S2 E50: Survivor Story: Running Your Way Through Depression with Brooke Trotter
Depression is so real for many of us post injury. It robs us of feeling joy and part of life. It takes tremendous courage and strength to persevere and feel your sense of worth again. In today’s survivor story, Brooke talks about how he was able to reinvent himself post injury all while dealing with depression. He has used his experience to increase public safety around cautious driving all while conquering new skills like public speaking and long distance charity runs. His approach to recovery has helped others and has strengthened his mental health.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to spark your next endeavor, look no further; take a listen!
In this episode:
Brooke is involved in:
Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign in England
CFG Law, Serious Accident Solicitor Group
Podcast: Brain Injury Bites
Brooke tells his story as a TBI survivor. He was a pedestrian hit by a car.
He was in a coma for 16 days. Unable to speak for 2 weeks after opening his eyes. He was hospitalized for around 6 months in total.
He suffered a skull fracture, nasal fracture, jaw fracture, cheek bone fracture, broken teeth, neck fracture, broken roof of his mouth, multiple lacerations, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and increased intracranial pressure needing a shunt
Brooke has very limited, if any, memories from the early times. He found that it was more traumatic for his family going through watching him be so hurt.
The accident brought his family closer together
The support of his family really helped him get through it all
It took years to get back to being completely independent
He struggled with fatigue and depression post injury
Sleep’s connection to depression: Too little or too much can contribute to it
Brooke has become a runner post injury
Finding your new self post injury.
For Brooke, before his injury he was a university student who’s drinking was a big part of his life
Post injury he had to find a new identity
Alcohol post injury
Tolerances can be changed because of your injury or medications you are on
Considering the ‘why’ you are drinking is important.
Some can tolerate alcohol still. Having a brain injury doesn’t have to mean you can’t have alcohol at all. It just requires awareness and being smart about it.
Life after injury
Brooke started public speaking
His injury gave him confidence to develop a new skill and he started speaking at events about his experience
Headway in Scarborough
Safe Drive Stay Alive
A powerful show 17-18 year old students go to with music, pyrotechnics, and road safety education
Brooke writes for an online information center for people with serious injuries at CFG Law (link below)
Brooke used running to initially help get him out of depression
He raises money for charity and has run multiple races
Podcasts by Brooke: Brain Injury Bites and Life with No Filter (links below)
Links to any resources mentioned:
Brain Injury Bites podcast
Blogs by Brooke on CFG Law along with blogs by others
Life with No Filter podcast
Reach out to:
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The Headache Nutritionist: https://www.headachenutritionist.com/
Free webinar, Say Goodbye to Persistent headaches: www.headacheshandled.com/training
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