Every March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month. It’s a time to acknowledge and support 5.3 million Americans living with a permanent brain injury-related disability and the caregivers, family members, professionals, and advocates who make up the brain injury community.
Acquired brain injuries (ABIs) are a serious public health issue, with 3.6 million new injuries reported each year and likely many more that go undiagnosed, unreported, and untreated. Brain Injury Awareness Month shines a light on this important and sometimes overlooked public health issue.
In 2022, BIAA continues its #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign, which centers the stories of brain injury survivors to increase understanding, reduce stigma, improve care, and showcase the diversity in this community. Individuals impacted by brain injury are invited to participate on a personal level through storytelling, social media posts, custom apparel, media outreach, and legislative advocacy.
“Our goal, with this campaign, and as part of our work generally, is to support community members in expressing their unique experiences,” said Susan H. Connors, BIAA’s president and chief executive officer. “#MoreThanMyBrainInjury is about advancing the narrative that individuals with brain injuries are just that – individuals.”
Megan Stier Shares Her Personal TBI Narrative
One such individual is Megan Stier, who shared her story of brain injury as a result of concussion in high school. Stier described herself in a powerful video as “an over-achiever” before the injury with dreams of being a stage performer. After the concussion, her doctors told her that this was no longer realistic, and she faced misunderstanding and bullying from her peers. Instead of accepting their lowered expectations, Stier has gone on to become an advocate, motivational speaker, and performer.
“Despite my brain injury, I’ve been able to do everything I wanted to do, and everything I was told I couldn’t do,” said Stier. “It might’ve been a little harder. I might’ve had to put work into it than other people. I used the tools that I learned from my brain injury to really thrive and achieve everything I want to achieve.”
Join The Conversation
Information about BIAA’s #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign, including additional stories like Stier’s and ways to participate throughout Brain Injury Awareness Month, is available at biausa.org/morethanmybraininjury.
Individuals in need of resources and support after brain injury should contact BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443.
