Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Injury is Not Discriminating

It can happen to anyone, anytime, . . . and anywhere.

The Brain Trauma Foundation states that there are 5.3 million people in the United States living with some form of brain injury.

On “Faces of Brain Injury,” you will meet survivors living with brain injury. I hope that their stories will help you to understand the serious implications and complications of brain injury.

The stories on SPEAK OUT! Faces of Brain Injury are published with the permission of the survivor or designated caregiver.

If you would like your story to be published, please send a short account and two photos to me at neelyf@aol.com. I’d love to publish your story and raise awareness for Brain Injury – one view at a time.

Adam Pepiton (survivor) contributed by Tara Pepiton (mom and caregiver)

Adam Pepiton, a graduate of Cesar Chavez High School, was living a full life as a college student studying Criminal Justice, working for Kmart, and spending time with family and friends. On September 5th, 2010, Adam’s life changed forever.  As he left a friend’s house after a barbecue, he became the victim of a drive-by shooting. He was shot in the head. The bullet entered on the right side and lodged in the skull on the left side. This type of injury has less than a 1% survival rate, so Adam’s surviving was a true miracle. After five weeks in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and Acute Care, Adam spent eight weeks at an acute rehabilitation facility. On December 2nd, he was discharged. While Adam’s return home was a significant milestone in his recovery, we recognized that there was still a long road ahead. Adam was diagnosed as a quadriparetic due to the brain injury.  This means Adam has feeling throughout his body, but he can’t control his legs, trunk, and most of his left arm.  Adam has a power-wheelchair that allows for mobility, but he still has the goal of walking again.  He is going back to college part-time, and he has participated in sports, such as archery and power-soccer. He volunteers two days a week for the Red Cross, Greater Phoenix Chapter, and does many activities with old and new friends.  Adam works daily on improvements to meet his ultimate goals of living an independent life and of speaking to youth on violence and the decisions they make. Through all of this, Adam has kept his unwavering faith in God and his quirky sense of humor. We thank amazing family, friends, doctors, and outstanding therapists for everything they have done to get him to where he is today and to where he still plans on going.

Disclaimer:
Any views and opinions of the Contributor are purely his/her own.

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

(Photos compliments of contributor.)

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