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There's a story
behind every mask,
​and behind every mask
​there's a person,
a person that's been touched by brain injury
The mission of Unmasking Brain Injury is to promote awareness of the prevalence of brain injury; to give survivors a voice and the means to educate others of what it’s like to live with a brain injury; to show others that persons living with a disability due to their brain injury are like anyone else, deserving of dignity, respect, compassion and the opportunity to prove their value as citizens in their respective communities.

Candyce C.
Motor Vehicle Accident
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My name is Candace and I love marketing and selling cars. I got my brain injury while I was in my late 20's and involved in a drunk driving motor vehicle accident. I painted my mask to look just like me with red lipstick. 





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Kimberley L.
Domestic Abuse Incident
My name is Kimberly, I'm from Baltimore, and I have an 11 year old daughter who I love very much.  I am a victim of domestic abuse, and was thrown down the stairs, causing my brain injury. Sometimes, I get upset about my injury because it keeps me away from my daughter so much. To keep myself busy, I have worked at Neurorestorative for the last four years. I am responsible for completing housekeeping jobs including cleaning and painting. While painting my mask, I chose to use pink paint and feathers for one side to represent me being bright and happy. The other part of the mask is blue and plain to show how I sometimes feel hopeless and sad. 
Jerry K.
Motor Vehicle Accident
​II was born and raised in Pennsylvania, so you know what that means. GO STEELERS! I am 47 years old and aside from sports I love everything dealing with music. I have even played in a band in the past where I was the lead singer. I am very proud to say that I live in an independent living community where I can cook, clean, and do anything on my own. I got my brain injury in 2006 from a motor vehicle accident. A driver was carelessly speeding 80 miles per our through a red traffic light when they crashed in to me. I decided to paint my mask green and purple because they are my favorite colors. 

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​Laurie E.
​Motor Vehicle Accident
I had a traumatic brain injury to the right side of my brain so the black part of my mask represents that dark aspects and the coma. Yellow is for looking up and the gratitude to be alive. I’ve always loved dancing. In some circles I’m known as the princess of fun, which is represented by the pink feather. I also have the initials of the organizations that I am involved in on my mask. DORS, the Division of Rehabilitation services is for my career as a career assessment specialist before my brain injury. I transferred the skills and knowledge from that job to working with the Brain Injury Association of Maryland and volunteering on their conference committee. I’m also a member of the Traumatic Brain injury Advisory Board which is  a governor appointed council that advises the governor and legislature on how to enhance the lives of individuals with brain injury. IL, which stands for Independent Living, is a movement with a focus on people with disability having choice and control in their lives. Love is for the love of family and friends which I believe brought me back to life after my coma and this love continues to inspire me to live each day to the fullest.
Frank J.
​Fall
Hello! My name is Frank, but I also go by Frankie. Years ago, I was a recovering alcoholic who frequently attended support groups and AA meetings. One night, I started drinking again and fell, hitting my head in the process. Now, I am sober and have been sober since I entered a neuro day program. Alcohol used to consume my life, so the main way that I cope is through music. I have played the guitar for 40 years and I can say that I am a much happier person now. Alcohol used to keep me away from my true passion for music and now I am able to play the guitar and listen to music as freely as I'd like. ​
Malanie
Hit By Someone Driving While Texting
​I was working extra time for Christmas as a flagger for traffic. While attempting to stop ongoing traffic I was hit by someone who was driving while texting. I am working hard to get well. Sometimes I feel like I have lost myself. I need a lot of support to help me. I really want to be a better person and be there for myself and my kids. 



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Ezra
​Fell Off a Balcony
​My name is Ezra and I am 29 years old. I would consider myself a big "fitness buff" as I love to work out and play baseball. Currently, I am trying to get employment with the Bowie Baysocks Baseball Club as a ticket vendor. One night while I was in college, I was drinking on a balcony with a few of my fraternity brothers when I lost my balance and fell 13 feet, landing on my head. I was on life support for a good amount of time and everyone believed I would not live. However, I am still here today and am eternally grateful to be alive. 




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Kim S.
Stroke
​My name is Kim and some of the things I like to do are shop, eat, and read magazines. Something what makes me happy is being around and working with younger children. This is why I chose to become a day care provider. I acquired my brain injury  after having a stroke, which is also why I now utilize a wheelchair. I decided to paint my mask yellow because it reminds me of the bright sun and bright colors make me feel happy. I also wrote the word love on my forehead to represent my loving and caring side. 

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Bruce
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​My name is Bruce and I am 62 years old.  I like to challenge myself by doing  brain teaser games and solving puzzles. I am also a big fan of television. My favorite shows are Bonanza and Little House on the Prarie, and my favorite movie genre is Western. My communication is somewhat limited due to to my brain injury which is why I wanted to use this mask as a way to express my personality. I attached a red cotton ball to my nose to signify my sense of humor, because I am funny like a circus clown. 
Garey J.
Shot in the Head
​My name is Garey and I am the master of cards. I love to play all kinds of card games, and can beat anyone who tries to play against me. I am also known for knowing almost everything about Hollywood and current events because I am always watching and reading the news. I got my brain injury after being shot in the head, and was in a coma for seven weeks. However, I am recovering and remain strong because of all the support from my friends and family. 

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Mark H.
Motorcycle Accident

​Prior to my brain injury, I was an auto technician by trade because I love everything dealing with the automotive industry. I even saved up enough money to buy a brand new motorcycle. Seven years ago, I was riding my motorcycle when suddenly a white van sped through a red light and I t-boned the side of it. I was wearing a helmet, but ironically it saved my life and killed me at the same time. I sustained serious head injuries from my helmet and was immediately transported to the hospital in a helicopter. I died nine times while on the flight. I have black Xs on my mask because each spot with and X represents where I had broken bones. 
Theresa L.
​Stroke/Car Accident
​My name is Theresa and I am 25 years old. I enjoy doing word searches and cross word puzzles because I like to challenge myself. Due to my brain injury, I often communicate through use of American Sigh Language and my iPad. About seven years ago right before I was about to go to college, I had a stroke while driving my car and crashed. I decided to decorate my mask with multi-colored feathers to show my fun, girly side.


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Gil
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My name is Gil and I am 59 years old. I love listening to all kinds of music, but rock and roll is my personal favorite. In fact, I myself play the guitar. Aside from listening to music, I like to participate in pretty much any activity as I am a very easy going person. I also like to read the newspaper and look at different kinds of magazines.




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Anonymous
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I have three older sisters, three nieces, and a nephew. I was born in Ohio, but grew up mainly in Maryland. I like watching football games with my family and am a huge Pittsburg Steelers fan. For 10 years, I worked for two star general officers at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. I sustained my brain injury in 1978 when  I was driving too fast after a party and got into a car accident. The red paint across my forehead represents my brain injury and the rest is purple because it is my favorite color. 

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James
​Fall
I had two falls causing 2 brain injuries. I've accepted my injury. It is what it is. I am anxious about the next step from here. I feel lucky to be alive. 



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Leonard M.
Anoxic
​In July 2017, I sustained an anoxic brain injury due to lack of oxygen to my brain. I had two heart attacks and when I died, I felt like I was floating and the lord was all around me. Every day since then, I wait for the lord to tell me what to do and guide me through my brain injury. This is why I decided to spell out "GOD" on the forehead of my mask. God is a larger than life, solar system being to me I have a very strong connection with God. Prior to my brain injury, I had lost my pharmacology license from writing myself prescriptions. Soon after, I developed an opioid addiction.
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Alicia C.
Brain Tumor/Car Accident
​My name is Alicia. My brain injury story began 17 years ago at age 25 as I was on a career path in the field of marine science. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor hence the red paint. Shortly thereafter I was in a car accident and experience a whiplash. I incurred a concussion that day also marked in red. The color red reminds me of blood and danger as far as being at a higher risk for future injuries. Unmasking the invisible in my life would take quite a bit of paint! This is the surface of my life in the face of challenges, frustrations, etc. I still approach life as before, upbeat and positive. I enjoy travelling hence the compass symbol and spiral shape. I am fascinated by anything science. The other red area represents the constant, relentless tinnitus ringing in my ear and the blue zig zag symbols are the high-pitched sounds, a result of treatments for the brain tumor over the years. This only added to the already debilitating cognitive fatigue from the concussion. Coping strategies to manage the fatigue have helped. Maybe there'll be a cure one day. 

Cheryl
Drunk Driving Motor Vehicle Accident

I have two sisters who I am very close to and love very much. I have been at the Neurorestorative day program for one year recovering after my brain injury.  I was involved in a drunk driving motor vehicle accident and stayed in a coma for months after. The blue paint on my mask represents the things that I still can do, but have limited ability. The red paint on my mask represents the frustration that I feel when I can no longer do things that I used to love. 
Terrence W.
Motorcycle Accident
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​My name is Terrance and I have been at the Neurorestorative day program for 6 months.  One of my favorite things to do at the program is play pool. I also enjoy doing automotive work and looking at different kinds of cars. I got my brain injury last year while I was riding my motorcycle. I was riding down the highway when I noticed a traffic jam up ahead, so I started to slow down. However, one of the cars didn't try to slow down, so they ended up crashing in to me. I painted my mask red and black because that was the color of the car that hit  me. My motorcycle was also black and had stripes along the side. 


​Teth
​Motor Vehicle Accident
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I have a traumatic brain injury from a car accident that happened in 2004.  I was driving to work and swerved into an oncoming car, who was also crossing over the median.  No one knows why I swerved, and I can't remember.  I painted my mask purple because I love purple and I love the Baltimore Ravens.  I also like the Avengers and so I decorated my mask to look like Thanos from the Avengers movie.  The stars across my forehead represent my two star tattoos, and they represent my past job as a tattoo artist.  I included the feathers because they are pretty.  I can no longer work, and no longer practice my art.  However, I can still play guitar, even though sometimes it is difficult.  Life is hard every day, but I pray to God every night for guidance. ​
Sandra B.
Skiing Accident
I have aphasia, which means I don’t remember words very well. I had the idea to use three different colors in the area of the brain because, that is what is different, the rest of me is still Sandra.  Brown means stability and that is very important in my life because everything isn’t as stable as I thought. Dark red means I have a longing to be normal and have courage.  I’m being told, and I believe, that it takes courage to go through this traumatic brain injury. The blue in my mask means trust and loyalty.  This is very important to me and always has been.  I now realize that people have to earn my trust.   I have a master's degree and I am a registered nurse and have been for 40 years.  Before my injury, I was writing policies and regulation for the government for Medicare.  I acquired my brain injury in January of 2015 when I was skiing.  My husband taught me to ski well and I was on the very difficult slope when I fell in an ungroomed area of the hill.  We were in Maine and I was rushed to the hospital where I was thankfully helped by a neurosurgeon.  For many years I did not have awareness of what was going on.  I am now becoming more aware of life in general.
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Dean
Surgery
​My name is Dean, I am 45 years old, and I am originally from Colorado. I enjoy watching from all genres, but my favorites are horror and action. I got my brain injury five years ago when I died on the operating table while getting surgery. I was revived twice, which is why some people call me "a miracle" or "Hercules" because of how strong I am. "Never be afraid to die" was the first thing that came to my head when I started designing my mask. After my experience, I am not afraid of death and neither should anyone else. I also used yellow pipe cleaners to create an angelic halo above my head. 
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Brennan L.
Motor Vehicle Accident​
​My name is Brennan and I am 26 years old. I love everything dealing with Halloween, from dressing up in costumes to watching scary movies. I got my brain injury during a motor vehicle accident where I flew through the windshield of my car because I was not wearing a seatbelt. So, always remember to have your seatbelt buckled! I am painting my mask to look like the mask of a super hero who will save the day when people are in danger. 
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​Anonymous
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If I ever make a bucket list, the first thing that will be on it is to visit every country in the world. So far, I have only seen about 1/4 of it. I am 47 years and 1 month old and I am originally from Sacramento, California. In 1971, my family moved to West Africa. I absolutely loved living in West Africa because it was so different from where I lived before. The food, the culture, the people...all of it! I would really like to go back one day if I can. I got my brain injury about 8 years ago when I was at a bar shooting pool at 3:00 in the morning. While I was leaving the bar, I was suddenly jumped, robbed, and kicked repeatedly in the head. For my mask, I painted it green, red, and yellow to symbolize the West African flag. ​​
Anonymous
Shot in the Head
​I am 35 years old, and I like listening to rap music, especially songs by Lil Wayne and Jay Z.  Something that I am very proud of is that I can now walk after being very dependent on a wheelchair in the past. I am now starting to do more physical activities to keep my body strong and in shape.  I sustained my brain injury 11 years ago when  I was robbed and shot in the head. I have feathers on my mask not only because I am "fly", but because I am flying through my brain injury. 



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Rachal V.
​Motor Vehicle Accident
​My name is Rachal and I am 27 years old. I love listening to music and my favorite artist is Darius Rucker. I also like watching NASCAR racing, my favorite driver being Dale Eatnhardt Jr. In the morning, getting a drink from  Starbucks is an absolute must, just like it is for a lot of other people. I sustained my brain injury after being involved in a severe motor vehicle accident. I decided to decorate my mask to represent my sparkly and girly personality by using pink paint, feathers, and lots of glitter. 
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Mike F.
Assault
​I love 80's rock and blues music, one of my favorite artists being Led Zeppelin. I also like to read novels and comic books. An interesting fact about me is that my goal is to become a dog groomer. I hope to soon take college courses that will prepare me for this job in the future. I also like to volunteer because I am very helpful and caring toward others. My brain injury was brought on after an assault. I decided to paint my mask purple because it is my favorite color. The black on my forehead represents the scar left behind after the assault and the streaks of red represent blood coming from my eyes and my mouth after my brain injury.
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Steven S
Motorcycle Accident​
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​My name is Steven and I have been at the Neurorestorative day program center for about eight months. I got my brain injury when I was riding my motorcycle and was hit by a speeding car. I painted my mask red and black because they are my favorite colors. 









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Anonymous
Car Accident
I am 56 years old and from Johnstown, PA. I like to watch TV a lot, my favorite kind being crime and police shows and listening to country music because it makes me feel calm. I am very interested in soon finding a job where I can work for myself and be independent. I got my brain injury when  I was in a car accident at the age of nine. As you can see on my mask, my forehead looks like a rainbow and is very colorful. This is because I sometimes have seizures and when they happen, I tend to see lots of different colors surrounding me. 
Carlos M
​Fall
​My name is Carlos and I am 45 years old.  Eight years ago, I used to work as a contractor where I would provide equipment and labor for various construction projects. While painting a building 26 stories high, my safely harness came loose and sent me falling to the ground. The next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital bed. I painted my mask with a variety of different colors to show how happy I remain to be despite my injury. 


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Kathryn G.
Horseback Riding Fall
​My name is Kathryn, but I also like to go by Kat. I love being outside and going horseback riding. I have been at the Neurorestorative day center for seven years and I am very pleased with how far I have come as I now stay in an independent living community. I can cook, eat, and live freely on my own. I acquired my brain injury in 2011 when I was abruptly thrown 30 feet while horseback riding with my friends. I decided to split my mask in half to show that I have had two brain injuries. I used the pink and purple paint to do so because they are my favorite colors. 
Donte
Shot in the Head
​I was shot multiple times in my head, torso and left leg and my left side is weak. I've had a lot of pain. At the hospital they said to pull the plug but my parents didn't. I beat the odds. I feel blessed to be alive, I've learned patience with my recovery. I fear failure, I will overcome any challenge. 
Clarence
​Fall
l fell and hit my head. They had to remove part of my skull so I have to wear a helmet now. I've experienced pain. I feel sad but also strong. I'm excited to have my skull back. I've accepted that I have to wear the helmet. But its frustrating to not have choices in the hospital. I'm over it and I miss my family. I'm happy about how things are going now. My right arm was weak but now I was able to paint this mask with it. ​



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LaToya
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I had a seizure, I had an infection in my ovaries. A teratoma…that's what its called. It traveled to my brain. It took some time but I have gotten better with great help, my strength, and great support from my family. I've made this mask to represent my pain and my struggle. The blue is my daughter's favorite color, its on the right side of my brain. It shows how much I miss her. It takes up a lot of my brain while I recover and go through this healing process. The red sprinkles are a thought of my son. The purple was my mom's favorite color. I've accepted my diagnosis and I will not allow it to affect my daily life. I hope you have enjoyed reading my story. 
Sean

Chuck C.
​Motorcycle Accident
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My name is Chuck, I will be turning 60 years old this year, and I am a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. I was in the U.S. Air Force for ten years before I got my brain injury through a motorcycle accident. The portion of my mask is painted army green and blue to mimic the camouflage pattern on my uniform. 


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Steve S.
Bicycle Accident
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My name is Steve and I am 76 years old. I have a strong passion for classical music as I have played piano since I was three and am a big fan of Beethoven. I sustained my brain injury in 1997 when I was hit from behind by a vision impaired driver while on a bicycle and was thrown through the windshield. After being in post hospital rehabilitation, childhood memories of playing L. Van Beethoven resurfaced early in my recovery and continue to be with me today! This is why I decided to decorate the forehead of my mask with musical notes. 


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Martin K.
Hit by a Car
​I painted my mask blue because it is one of the colors of brain injury awareness.  The pictures on the mask describe me and parts of my life.  One picture I chose was a picture of a brain with a band-aid and the words brain injury above.  This was the only picture I did not color.  I put the brain injury picture as the smallest and at the bottom because though it is part of me, it does not define me.  The other words and pictures I chose to include are brother, uncle, godfather, husband, friend, athlete, sports fan, father, son, teacher, and advocate.  I colored these images and words because they are part of who I am.  The biggest item on my mask, right across the forehead, is the word survivor in all caps.  All the other things pictured, and so much more, make me who I am.  I am more than my brain injury; I am a survivor!
George O.
Caregiver
I am my wife, Sandra's, caregiver.  ​My mask is decorated from right to left in a lot of lively colors representing a life that was very interesting and fulfilled. We skied, we scuba dove, we traveled. While doing something we truly loved, skiing, our life changed abruptly. For me, I went into a major gray area dealing with Sandra’s injury and waiting. It wasn’t good but she didn’t die either so that’s why it is gray and not black.  After going through tons and tons of medical procedures and therapies and were starting to come out on the other side now. We are travelling again and having a lot of fun and a more fulfilled life.














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​​Davo
Severe Car Accident​
My name is David, but I often  go by Davo and I am 37 years old. I enjoy riding my bicycle and taking pottery lessons. I am also in charge of the recycling program at my neuro day program because I enjoy making my environment a better place. I sustained my brain injury from a severe car accident and painted my mask with dark colors to show how bad I feel sometimes.



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David B.

I am a very hands-on person. My past job was as an auto mechanic doing auto inspections and repairs. I like to work on cross word puzzles and word searches to improve my motor skills. I am also known to have red hot fire ball candy, which I often share each week with the rest of the group. The red parts on my mask signify the many places on my face where I had broken bones after the accident. However, the three red dots on my forehead were places where I was pierced and pieces of debris went into my head.
Garland B.
​Unsure
​My name is Garland and I am 65 years old. Something that I love is art. I can draw very well and in fact, I just submitted my artwork to a community art expo competition put on by ADA. I have won the competition for three years in a row, and I look forward to winning again this year. I am unsure how I sustained my brain injury, as my biggest challenge is memory impairment. Despite this, my skills in art manifest and I am able to apply my feelings of anger and anxiety to my artwork. 




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Elizabeth E.
Concussion
​My name is Elizabeth, and I am an  individual who sustained a concussion over a year ago. I fell down concrete steps and while I tried to brace myself, I broke my arm and hit my head. I did not lose consciousness, and was able to recall the cognitive questions the EMTs asked me when they arrived. After the fall, I wasn't able to return to work right away due to the injury. Word finding and confusion still plague me to this day. The left side of the mask represents the mask I must wear every day, lying showing I am fine. The right side of the mask shows how the injury has affected me both cognitively and emotionally. 
Patrick
Fall
​I am very much an old school guy. I love classic cars and one of my favorite things to do each year is go to classic car auctions. In my free time, I enjoy listening to late 70's music and eating Reece's Peanut Butter Cups. Prior to my injury, I was a steel and ironworker. I, along with other members of my team, would install bars of steel and iron to support the structure of different buildings and bridges. I acquired my injury from a fall.
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Brian S.
Motor Vehicle Accident
​My name is Brian, I am 26 years old, and I am originally from Fairfax, VA. I have two younger brothers, Mark and David, with whom I am very close to and wish I could see more often. My hobbies include playing all sports such as soccer, tennis, and swimming. I was one of the top 2 fastest swimmers in Alexandria, VA and actually met Michael Phelps when I was 16. I got my brain injury on September 19th, 2011 when I was driving under the influence and got into a severe car crash. On my mask, I have an X on my left ear because I am hard of hearing and have a cochlear implant. I have yellow on my forehead because I am bright and I am always thinking about new things, and the red part is where my metal surgical piece is located. 
Kathleen K
Domestic Violence Incident
​My name is Kathleen, but you can call me the Queen of Glam. I always like to have my hair and my nails done as often as possible. I also love reading fashion magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. My favorite artist is Whitney Houston and my favorite color is yellow. I sustained my brain injury from a domestic violence incident in which I was run over by a car. I thought it was a good idea to decorate my mask to show my personality and sense of style. This is why I have pretty colored feathers in my hair, eye makeup, and bright red lipstick on. 

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Jean P.
Stroke​
​Hello! My name is Jean and I am 46 years old. More often than not, you will see me with my violin. I love to perform at weddings, rotary clubs, and even the annual Brain Injury Association of Maryland Conference! I also make handmade jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, and earrings) and sing opera. Soon, I am hoping to get funding so I can expand my business. I sustained my brain injury after having a stroke causing me to sometimes experience aphasia. I decorated my mask to represent myself and my French heritage. 
Jason S.
Motorcycle Accident​
​My name is Jason and I will be 33 this May. My favorite color is red and I love to eat banana nut bread. I am a very family-oriented person, and my main goal is to get better just for them. My second goal is to go through vocational training to eventually b able to install cable with Comcast. My brain injury was acquired after being in a motorcycle accident while riding my ninja. On my mask, you will see multiple black Xs around my face. This is to show that I am ashamed to have a brain injury and that I tend to hide and hold back my feelings a lot. 
David H.
Motor Vehicle Accidents/Assault​
​I am 64 years old and a few things I like to do are watch movies and read books. Every Tuesday I like to go to the library and borrow as many books as I can carry! I also look forward to going bowling with my family again soon. I got my first two TBIs after being involved in motor vehicle crashes. My third TBI was brought on after being violently assaulted with a baseball bat. Something I am very proud of is that I have been sober for a very long time now after being dependent on drugs and alcohol. I decided to paint my mask with these colors simply because they made me feel happy. 
Maggie
Hypoxic
​I had a seizure that caused me to fall into water where I almost drowned. Then I went into cardiac arrest. My brain injury happened because my brain didn’t have enough oxygen. The red on my mask represents all of the pain I've had because of my injury. I am happy to be alive. 
Roque
Fall​
​I fell and hit my head. My left side is weak. I'm happy that I can use my hand again. I'm looking forward to getting back to work. The blue line on the head of my mask represents the scar from my brain surgery. 









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Spencer


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​I had a brain injury and fractures in my face. This whole ordeal has been bittersweet in regards to my person as a whole. I find it incredibly frustrating trying to complete what was once simple and easy. Despite this anger I still feel comfortable and convicted to my decision to remain sober. I am seemingly happier after my injury. The warm colors (red/orange/yellow) in my mask represent the happiness that I feel in my new life. My eyes are bright because I am bright eyed now. The cool colors (blue/green) represent my calmness. I think it is solely being more content that is making life as a whole easier to deal with. I live a more purpose driven life, focusing on my future and how  can build towards it. I'm anxious about the next steps but I know I need to remain sober, it's the only way I can allow my true intentions to shine through. 

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