SPEAK OUT! Faces of Brain Injury
Erin Lea Beville & Evelyn Pumarejo-Justiniano
presented by
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
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.
A special shout out to two special nurses.
Erin Lea Beville (survivor)
I’m a sixteen-year survivor. I got my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Florida State University in May (2014) and my RN license last October. Having a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I needed a bit of rest following the hell that is nursing school. I was fried!
I recently started a job as an Integrated Health Wellness Coach and Peer Support Specialist at Community Mental Health. It’s perfect because they want me to share my story and pay me for it. My brain injury is finally an asset rather than a liability. So, hooray for patience, 
perseverance, and determination! I’ve done it – not in spite of my TBI, but because of it. Together, we can be the difference, for each other and for others. Go out there and inspire people. Be the person only you can be – yourself. Then own it. You rock!
Evelyn Pumarejo-Justiniano (survivor)
I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) almost twenty years ago. I had to learn how to walk and talk and to relearn the basic things we take for granted in life. Yet, I feel I am blessed. I overcame all the obstacles and unforeseen 
circumstances put in my life. I returned to school after my injury and had a GPA of 3.79 in nursing school. Today I am a nurse – going on a year now. I am planning to go for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. And, I thank God for my good husband, who has been by my side the past 29 years.
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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Comments on: "SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faces of Brain Injury Erin Lea Beville & Evelyn Pumarejo-Justiniano" (2)
Great and inspiring stories as mine is similar. just got my masters degree in mental health counseling and view my TBI as an asset as well, not a liability. very inspiring and great to know there are others continuing their education as well. I will now be posting my story on here as well. TBI AWARENESS is essential!
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Daniel, that is wonderful news about your getting your Masters Degree. I bet you will exude understanding in this area of counseling. I would be happy to publish your story on “Faces of Brain Injury.” Please send it to me at donnaodonnellfigurski@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog and helping to raise awareness of brain injury – one view at a time.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com
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