I have experienced three traumatic brain injuries over the course of my life. Each occurred at different times and under different circumstances, but the cumulative impact significantly affected my cognitive functioning. Following my injuries, I experienced changes in memory, attention, processing speed, mental endurance, and stress tolerance. Many of the effects were invisible to others, but very real in daily life. Tasks that once felt automatic required greater effort. Conversations took more concentration. I often felt mentally fatigued long before the day was done. Like many individuals living with traumatic brain injury, I looked “fine” on the outside — but inside, I was navigating a very different cognitive reality.
Several things have helped me. First, connecting with community through the Victoria Brain Injury Society was transformative. Being around others who understood the lived experience of brain injury reduced isolation and provided access to resources I would not have discovered on my own. Through the Society, I learned about a research initiative connected with the University of Victoria, where I was introduced to NeuroTracker, a cognitive training system grounded in neuroplasticity research. Participating in that program allowed me consistent access to structured cognitive training. I want to be clear: I did not see noticeable improvement right away. It took approximately three and a half months of steady training before I began to feel meaningful cognitive shifts. Over time, my measurable NeuroTracker performance increased by more than 300% from where I began. While scores are not the whole story, I also experienced improvements in sustained attention, mental stamina, and confidence in daily functioning. Equally important were patience, support, and a mindset shift — understanding that recovery is not linear and that the brain retains capacity for adaptation.
If you could go back to when you first acquired your brain injury and tell yourself one thing, what would that be?
I would tell myself: Do not assume this is the end of your growth. In the early stages, it is easy to fear permanent decline. I would remind myself that the brain is adaptable, that progress can take time, and that frustration does not mean failure. I would also tell myself to seek community sooner. Isolation magnifies difficulty. Connection accelerates resilience. Most importantly, I would tell myself to be patient. Change does not happen overnight.
What would you like people who don’t have a brain injury to know?
Brain injury is often invisible. Someone may appear capable, articulate, and physically well — and still be working twice as hard cognitively to complete everyday tasks. Mental fatigue is real. Processing delays are real. Overstimulation can be overwhelming. Compassion, flexibility, and patience make a significant difference. I would also want people to know that recovery is possible. Not always in the way we expect, and not always back to a previous version of ourselves — but growth, adaptation, and meaningful progress are real. The brain is more resilient than many assume.
I believe we need broader conversations across Canada and North America about active cognitive rehabilitation and access to innovative tools grounded in neuroscience. Too often, individuals with traumatic brain injury transition out of structured rehabilitation with limited long-term cognitive training options. Community-based programs, research partnerships, and emerging technologies deserve greater visibility and informed discussion. My journey led me to explore neuroplasticity-based cognitive training in depth, which I later documented in my book, The NeuroTracker Solution: Rebuilding the Brain, Rewiring the Mind, Reawakening Human Potential. My hope is to contribute to advocacy efforts that increase awareness, expand access, and empower individuals living with acquired brain injury to participate actively in their recovery.
