Living with Traumatic Brain Injury: My Journey from Survival to Advocacy

My name is Craig Sears, and I am a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor. My journey has been one marked by misdiagnosis, systemic injustice, and a relentless fight for disability rights—a path defined by survival, advocacy, and an ongoing battle for reform.

Living with a traumatic brain injury has meant facing isolation, misunderstanding, and continuous struggle. I share my experiences to highlight the profound effects TBI has on individuals and their families, while also exposing the systemic prejudices entrenched in our medical, legal, and social systems. My story is one of overcoming the odds, confronting injustices, and committing myself to advocacy so others facing similar challenges know they are not alone.

One summer afternoon in Connecticut, when I was just 20 years old, my life changed forever. I was living what many would call the American Dream—steady work, a loving family, good friends, and a bright future. Then, a motorcycle accident left me with a severe head injury, plunging me into months of coma, surgery, and grueling physical recovery. What wasn’t immediately recognized was the true extent of the damage: a traumatic brain injury that would shape every aspect of my future and set me on an unexpected path from survival to advocacy.

Despite clear signs, my TBI went undiagnosed for months. I had to relearn how to walk, talk, and care for myself, all while enduring constant pain and confusion. Instead of receiving the specialized support I desperately needed, I was transferred to a locked mental health ward—a facility designed for psychiatric care, not brain injury rehabilitation. For nine months, I fought for my freedom and my identity, battling a system that did not understand my condition. Even after my release, I faced isolation, unsafe housing, and daily struggles to reclaim basic skills many take for granted.

The widespread misunderstanding of TBI in the medical community and the public led to repeated misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, and deep prejudice. My speech and balance were affected, but instead of compassion, I encountered suspicion and discrimination. Police officers and courts misinterpreted my symptoms and circumstances, leading to unjust arrests and institutionalization for minor offenses. The system failed to recognize my brain injury and instead criminalized my disability.

This cycle of injustice trapped me repeatedly. I was arrested and institutionalized multiple times for behaviors stemming from my TBI. The criminal justice and mental health systems offered punishment rather than help. I endured abuse and neglect—from being attacked by police dogs to being restrained and drugged in mental institutions and prisons. Sadly, my experiences reflect those of many TBI survivors who fall through systemic cracks and face harsh consequences for actions beyond their control.

Despite these hardships, I refused to give up. With unwavering support from my family, I gradually rebuilt my life and found my purpose in advocacy. I joined a class action lawsuit that resulted in the creation of the Connecticut Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) waiver—a groundbreaking program that provides community-based support for people with TBI instead of institutionalization. This victory proved that systemic change is possible when survivors raise their voices and fight back.

However, my struggles with the justice system did not end there. I was falsely accused, set up, and framed by law enforcement. Fabricated evidence and concealed misconduct became recurring themes in my life. Even when charges were dropped, records hidden, and accountability evaded, legal loopholes such as the Nolle prosequi legislation often worked against justice.

To combat this, I have maintained a thorough paper trail—documenting court records and evidence of police and judicial misconduct. I have shared my experiences with advocates and policymakers at both state and national levels to demand meaningful change and protect others from similar abuses.

No two brain injuries are alike, nor are the journeys of those who survive them. Yet, what unites us all is the need for understanding, support, and justice. My path from survival to advocacy has taught me the power of personal stories—they expose systemic failures, challenge injustice, and open pathways for reform. This is why I continue to share my experiences and fight for change.

To fellow survivors—past, present, and future—I say: never give up hope. You are not alone. We must keep raising our voices, demanding accountability, and working toward a system that recognizes, supports, and respects the dignity of every individual living with a brain injury.

As the saying goes, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

To learn more, explore my experiences with law enforcement corruption and disability justice in Connecticut. Just click on my name next to my photo and check out my post.

or see my posts on LinkedIn. I am a disability justice advocate, focusing on ABI waiver and criminal justice reform, and I am also a TBI survivor.