me along the way. Although we only worked together for 2 years, it was an informative time for me. You were so very kind and supportive. I wanted to reach out and say thank you.
my email is below if you want to chat and do a catch up sometime.
best- Leslie Sim
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Amazing!
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Thanks, Kyle. So glad to have you aboard…
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You ARE a writer, Laurie. Keep shining that light of hope to others
Best wishes from the First City to see the light
craig
“‘I don’t consider myself a victim, consumer, or even survivor. I am an active learner, thinker and do-er who just happens to have a brain injury” love that inspiration, so keep writing and sharing
(as I’m safest” just doing that, I’m told by many)
PPS
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”
https://craigsquotes.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/i-will-love-the-light-for-it-shows-me-the-way-yet-i-will-endure-the-darkness-because-it-shows-me-the-stars-5/
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thanks so much, Craig. Every person I reach makes it more meaningful.
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From on blogger to another. From one brain injury survivor to another. I am thrilled to see that you are…have….continue to…find your voice.
The voice of experience greatly impacts those who feel rudderless in their sea of trauma, recovery, and rehabilitation. It is nice to recognize and understand that not only are we NOT drifting alone – we continue to evolve into something that exposes our deep seated emotions, potential, and indeed, if we allow it – gives us purpose.
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Thank you so, so much.
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YOu know that I love the last line – ‘I don’t consider myself a victim, consumer, or even surivor. I am an active learner, thinker and do-er who just happens to have a brain injury’ – I am going to quote you on that one.
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feel free.
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