Get Inspired

Looking for some inspiration? Below, you’ll find a gallery of stories of loss, recovery, community and hope to help patients and families who are struggling.

If you’d like to share your story, reach out to Digital Content Manager Nick Paik at npaik@concussionandcte.org to get started.

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To Play or Not: An NFL Father Reflects To Play or Not: An NFL Father Reflects Stories A father of two former NFL players shares whether children should play football, knowing the latest CTE research. More Than an Athlete: Finding Your Purpose More Than an Athlete: Finding Your Purpose Stories Former football player Marcus Alston shares his struggles with mental health and how he's helping other athletes. A Team Effort Against Suspected CTE A Team Effort Against Suspected CTE Stories A relentless search for answers dealing with suspected CTE leads an Atlanta couple to advocate for others. A Hall of Fame Yale Athlete's Message of Hope Battling Suspected CTE A Hall of Fame Yale Athlete's Message of Hope Battling Suspected CTE Stories Hall of Fame Yale athlete Jon Reese shares his struggles with suspected CTE and offers hope to others. A Former College Soccer Player on Keeping Hope After Concussions A Former College Soccer Player on Keeping Hope After Concussions Stories Former soccer player Caroline Souza shares the importance of keeping hope after concussions. Lauren Beriman Lauren Beriman Stories Hi, I’m Lauren. For years, I felt like something in my head just didn’t feel right but I never knew it could be traced back to the head injuries I suffered as a child. It wasn’t until much later that I connected the dots and discovered I’d been living with ongoing concussion symptoms since I was six years old. The Pat Sullivan Family Race to End CTE: Honoring a Football Legend The Pat Sullivan Family Race to End CTE: Honoring a Football Legend Stories Jean Sullivan honors her husband, Legacy Donor Pat Sullivan, in the Race to End CTE. Team Dice: a Family’s Passion Powers Their Race to End CTE Team Dice: a Family’s Passion Powers Their Race to End CTE Stories Elizabeth Allardice and Kelly Dubs honor Legacy Donor Robert Allardice through the Race to End CTE. My Advice to Others Battling Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) My Advice to Others Battling Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) Stories Breanna Kelsay shares how she’s staying positive dealing with PCS after an accident, and her advice to others struggling. Recovering Out Loud: What My Concussion Journey Taught Me Recovering Out Loud: What My Concussion Journey Taught Me Stories Recovering Out Loud: What My Concussion Journey Taught Me What I Would Tell My Younger Self about Concussions What I Would Tell My Younger Self about Concussions Stories Former Stanford wrestler and rugby player Dahlton Brown shares what he would tell his younger self about concussions. Concussions: Navigating a Decade of Brain Trauma with My Son Concussions: Navigating a Decade of Brain Trauma with My Son Stories Carol O'Malley shares the ups and downs of concussion recovery with her son Ryan, a former football player. A Pro Skateboarder's Recovery from Repeated TBIs A Pro Skateboarder's Recovery from Repeated TBIs Stories Alex Willms shares how he is coping with PPCS, POTS, and possible CTE. My Journey: Overcoming Concussion and Lyme Disease My Journey: Overcoming Concussion and Lyme Disease Stories In 2011, at just 15 years old, I experienced my first concussion while playing Junior A Hockey for the Newmarket Hurricanes. It was an open-ice hit by a much larger 21-year-old player. I still vividly remember getting up, going to the wrong bench, and struggling to articulate the strange feeling I had. Fast forward to 2017, when I experienced a second concussion coupled with a neck injury. This concussion was far more severe than my first. A Cheerleader’s Motivation to Educate on Concussions A Cheerleader’s Motivation to Educate on Concussions Stories Former cheerleader Madison Morgan shares why it's important to take concussions seriously. Staying Positive During My Concussion Recovery Staying Positive During My Concussion Recovery Stories Kaitlin Nini shares her ups and downs of concussion recovery after a car accident. Perseverance and the Importance of Self-Advocacy Perseverance and the Importance of Self-Advocacy Stories Jill Christine shares her journey to let others know they are not alone and there is always hope. Noggins To Noggins: Mackenzie's Year With PCS Noggins To Noggins: Mackenzie's Year With PCS Stories I didn't realize how much I didn't like looking back on my concussion until I started writing this, but I want this to help people. I want people to understand what it's like to have a concussion, not just what it is. Maybe this will help someone understand what a teammate, a friend, or family member is going through. Maybe this will help someone that has a concussion know that they are not alone and that one day, they will beat this. Maybe this will raise more awareness about concussions. Either way, I hope that despite what I had to go through, this helps someone, some way, some how. My Battle With Post-Concussion Syndrome My Battle With Post-Concussion Syndrome Stories My name is Michael Corneau. I am 18 years old and I currently suffer from Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). I am an avid hockey fan, a supporter, and a former player. I played competitive hockey for the majority of my career. I just loved the competition of driving around Eastern Ontario, the rivalries with certain teams, scoring that game-winning goal in the final seconds of the third period to put my team ahead, and doing it all with friends I’ve competed with my entire life. For My Brother Michael: A Story Of Hope For My Brother Michael: A Story Of Hope Stories Katie is a seasoned marathoner - 5 so far with two more planned over the next few months. But this year the Ottawa Marathon will be a lot more personal for Katie. This year she is running with her brother in mind. Katie’s brother Michael recently sustained his second concussion and is now on the road to recovery, uncertain of just how long his recovery will be this time around. My Concussion Story: Enough Is Enough My Concussion Story: Enough Is Enough Stories The reason I am writing this is to let people know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You will get through this. Some days it may seem like you have no chance of getting through it. Some days it’s okay to stay in bed all day, it’s okay not to answer your texts and it’s okay not to go out with your friends. At the end of the day, life is a marathon, it’s not a sprint. Make sure you are doing everything you can to ensure that you have a long and healthy life. Reconceptualizing Loss: An Opportunity For Change Reconceptualizing Loss: An Opportunity For Change Stories Twenty-one years after sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury, head injury surrounds Claire Smith’s once again. This time however, it’s a choice; she can use her own experiences to help other survivors, as well as their families, caregivers, and friends. Embrace Life's Detours Embrace Life's Detours Stories Embrace. Life’s. Detours. Repeat this phrase three times. Write it down. Remember it. Make it your mantra. Taking the Toughness Out of It Taking the Toughness Out of It Stories Unfortunately, I now sit on the couch watching my former teammates play in the CFL instead of lining up against them. My decision to try to be tough and play through concussions put an abrupt and unexpected end to my football career. Up until 2012 I never let the fact that I was the little guy on the field make me feel small. That feeling was reserved for people who couldn’t take a hit, couldn’t bounce back up and couldn’t deal with the pain and physical nature of contact sports. I worked too hard to put myself in a position to succeed to ever feel small. At least that was true until 202012 when I suffered several severe concussions that made me realize just how small I could feel.