SPEAK OUT! Faces of Brain Injury – Matthew Vickers (survivor)
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.
Matthew Vickers – Brain Injury Survivor
Matthew Vickers (survivor)
I was diagnosed with a severe diffuse axonal traumatic brain injury two years ago as the result of a motor-vehicle accident. The car flipped four times, and I was ejected from the vehicle. The result was that I was in a coma for a month, and it was thought that I would remain in a vegetative state. I awoke, and, when I was able, I began rehab, which I 
continue to this day. I have completed speech and vision therapies, and I am continuing physical and occupational therapies. Cognitively, I am 100% there, but physically, not so much. Although I am not wheelchair-bound, I have lost the ability to walk from the accident. Through physical therapy, I have progressed to using a cane and a walker. I can walk with minimal assistance a good seventy feet.
Matthew Vickers – Brain Injury Survivor
Going to therapy has been relearning life skills. With determination, I excel. It was thought that if I regained consciousness, I would be a vegetable. I’ve been told I’d never walk again. But, walk I do. Never accept defeat. Never quit.
Thank you Matthew Vickers for sharing your story.
(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)
(Photos compliments of contributor.)
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Comments on: "SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faces of Brain Injury . . . . . . . . . Matthew Vickers (survivor)" (3)
I so inspire Matthew Vickers I’ve been following him on my tribe cause my 18 year old son is a Survivor himself 💚💜
Matt has come so far in a short time he had the same outcome as my then 16 year old son no one can imagine one phone call could change your whole life but that day does just that changes life as you once knew gone like the wind 💨 😑
Caregivers family younger siblings all meeting again for the 1st time it’s like no other Journey invisible or visible life is forever changed 💯
Matt you walk today as much as you walked 5 months ago you have determined to be the best you can be an what a true honor it is to watch and cheer you on from FB 💚💜👍👍👍💯
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Rachel Matthews, what a nice post you wrote for Matthew. I, too, have been watching his progress. He just keeps stepping away. Determination!!
We all know how brain injury can change one’s life in a second. I wish you and your son healing.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.com
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Well done Matthew. Never give up! My brain injury was in 1979 and, like you, I was initially written off. I not only survived against the odds, but completed the impossible. Broke my neck in three places, paralysed from neck down. When I learned I had exceeded all expectations, I saw no reason why I couldn’t go further. You may have read my earlier ‘Itty Bitty Giant Steps’ feature on this page a week or two ago. It related to me achieving slight vertical movement in my lazy left eye. I say to everyone who has had somesort of trauma occur to them – never accept a prognosis – you are stronger than you have ever believed you could be. If you accept bad news,,……you have no hope of getting better. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. Happy New Year!
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