My name is Emily Ulmer and some people would say it is miracle that I am sitting here typing to you. “If she comes out of this she will most likely be a vegetable,” doctors told my parents when I was 14. They continued, “She will probably never talk, walk or think for herself ever again.”  The uncertainty went on for 3 months. That is how long I laid in a coma. I was in a car accident. I had just entered my freshman year of high school. I was so excited to start my new journey. It was the next level of womanhood for me. Boys, Dates with boys, gossip with my girlfriends about boys, and oh, did I mention…boys boys boys. Unfortunately, my new high school journey was a short one and I was about to embark on a whole new unwilling journey that I never planned or even saw coming.

Tragedy and Loss

My best friends brother was driving me and three of my friends home from school. It was the Friday that ended our first week of high school. On our way home we were broadsided by a semi-gravel truck. I never could remember any of the accident and it even washed away my memories of the one week I had as an excited freshman. Sadly, the accident took something else from us; Ryan, the driver of our vehicle died on impact. To this day, I have gone through all kinds of trials, hardships, therapy, rehab and recovery, but it was all so easy compared to the heartbreak of losing my friend.

People ask me about my accident all the time. I don’t mind talking about it, I understand that people have a natural curiosity as to what happened to me and why I am the way that I am. It is kind of awkward for me because I don’t have many answers to cure their curiosity. I have no memory of the accident. When I woke up from my coma I thought I was still in 8th grade.  The knowledge I have of my accident is regurgitated stories that I have heard from family and friends. I just know that when I look at my injuries everyday in the mirror they serve as the answers to so many of their unanswerable questions.

My Injuries

The injuries I received in the accident will be with me for the rest of my life. I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (a.k.a. TBI, hence the name TBI MOM), shattered left femur (The hardest bone in your body to break), fractured vertebrae and so many other injuries that I can’t list them all. Some injuries you can see physically and some you cannot. It is my invisible injury (TBI) that is the hardest to deal with. People don’t understand it if they can’t see it.

Me Today

It has been a long hard road since my accident. I have overcome so many obstacles along the way. I have defied all odds. When they said there is no way, my sassy self said yes I can and I will. I give the credit to family and friends who helped, prayed and cheered for me through my recovery. I have had the best physical therapists, occupational therapist, speech therapists, Pilates instructors, teachers / student aids, doctors, nurses and so many other people who helped me recover. Most importantly I could not have done it without my faith in God. He gave me the patience, strength and optimism to keep going.

On January 21st 2012, I was lucky enough to marry the love of my life. My husband Joe is my rock. He supports me through and through and for that I am forever grateful. Four years later on January 21st 2016 our first child Liam was born. Liam is the best wedding anniversary gift Joe and I have ever received.

My Mission

I know there are millions of people around the world who have tragically suffered traumatic brain injuries. I want to help as many people as I can through their journey of coping, understanding and recovery. I not only survived when they said I wouldn’t but I have worked everyday of my life since the accident to get stronger, smarter and wiser so that I could be an inspiration, beacon of hope and a friend to those struggling with their circumstance. I want this blog to be your source for a smile, a happy tear, crutch when you need support and place to feel safe. Never will you cross paths with negativity or hatred at tbimom.com you will be greeted with stories that are funny, emotional and inspiring. It is my hope that you will join me on this new journey of mine.