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: hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s back to speech I go

May 9, 2024 In the early days of my TBI I was referred to speech because of a stutter I’d developed and issues with word-recall. Unfortunately the SLP (speech and language pathologist) was not a good fit for me and I was drowning in these new brain injury waters I found myself in and I … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s back to speech I go →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: EMDR

April 11, 2024 After many attempts I successfully completed two years of talk therapy before my therapist took a well deserved leave of absence. I myself took a two month break as I waited for a new therapist to begin. Six weeks ago, I met my new therapist, a woman who specializes in EMDR (Eye … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: EMDR →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 9 years

August 19, 2023 Today marks nine years since my life drastically changed. 9 years. 3,287 days. This was the first year that I almost didn’t write a Confession on this “anniversary”, but somehow, not writing felt wrong, just as wrong as calling this an “anniversary”. I told a fellow TBI survivor recently, I don’t like … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 9 years →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: conversations

December 7, 2022 I see the looks you make when my words fail me. I see the expression on your face when I talk. I notice the glances you share with others when I open my mouth. I’m not blind to it. I always see it and it just adds one more nail into the … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: conversations →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 8 years

August 19, 2022 8 years. Two thousand nine hundred twenty days. At times it feels like just yesterday. Other times it feels like I’ve been living in this form of hell for decades. I feel so many emotions leading up to this day, ranging from anger and frustration to complete sadness. Come August 20th, it … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: 8 years →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: lordy, lordy, I made it to forty

July 3, 2022 I turn 40 years old today. When I was 29, about to turn 30, I was devastated. I was not where I was “supposed” to be; I hadn’t done all I was “supposed” to do before turning 30. A decade later and my life is even further away from where it’s “supposed” … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: lordy, lordy, I made it to forty →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: you win today PTSD

June 16, 2022 In one breath I say, “I just want to love road riding again.” In the next breath I admit a fear that I’ve shared with no one and that I carry with me each ride: “Is today the day that I’m killed while riding?” I’ve been in therapy working weekly for the … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: you win today PTSD →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: breaking up isn’t always hard to do

December 15, 2021 Dear You, I think it’s time we see other people. You see new patients and I will see a new therapist. It’s not me, it’s you. You’re just not “the one”. Sure, we had some good times and you gave me some useful “nuggets” that I will take with me, but we … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: breaking up isn’t always hard to do →

Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I hate goodbyes

December 10, 2021 If you did not read the title in the voice of Jim Carrey from Dumb & Dumber…I don’t think we can be friends. Today I said goodbye to my neurologist and it’s not only heartbreaking, it’s scary. I don’t expect many people to understand how I’m feeling regarding her departure, and until … Continue reading Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: I hate goodbyes →