When you’re a trauma survivor regardless if your injuries are physical, mental, visible, or invisible everyday some new hurdle can pop up. You can’t wait for it to pass although the storm gets better in many ways a new storm is right behind. You have to learn to navigate your new norms and that may involve getting up your less severe bad days and dancing in the rain. Give yourself credit you have been through what would break most and you still get up. It might not be like it

Most survivors look fine on the outside, and many are unaware of what's happening on the inside. It takes a lof for a person to accept they need additional help or resources. Here is a list of resources you can contact for yourself or your loved one. Brain Injury Association of America. https://biausa.org You can find what support there is in your state on their website. Trauma Survivors Network. https://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org . They have Zoom meetings with survivors

Obtained my Masters Wrote and published a book Went home to visit family/friends Vacations with my love Many doctors' appointments Lots of testing Started on two new medications for dysautonomia Coming to terms that I have lifelong injuries while the person who hit me got out of jail I am still learning to navigate the ups and downs of my medical conditions. Six years have passed since my accident, and it's still difficult. Every day is a challenge. I ahve my down days, mean

2021 was the year it was all going to end!! I would finally be done with it all or so I thought. The picture was me accomplishing a hike on the anniversary of my accident where I was still awaiting the trial. I hit the top of that hill in Simi Valley, California and saw that cross and lost it. It marked two years of me fighting physically, mentally and emotionally. I still had not gone through the trial or been face to face with my assailant. To most people a small victory bu

You change after trauma. Some things are better, and some are works in progress. You feel like you stand out and aren’t the same, and that’s okay. You're right, you're not the same, and that's okay, embrace your changes. BE THE ODD DUCK AND EMBRACE IT!!! A saying I have said since the beginning. I can’t expect them to understand what I go through daily. People who haven’t been through what you have can’t possibly understand. Some days, my ducks are like a military lineup, and

“The future depends on what you do today” (Gandhi) Everyday can be a challenge. I understand that first hand. In my recovery my goal was even on my worst days to achieve something to move forward whether that be one more step, one more task in therapy, or even just getting out of bed something that I didn’t achieve the day before. Whether you are having a green, yellow or red day. Make the task small and celebrate your achievements!!!! You have been through so much to give yo

We often think we are prepared for emergencies, especially when our job is to care for others. Kaitlyn Daly spent 18 years as a registered nurse, helping patients navigate their health battles. But in 2019, the script was flipped. In a split second—caused by reckless teenagers fleeing law enforcement—Kaitlyn went from the caregiver to the patient. Her near-fatal motor vehicle collision forced her to confront a terrifying new reality. But instead of letting the darkness win, s

"In the blink of an eye, life can change." It is a terrifying thought, but it is also the starting point for one of the most inspiring narratives of the year. Kaitlyn Daly, a devoted single mother and Master’s degree candidate, faced the unthinkable when a car accident nearly took her life. Her survival wasn't just about physical recovery; it was about reclaiming her spirit. Her book, "In the blink of an eye: A story of resilience and survival,"  is a powerful message of hope

Trauma recovery is rarely a straight line. It is a complex maze of emotions, fear, and setbacks that can leave you feeling isolated. Whether you are a survivor yourself or a loved one trying to understand the pain of someone you care about, having a roadmap matters. Kaitlyn Daly’s new book, "In the blink of an eye,"  serves as that essential lifeline. Drawing from her personal experience surviving a near-fatal crash and her professional background as a nurse, Daly provides va