""Gabby
Giffords, whose political career was cut short
when she was seriously wounded by a gunman in Phoenix on
Jan. 8, 2011, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on
September 6, 2012 to lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance." Ms. Giffords showed true grit in doing so, and puts
persons with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) in center stage.
Gabby's Pledge (on YouTube)
Julia Fox Garrison
had a promising career in the computer
industry when she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and paralyzing
stroke. While recovering, she realized that she had a lot to say. Her
book, "Don't Leave Me This Way" is worth reading for anyone with an
interest in TBI or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
Here are Julia's comments on Gabby's pledge:
"I watched Gabby Giffords deliver the Pledge of Allegiance with a
mixture of awe and admiration. This was not just an example of one
person's will to overcome, for Gabby has become a role model to the
nation that whatever adversity we face, we must never give up or give in
to the obstacles placed before us. Think of all the anonymous Gabbys out
there persevering in the face of life-altering hardships.
I regularly encounter survivors at brain injury conferences who
educate and inspire me by their resolve to get better. They all
demonstrate an ability to reach deep within themselves to find the
strength to continue the struggle to improve and recover. But they are
not alone, for they share the struggle with a support network of family,
friends, caregivers, and therapists who encourage and motivate the
survivors. Those in the network have their own affliction by association
and share a diagnosis of helplessness.
As I watched the broadcast, I couldn't help but contrast Gabby's
return to the public spotlight with Dick Clark returning to his New
Year's Eve special following his stroke. I recall the public discourse
being divided, on the one hand admiring his courage, and on the other,
wishing he had not returned to the airwaves. I, of course, aligned with
the former, but I understand the latter position. People with no direct
link to brain injury don't know what to expect or how react, and so they
do not want to be confronted with its impact. The difference, of
course, in these two cases is that Dick Clark's speech was seriously
impaired, while Gabby spoke forcefully and deliberately, thus gaining
the love and admiration of the audience. Clearly, she had worked long
and hard to master her delivery. Also remarkable is that Gabby is only
some 20 months out from her injury.
The road to recovery from brain injury is slow and arduous, often
measured in baby steps. Day to day, we, as survivors, feel like we
aren't making any progress, but then we compare where we are to where we
were at the time of injury and we realize that all those baby steps add
up to a leap. The hard part is realizing and accepting that no matter
how much we recover, we will not be the same person we were. How could we
be, after what we've been through; we, like Gabby, are so much wiser,
stronger, more resilient, and grateful to still be here, making a
positive impact."
You my contact Julia at JFG Email.
