I often hear people who've suffered brain injuries tell people they are a 'brain injury survivor'.  Good for them, however, I tell people "I AM" a brain injury! I suppose I'm different than most, in that I had no medical or psychological followup.
      At the time I was living in southern California.  After passing out from claustrophobia in the middle of a crowd waiting to see Moody Blues and Jefferson Airplane (and a seizure, I was told), a visit to the emergency room to have my head sewn up with over 30 stitches (still can feel that "y" on the back of my head), and a few days in the hospital, I was released. Shortly after that, California had a huge earthquake and I headed back to the midwest.
      No one at home knew anything about it. I knew; it was something I never talked about. I knew I was a different person; it was obvious. In my youth I was very insecure, quiet and uneasy about expressing myself; after my brain injury I seemed to have no filter and still have difficulty with that. People around me had no idea and often bullied me with their candid comments, without even knowing about my brain injury. 
      The only reason I've been opening up about it lately is because friends from my past, and even my ex have suffered brain injuries recently. There are such epiphanies that have come out of this - not just for me, but for those who have always loved me  (including ex and daughter) and just accepted that I was 'an odd duck'! Brain injuries have many 'shades of grey', yet so similar on some levels.
      I have been able to understand empathize with these people. I'm years into adapting to 'a new me'. I am finding this journey to be a lifetime one.