Meet Our Members – Lindsey’s Life Lessons

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Welcome back to our featured monthly articles! Each month, we feature a Brain Buddies member and their empowering story. Meet Lindsey, an independent, free spirited, goal driven and focused young woman. Read her story below!

Hi, I’m Lindsey. I’ve always been independent, adventurous, and driven. One of my biggest dreams was to explore other countries and cultures, so at 25, I became an au pair in Madrid, Spain. It was an amazing experience—until everything changed on March 17, 2013.

While visiting Valencia for a festival, I was talking with friends on the sixth floor of our hostel when I leaned to see fireworks through a window. I lost my balance and fell down the middle of a spiral staircase to the marble floor six stories below. I woke up in a hospital, my life turned upside down.

The Spanish medical team called me their “milagro” (miracle) because surviving that fall was nearly impossible. I was in a coma, and my parents flew to Spain to be by my side. A month later, I was medevaced back to the U.S., where doctors confirmed I had a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with diffuse axonal injury.

The journey since has been full of challenges and miracles. I had to relearn everything—how to swallow, talk, walk, and even remember. I went from being unable to lift my head to walking, driving, and living independently again. I’ve leaned on countless therapies, from physical and speech therapy to yoga and art. Every step forward has been a testament to my faith, determination, and the support of my family, friends, and medical teams.

One incredible organization that has been a tremendous support to me is Brain Buddies. I first learned about this group at a soccer game organized by the BIA-MO (Brain Injury Association, Missouri) for TBI survivors and their families. During the event, I had the privilege of sitting next to Tammie Buschling, the founder of Brain Buddies, along with her husband, Randy, and their son, Dane, who is also a TBI survivor. Tammie shared her vision of bringing together a group of young brain injury survivors, and I wholeheartedly agreed, expressing how much such a group was needed to foster camaraderie, especially given the age gaps often present in the Brain Injury Community. A few months later, the founding members, including myself, came together to plan and establish the group. I reached out to every survivor and family I had connected with, and today, several of them are proud members of Brain Buddies.

This organization has helped me and many others overcome hurdles, achieve our goals, and so much more. For example, most recently in April 2024, I took the test to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), and even traveled to Kenya to immerse myself in a new culture. My adventurous spirit is still alive, and I keep setting goals—big and small—to stay strong physically and mentally.

I believe raising TBI awareness is essential because it remains significantly under-recognized in our community. This became especially clear to me during my time at Lindenwood University, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation in December 2023. This degree emphasized education about disabilities, deepening my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Greater awareness of TBIs would foster more compassion and understanding.

In my case, I have a speech disorder from my TBI that I’ve worked on extensively throughout my recovery. While my progress has made the disorder less noticeable, it often leads to misunderstandings—some assume I speak as someone with a hearing impairment, while others mistake it for a learning disorder. During my time at Lindenwood, I utilized accommodations such as taking tests and quizzes in a private room with extended time. Thankfully, my classmates in the degree program, educated on the capabilities of individuals with disabilities, never misjudged me. Unfortunately, misconceptions about disabilities often arise from a lack of awareness and understanding.

Every TBI recovery is unique, and there’s no clear road map. But I’ve learned that with courage, perseverance, and support, it’s possible to create your own path forward. My story is proof that miracles do happen—and that life can still be beautiful after unimaginable challenges.