Brainwaves TBI newsletter explores recovery journeys for traumatic brain injury survivors. In this podcast of a recent article, we hear Darcy’s remarkable story of overcoming TBI after a devastating car accident. Despite sustaining a brain bleed, collapsed lung, and memory loss, Darcy shifted her mindset from focusing on limitations to possibilities.
Darcy shares a five-step method to rebuild life, including the importance of surrender, perseverance, and specifically asking for help. The podcast also discusses practical tools like using timers, calendars, and working during peak alertness. There is also an introduction to the Rutgers Synapse program, which supports survivors and caregivers through peer connections.
Articles
00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
00:41 - Taking ‘STEPS’ to Overcome Adversity
03:35 - Five “STEPS” to help overcome adversity after traumatic brain injury
04:31 - There’s No Place Like Home
07:15 - "A Smart Start to Life at Home"
08:00 - RU Ready for a New Brain Injury Resource?
09:50 - Episode wrap-up
For more information:
READ this TBI Brainwaves newsletter, https://kesslerfoundation.org/newsletter/brainwaves-fall-2025-taking-steps-overcome-adversity
LISTEN to past Brainwaves audio newsletters, https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/brainwaves-audio-newsletter
LEARN MORE—TBI Facts Sheets from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets
PARTICIPATE: Interested in participating in our research remotely or in-person? Go to https://kesslerfoundation.org/join-our-research-studies
Production Notes
This podcast was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith , Creative Producer at Kessler Foundation (March 2026).
Accessibility
Kessler Foundation uses AI voices and narrators to make our media more accessible. These tools help ensure people with visual or cognitive impairments can access our materials. Automated voices may not always capture intonation or pronunciation as clearly as the accompanying text. If you experience issues with our AI narrators, please contact us at communications@kesslerfoundation.org.
