I’m 2 today, now to look at me you may think I’ve had a hard life if I look like this at 2! Well, I’m celebrating (if that’s even the right word?) the 2 year anniversary of my brain injury today and I want to dedicate this one to you, yes you.

This is the face of a survivor

This is the face of a fighter

This is the face of pain and sorrow

This is the face of joy

This is the face of loving and being loved unconditionally

This is a face that has felt hopeless and lost and alone

This is the face that has seen and camped in rock bottom canyon

This is the face of giving up and starting again

This is the face of a newborn

This is the face of a traveller

This is the face of a learner and a teacher

This is the face of feeling broken beyond repair

This is the face of strength and courage

This is the face of grief

This is the face of immeasurable fatigue

This is also YOUR face

To all you survivors, adapters and travellers out there. People who have journeyed through brain injury or loss or mental illness or anything that required you got up and fought. I have cried with you, grieved with you, laughed with you, fallen with you, given up with you, stood, sat and lay down with you, picked myself up with you and got through each day with you.

I AM YOU. YOU ARE ME.

And most importantly I completely and utterly salute you my friends, you’ve totally got this I promise.