December 31, 2025 “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” -Bill Vaughan A while ago, my therapist had me create a “Glimmers of Hope” album on my phone. One is a photo album and one is in the Notes … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: What a year…
Author: Jen
I am a 41 year old road cyclist and former special education teacher. On August 19, 2014, while out on a group road ride, I was hit by a woman driving a SUV and I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (T.B.I.)
This is my story...
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 11 years
August 19, 2025 Eleven years ago, a driver decided to not share the road with me. A driver decided her time was more important than my safety, my well-being, my life. Eleven years ago traumatic brain injury entered the room and never left. A TBI comes in uninvited. It does not care who you are … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 11 years
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: moving
May 25, 2025 I am writing this Confession because I have to, for me, not because I’m looking for sympathy. I never write looking for sympathy. Recently, the apartment building that I’ve lived in for a total of 19 years, was sold. My rent went up and I could not afford to stay. Thankfully, a … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: moving
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I didn’t ask for this
April 16, 2025 I’m struggling. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. Financially. I am struggling. The past few days I’ve found myself just thinking over and over again “I didn’t ask for this.” I didn’t ask to be hit. I didn’t ask to have to stop teaching. I didn’t ask to have to go on disability. I didn’t … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I didn’t ask for this
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I miss it being easier
February 10, 2025 There are so many hard parts about living with a brain injury. It would be impossible to tell you what THE hardest part is but I will tell you about one of the hardest parts. Life is no longer willy-nilly. Long gone are the days of working, then exercising, then going out … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I miss it being easier
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: traveling with a TBI & PTSD
January 4, 2025 I have only taken two trips since my head injury ten years ago. The first time my head could tolerate the flying but my return trip was nothing short of the real life version of the Steve Martin, John Candy, 1987 classic “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”. Only less entertaining and way more … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: traveling with a TBI & PTSD
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I can do hard things
December 28, 2024 This is a message I’ve had to remind myself of many, many times, especially this year. I can do hard things. Earlier this year I began a type of therapy called EMDR. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is used to help people heal from a traumatic event in … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I can do hard things
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 10 years
August 19, 2024 How has it been ten years? One part of me feels like that bike ride was just a few days ago. Another part of me feels like I’ve been living in this hell for a lot longer than a decade. 3,650 days of living with a traumatic brain injury. I don’t have … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 10 years
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: Kaleidoscope Vision
April 21, 2020 Day to day I go about life with many side effects of my traumatic brain injury: post concussion migraine, quick to become overwhelmed/stimulated, photophobia, and poor depth perception, just to name a few. Then there are symptoms that come out of nowhere, make their presence known, then leave again, only to return … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: Kaleidoscope Vision
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: well, that didn’t last long
June 28, 2024 In my former life (pre-TBI) I was a special education teacher, so after my brain injury it was the easiest thing in the world for me to apply modifications and accommodations to my life. After all, that is what I did for every one of my students. Back in December of 2023 … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: well, that didn’t last long
Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: the story of a cyclist living life with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 