I was a second class cadet at the United States Air Force Academy when, like the others, I received a Tramatic Brain Injury. I was with a best friend of mine, Doug Greenleaf, who wasn't so lucky. He was killed in the crash. They expected me to die along with him, but I guess I was lucky enough not to have sustained such life theatening injuries.

At the time, I was working the Assult Course which is a part of basic cadet training during the summer months. The doctors accredit my survival to being in such tremendous shape because before my injury, I was a division 1 college basketball athlete.

I really can't remeber that summer of my accident because of my head trama. I really felt sorry for myself because of the injuries I've sustained seemed at the time to be so great. Now amost 3 and a half years since my accident I am doing so much better.

One of my neurologists after glancing at my EEG and MRI and whatever else they took of my brain, said that I was a miracle. Even he, like the others, felt that it must have been a miracle for my survival. At first I felt that maybe they must have read it wrong, you know, my brain scan, but who am I kidding! Now I realize I am a miracle. Everything I am currently feeing, they say it is natural part of going through a tramatic brain injury. They, the doctors and therapists, were concerned about my thoughts on suicide. I guess many people who suffered TBI's commit suicide. I'm glad to say that I'm not one of them!

As my father stated about feeling sorry for yourself, "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet." As I read more and more about what everyone's gone through and how everyone's injuries differ, I don't feel sorry for myself as much. In fact I say to myself, "myself, who are you to feel sorry for yourself. You can walk, talk, carry on an educated conversation, and your starting back to school. Just how many TBI's are doing that?"

I guess I have alot to learn. I'm glad I found this TBI area on the internet.

I have to get going. I see you people latter.
Donny
-former USAFA class of '96