Friendships are a cornerstone of our lives, but what happens when a concussion changes how we connect with others? In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, Bethany Lewis welcomes back Thea James, MSLP, a passionate advocate for brain injury awareness and a survivor of multiple concussions. With her warm and open-hearted approach, Thea offers invaluable insights into how concussions impact friendships—both old and new—and how to navigate these relationships with grace, vulnerability, and self-compassion. Thea shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, advocating for needs, and finding joy in new kinds of relationships—including unexpected bonds with older neighbors. She also reflects on the importance of vulnerability, the pitfalls of people-pleasing, and how to show up authentically in friendships, even when capacity is limited. Whether you're a concussion survivor or someone supporting a loved one, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and real-life examples of how to nurture connections through the ups and downs of recovery.

Resources Mentioned:

• Thea’s Previous Episodes:

• • Episode 52: Thea’s personal concussion journey

  • Episode 66: Thea interviews Bethany about her work in the concussion space

• Bethany’s Concussion Coaching Program:

• • Free consultation sign-up: www.theconcussioncoach.com

• Book Reference:

• • The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown (mentioned in the context of deepening friendships)

• Key Takeaways:

• • For Survivors: Set alarms (e.g., with a star emoji) to check in with your capacity during social interactions.

  • For Friends/Family: Meet loved ones where they are—trust their needs (e.g., quieter environments) without requiring explanations.

  • New Connections: Seek low-stimulus, consistent touchpoints (e.g., volunteering) to build friendships at your own pace.

Free Guide To Supporting Your Loved One With Concussion:

• www.theconcussioncoach.com

Contact Thea:

You can hear more from Thea on Instagram at YourBrainBFF or email her at hello@yourbrainbff.com

Final Thought: As Thea reminds us, friendship after brain injury might look different, but it can still be deeply fulfilling. Whether it’s embracing slower-paced connections or learning to ask for help, the journey is about honoring your limits while staying open to the love and support around you.

If you would like to sign up for a free concussion coaching consultation with me to learn how you can speed up your recovery and get your life back following a concussion, go to my website, www.theconcussioncoach.com, or click on this link: https://theconcussioncoach.com/contact

Host: Cristabelle Braden

Guest: Bethany Lewis (Neurological Occupational Therapist & Certified Life Coach)

Episode Summary:

After a brain injury, one of the most profound challenges survivors and families face is the shift in identity. Who am I now? How do I reconcile the person I was with the person I’ve become? In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, Cristabelle and Bethany Lewis explore the emotional, cognitive, and relational impacts of identity changes after brain injury. They discuss why it’s natural to feel defined by your injury, how to navigate grief, and practical strategies for rediscovering—or redefining—your sense of self.

Whether you're a survivor, family member, or professional, this episode offers validation, hope, and actionable steps to move forward with resilience.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Why Identity Shifts Happen After Brain Injury

2. • The sudden vs. gradual nature of change

   • How abilities, roles, and relationships are disrupted

   • The emotional toll of feeling "not yourself

• 2. Common Identity Struggles

• 1. • Personality changes (irritability, emotional regulation)

     • Loss of interests, taste, or spiritual connection

     • Feeling disconnected from your body (depersonalization)

• 3. For Survivors: Rebuilding Identity

• 1. • Separating yourself from the injury ("I am not my diagnosis")

     • The power of language & reframing beliefs

• 4. For Families & Caregivers

• 1. • How to support your loved one without losing yourself

     • Managing resentment & unmet needs

     • Accepting the "new normal" while holding space for grief

• 5. Faith, Purpose & Moving Forward

• 1. • Finding meaning in the journey

     • The role of spirituality in identity

     • Embracing the "now and not yet" of recovery

  
  

  Free Resources Mentioned:

  📝 Journaling Prompts for Identity After Injury👉 Download Here

  👨‍👩‍👧 Guide for Families: "Family Identity After Injury"👉 Download Here

  Connect with Bethany Lewis:

  • Download your free guide: 5 Ways to Best Support Your Loved One Dealing with Concussion: theconcussioncoach.com

    
    

    Join the Hope Survives Community:

  • Support Groups: Hope for Families, Hope for Couples, Found Connection (for isolated survivors), Renewed by Faith (faith-based group), & more!

  • Brain Injury Bible Study: Ongoing virtual meetings👉 Learn More at hopesurvives.org

  Final Thought:

  "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." —Joseph Campbell

  You are not alone. There is always hope. 💛

  #HopeSurvives #BrainInjury #TBIRecovery #IdentityAfterInjury #YouAreNotAlone

  
  

Patti Andrich, OTR/L, COVT is a clinical manager, business owner, occupational therapist, and certified optometric vision therapist. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in treating sensory and motor processing disorders in both children and adults. Named Vision Therapist of the Year in 2020, Patti holds a master's degree from Ohio State University and an occupational therapy degree from Cleveland State University. She is certified in auditory processing, INPP-permitted reflex integration techniques, and vision therapy. Patti is the founder of the Sensory Foundations Program, a neurosensory motor program designed to integrate primitive reflexes and improve postural stability. She specializes in helping individuals with attention, behavioral, coordination, visual, auditory, vestibular, and emotional regulation challenges.

In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis and co-host Kaylee Blair sit down with Patti Andrich to explore the critical role of primitive reflexes in brain injury recovery. Patti shares her journey from struggling with undiagnosed vision issues to becoming a leading expert in reflex integration and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. She explains how primitive reflexes act as neurological "codes" that, when disrupted by brain injury, can lead to symptoms like emotional dysregulation, balance issues, and sensory overload.

Patti dives into practical strategies for reintegrating these reflexes, including movement exercises, visualization techniques, and sensory stimulation. She also highlights the importance of a team approach, involving neuro-optometrists, OTs, and other specialists, to restore optimal brain function. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how vision, reflexes, and sensory processing interconnect—and how addressing these foundational systems can accelerate recovery.

Resources Mentioned:

• Patti’s Website: sensoryfocus.com

• Work Email: info@sensoryfocus.com

• Book: Indicators of Primitive and Postural Reflexes by Patti Andrich

• Neuro-Optometric Resources:

• • COVD.ORG (College of Optometrists in Vision Development)

  • NORA Vision Rehab (Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association)

Contact info:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patti-andrich-2298a3134

• Instagram: @thevisiondevelopmentteam

  
  

If you would like to sign up for a free concussion coaching consultation with me to learn how you can understand and manage your symptoms, speed up your recovery, and get your life back following a concussion, click here: ⁠https://theconcussioncoach.com/contact