Debra Jones

A trauma to the brain turned my life upside down, before it was one story to my life, after it I began a new and unfamiliar one.

How do I learn to live within this new reality? How do I figure out who I am now? tell your story, it will show you how. The creation of new stories will give me the opportunity to improve areas that no longer work well, also, build upon the strengths I have.

Constantly talking to myself with my thoughts can retrieve my imagination and become useful in the new creation of me. Journaling can take me wherever I want to go in my mind, heart and spirit, help understand the chaos of the present and heal, to break loose from obstacles that hold me back, I try to record positive, happy thoughts and events, life has so many twists and turns...I focus on building my inner strength, courage, patience and hopefulness.

When I start seeing my self-worth I began to realise that traumatic brain injury didn't steal my future, it changed it's direction. It is up to me to direct my future to fit who I am now.

This is how I can describe a journey that belongs to me and after all it is my story...

About Debra

Q: Please tell us about your brain injury

A: Subdural haematoma and subarachnoid extension and contusions, base of skull fracture. A fall down a flight of stairs in December 2015 led to the above.

I am still learning and trying to implement strategies to cope with all the things you find hard to deal with the fantastic help from Moor Green rehabilitation at Moseley Hall Hospital.

Q: What message do you want to send to people through your creative work? 

A: I have managed to be part of a creative writing group at Moor Green, which has helped me to try and be inspirational, raise awareness of the massive hidden nature of this injury to people in general and try to help people understand the changes in me that are apparent from this injury.

Q: What does A New Me mean to you? 

A: A new me is very difficult to accept at times, but writing, journaling, a diary etc is a very positive way to help with acceptance. I have also managed to do more photography at rehab as it is a passion of mine and my work is displayed at Moor Green. Being creative in different ways is a really amazing way to help to work on so many areas of my brain that don't work properly.