My Inner Barbie

Being a TBI survivor often feels soooooo serious. But life doesn’t have to be heavy all the time. Sometimes, you’ve just got to lighten it up!

Today, I’m embracing my inner Barbie!

As a little girl, I remember sneaking into my mom’s closet. Like many other kids, I’d try on her high heels and favorite outfits. Then I’d move on to the bathroom and inexpertly apply her makeup. I’m sure you can picture it perfectly!

Now, as a grown woman, I no longer need to sneak around—but I still want to reclaim that sense of play. So why not throw on some of my favorite jewelry and a fun outfit? I’m calling it my Barbie Day!

Silly? Sure! But even though a brain injury is lifelong, it’s still okay—and good—to have a little fun.

This reminds me of one of my earliest neurorehabilitation exercises after my TBI. Believe it or not, it was a simple game of hopscotch. You know the one: a chalk-drawn board with alternating one and two squares, where you hop on one foot or two, depending on the pattern.

At first, I just froze. I couldn’t comprehend switching from one foot to two or back again—I got stuck. Such a simple game that young children play with ease… and it was like I’d never seen it before in my life.

But with persistence and neurorehabilitation, I learned to play hopscotch again! Yes, it took me several weeks—but who’s counting? Now I can walk, play hopscotch, drive... whatever I like!

So don’t forget how important play is in your everyday life. Just because you have a brain injury doesn’t mean you can’t have fun now and then. Maybe I’ll even go turn on the Barbie movie while I'm at it!

Have fun today and every day!