Guest Blog: Gail Waitkun On Creating Her Own Roadmap After Brain Injury

“We used to think the brain was fixed in adulthood—but we now know that neuroplasticity continues throughout life. With the right tools, the right support, and relentless commitment, healing is not just possible, it’s transformative.”

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is commonly described as a disruption to the brain’s normal function caused by a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury. But that’s only part of the story. What many still don’t realize is that psychological trauma—like PTSD—can also impact brain function, and often the two go hand in hand. When physical and emotional injuries intersect, it creates a perfect storm of invisible symptoms: cognitive fog, fatigue, speech changes, emotional shifts, and a profound sense of disconnection from oneself and others.

For years, these invisible injuries were misunderstood or dismissed—not just by loved ones, but by the very systems meant to support us. That’s where my journey begins.

 

What I Know Now That I Didn’t Back Then

I’ve had more than a dozen head injuries in my lifetime—some from childhood accidents, others from everyday incidents like a bike crash or a minor car accident that didn’t seem serious at first. My most recent concussion, which doctors labeled “moderate,” completely derailed my life. I lost my sense of smell and taste, my speech was affected, I gained weight, couldn’t process information the way I used to, and my personality shifted dramatically.

Doctors told me that, at 60, I might not improve much. That became a turning point. I refused to accept that narrative.

I began researching, testing, documenting, and recovering with fierce intention. Over the past few years, I’ve not only healed—I’ve surpassed the version of myself that existed before the injury. But that didn’t happen through traditional medical support alone. I had to create my own roadmap.

 

The Breakthroughs I’ve Made—and Now Share with Others

In my recovery, I learned how critical it is to personalize treatment. One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work for brain injury. What does? A unique combination of lifestyle medicine, neuroplastic strategies, trauma-informed communication, and innovative, often non-insurance-covered therapies such as craniosacral therapy, qEEG-guided neurofeedback, HBOT, and vision rehabilitation.

More importantly, I learned how to advocate—not only for myself but for others who are told there’s little hope.

I created The Concussion Conversation Starter workbook to help others begin the dialogue I wish I’d had sooner. It gives brain-injured individuals and their support systems a language, a structure, and the confidence to talk about what’s really happening. Because the truth is, recovery starts with being seen and heard.

 

Advice From a TBI Thriver

If someone you know has had a brain injury, here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: ask, don’t assume. Begin with compassion and curiosity. “How are you doing today?” is more powerful than “You look fine.” Ask if you can ask. Respect their experience, even when you can’t see it.

For those living with a TBI: you are not broken. You are becoming. Your brain is capable of more than you’ve been told. But you must speak up, even if your words come slowly. Use prompts. Use visuals. Use writing. Let people know what you need.

 

What I’d Do Differently—and What You Can Learn From That

I wish I had asked for help sooner. I wish I had educated the people around me about what was going on inside. But shame, confusion, and difficulty with language kept me isolated. That’s why I now coach others through these very hurdles.

If you or someone you love is going through this, please know this: not speaking doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. And silence does not mean healing is happening. Recovery requires conversation.

 

Hope, Redefined

In the past three years, I’ve spoken with doctors who admitted I knew more about brain injury recovery than they were ever taught. I’ve helped others find their path forward—even when medical professionals had given up. I’ve advocated for better systems, more accessible care, and insurance reform.

Most of all, I’ve found that neuroplasticity never stops. The adult brain can heal, rewire, and grow stronger with the right input. You need support. You need resources. And above all, you need belief—in yourself, and in the possibility that your best self might still be ahead of you.

I’m living proof.

 

 

About the author:

Gail Waitkun is an Author, Artist, Educator, Speaker, and the leading authority on Brain Injury Recovery. Her books—Heal Your TBI,  and The Concussion Conversation Starter—have empowered individuals, families, and professionals to take meaningful action in the recovery process. With over a decade of self-driven research and coaching experience, Gail continues to pioneer hope-filled solutions in a space that desperately needs them.