Mike

Mike had hoped to be a military “lifer.” He enlisted in the Army at age 18 after graduating from high school. He thrived in service and loved his work in an Army special operations unit. Following several concussions, and two confirmed TBIs sustained during IED blasts while serving in Afghanistan in 2012 and 2013, Mike officially retired from military service in 2014 at the suggestion of his commanding officer who did not want him to end up as “scatter-brained” as he was. He had served six years.

Upon returning home, Mike felt lost and says he didn’t know what to do with himself and felt that he had lost the ability to do something he loved. He floated around for a few months “couch surfing” with friends before taking a job at a lumber company. Mike now lives in his own apartment, and while continuing to work at the lumber company, is studying to become an EMT, which he says is a struggle with his condition.

Mike describes difficulties stemming from his injuries including issues with memory, constantly second guessing himself, and symptoms of PTSD. He also struggles with the stigma associated with returning military veterans and public perception of TBI and PTSD, finding it difficult to fit into a society where he feels he is “seen as a monster.” He encourages his family and others to talk to him about his experiences overseas. “If you’ve got a question about something, come to me and ask.”

To cope with the symptoms of his injuries and the stressors of reintegrating into society after his military service, Mike focuses on keeping busy with hobbies like hunting and fishing and works to “keep his mind off the bad stuff.” He uses his cell phone to keep track of his schedule and writes things down multiples times posting them in various places like his home and his car. To others struggling with symptoms of concussion and TBI, he acknowledges that it is going to be rough but that they have to just stick it out. “Just ride it out the best you can,” he says. “You’ll make it through.”