Survivor Stories

There are many wonderful and heartwarming success stories relating to brain injuries. Below are links to just a few:

  • Ann Boriskie
    The former elementary school teacher and corporate executive suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury during a 1998 car crash. She was left unable to work because of chronic pain and memory loss, and struggled to heal physically and emotionally. Read more about Ann.

  • Bryan Durio
    Bryan was in a head-on car collision on a rural highway in late 1979. He was knocked into a five-week coma and was paralyzed on his entire left side. He battled back, going through Physical and Occupational Therapy and re-enrolling in college, earning a Bachelors degree in Computer Science in 1984. He spent a total of 18 years in IT as a programmer, trainer, and consultant. Bryan has been a Mobile Disc Jockey since 1998 and a freelance Proofreader/Editor and Webmaster since 2006. Read about Bryan's ordeal and inspiring road to recovery.

  • Mike Abercrombie
    A brain injury survivor and a valued Peer Visitor for the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association. His car accident occurred in May 1993. He was in a coma for 40 days. He then went to Inpatient Rehabilitation until August 5, 1993 and Outpatient Rehabilitation for 4 months, and then was released December 24, 1993. He returned to work in 1994. In 1995, he returned to college where he graduated with a BS Psychology degree in 1999. Mike is a certified Occupational Therapy Aide and a certified Brain Injury Specialist. Mike is LIVING PROOF that rehabilitation WORKS, and he’s living proof that all of the compensatory strategies that Mike practices and teaches DO WORK.

    • Q: Do you need help with doing your daily activities?
    • Q: Do you need help living each day?

    Learn how to regain your independence and take care of yourself. Read more about Mike.

  • Steve Ambrose
    Steve sustained a brain stem injury on the basketball court at the age of 27. He was born in Chicago, and was a Triathlete previous to his injury. Steve has a passion for life. He is an active member of The Seminole Spirit Support Group. He also swims and works out at the YMCA every week. See his story and video at: www.headinjury-att.com.

  • Willie Daniels
    On January 31, 2002, I was shot 7 times – four times to the head and three to the body. I was left for dead, lying alone for two days bleeding to death; then God sent an angel that found me. My recovery was difficult; many people thought I wouldn’t make it. I wanted to give up. I thought my mountain was too high to overcome. Then God spoke to me and said, "I spared your life for a reason." I then understood my mission was to spread my testimony to encourage other brain injury patients as well as gunshot victims through organizations like the BRAIN INJURY PEER VISITOR ASSOCIATION and VICTIMS OF CRIME. To hear more concerning my remarkable recovery, tune in to my YouTube page, Saints Keeping it Real.

  • Mark Halvorsen
    A brain-injury survivor who fell from the roof of his screened-in porch May 1, 1999. Mark is a Peer Visitor for the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association and is also the originator and leader of a extremely active brain injury support group called The Seminole Spirit. Mark started his group in January 2005 with his Speech Pathologist, Katherine T. Peyton. The Seminole Spirit is a language brain injury self-help group that works with people with aphasia. This group meets bimonthly on Fridays at Northbrook United Methodist Church's Scout House at 50 Houze Way in Roswell, Georgia. Call Mark at (404) 434-7452 for more information. Click here for the schedule of 2010 meetings.

    Mark also tells his story about his wonderful spouse and marriage. Read his story, Stay the Course, The M&M Way.

  • Scotty Hunt
    A     brain-injury survivor who was in a head-on collision. His parents were told to put Scotty in a nursing home. Read in Scotty’s own words about his incredible recovery. Read Wynell’s (his Mom) story under the Caregiver Story link. Read about Wynell’s book, Why Scotty? under the Suggested Books link.

  • Jessica Jones
    Listening to the doctors and counselors sometimes in the brain-injured community has you wondering if recovery can ever take place. Well, if you want to see a recovery with a wonderful story, read this story. Fourteen-year-old Jessica Jones recovers completely from a severe Traumatic Brain Injury from a fall off a retaining wall.

  • Lisa Paige Kline
    After years of battling headaches this young woman was partying one night, fell down, and couldn't get up. What everyone thought was just too much to drink turned out to be an aneurysm. Read Lisa's inspiring story, My Life After an Aneurysm.

  • Allen London
    An artist, Allen suffered severe damage a decade ago when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. What he went through shaped his goal in life to help others learn and develop their skills as artists. Read more about Allen's inspiring life.

  • RoseAnn Olson
    Currently on Peer Visiting team at the Shepherd Center and Shepherd Pathways. RoseAnn drowned while swimming 3 years ago. Wife and mom of 2 children. Read more about RoseAnn.

  • Diane Quimby
    Currently on Peer Visiting team at the Shepherd Center; in a horrendous car wreck 5 years ago; had over 35 surgeries; wife and mother of 2 children; has authored a book on brain injury.

  • Derek Rogers
    Read about Derek.

  • Wes Varda
    Hello. On December 11, 2008 I had a brain stem stroke which renendered me "locked in". As of today, I have had an amazing recovery and am back to doing a lot of the everyday things I enjoy. Read more about Wes.

  • Can Brains Be Saved? by Lee Woodruff, wife of Bob Woodruff of ABC News