How a brain injury made me smarter: Ann Zuccardy at TEDxPhoenixville

Ann Zuccardy offers candid, witty conversation about life's challenging moments and meeting them with creativity and humor. She provides insights gleaned from her personal struggle after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed her life.

A professional writer for nearly three decades, Ann writes for technical publications, social media, and corporate communications clients. Her work appears in Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers and in many magazines, newsletters, and blogs. She is writing a book about her TBI experience: "A Brain Rebooted: Creating New Pathways for Life and Business."

Ann shares her story about the trials and tribulations of reinventing her life after her injury and discovering hidden surprises about intelligence and creativity.

TEDxPhoenixville, the first TEDx event in the Philadelphia region, celebrates the creative, innovative and inspiring work happening right here and all around the world. Our objective is to present thought-provoking ideas via an annual day-long event featuring compelling speakers and performers.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Camera Operators:
Bob Sweeney
Joel Rickenbach

[beverlydhillpolmann]

I recommend anyone with a TBI watch this

[stifledmind]

When I was in 7th grade I fell off a truck and hit my head on the pavement. My eardrum immediately burst and before anyone realized what was going on I was laying in a pool of my own blood. My friends ran to my front-door in a panic and were screaming for my mom to tell her, "her son is dead". I regained consciousness in the hospital that night, but I was blind and deaf. I only know of this moment because I was screaming "if anyone was there", "what's going on", "why is everything white", etc. Apparently they had to sedate me because they couldn't pacify me -- but I remember these events. Thankfully, I regained my vision and most of my hearing the next day. It took me a few weeks before I could walk without a walker and somewhat like Ann, it took me 6 months before I could confidently walk down a flight of stairs.

Before this accident I was a "gifted" child. Years ahead of my peers. I could pay 5% attention and retain everything. 99.99 percentile on standardized tests. They wanted to advance me, but I had a twin sister I didn't want to leave behind. I was also severely depressed and suicidal. I had journals of my thoughts and the rabbit holes I would find myself trapped in worrying about hypotheticals. I saw specialists 2-3 times a week to no avail. But after my accident, I was happy. My depression had evaporated and my temperament/angry issues along with it.

Now I'm still intelligent by most peoples benchmarks, but I'm a shadow of my former self -- and I'm better for it. Although it doesn't impact my day-to-day much, I still find myself grasping for something that isn't there. I can often arrive at the right answer without the ability to explain how or why. I also require more rest than most. If I want to be at my peak, I require about 10-12 hours of sleep. Still, in a messed up way, the accident was the best thing that ever happened to me.

[luizbattistel]

This is exactly what I needed to watch after falling from my bike and banging my head against the asphalt. What an inspiring talk!!

[paulasiddens]

I’m a little over 3 years post TBI. I’ve been told I should do TED talks by a few people who have seen me give presentations. Not necessarily about my TBI, but anything I feel passionate about. I feel passionate about educating people on TBI’s. I was a sergeant with the California Highway Patrol when my bike accident happened. Law enforcement personnel have a high resiliency. But, I, like you, feel my resiliency is innate. As well as my independence. I also appreciate your explanation of intelligence. There are many types of intelligence. Congrats on your recovery and your TED talk!

[mommabird]

We look fine so most people think we are faking, I wish they could live a day in a TBI persons life.

[themom]

Being smart isn't knowing the answer, but being able to find the answer.

[lbjsweetp]

I just like you, only 7 years later. I've suffered such anger and depression over losing the original me. I hated myself and didn't understand why I survived the car crash with no visible trauma, till I went to communicate. I no longer was able to hold an intelligent conversation or impress anyone. But now, with the help of my wonderful husband, great therapist and good medication, I know that I am meant to be an advocate. I was a nursing patient advocate before, I can change gears and speak for people like me who can't speak for themselves. I may need to rest, not be as eloquent, an get flustered but I will get our point across. And my time is now! Thanks for your guts to do your presentation I cried the whole way through, that's a good thing.

[darcyandrews]

Very severe TBI survivor here. This video is great. Things do improve guys, stay strong.

[cessilyschwa]

Along with you, I suffer from a brain injury where I use to feel smart and had a hard time dealing with. I thank you for your words are encouraging 

[YFZriderdude]

She discovered and shared insight into why she was still smart, and she grew as a person because of it. It was apparent that she eventually learned to manage her symptoms and overcome the debilitating realization of her permanent condition. I suffered a TBI awhile ago, and I truly think I am a better person, emotionally speaking, because if it. Am I physically superior? No. Am I, in a certain way, smarter? Absolutely. That is not wishful thinking. I have managed to overcome the absolute hell that is TBI. I have developed and eventually found the discipline needed to implement the compensatory strategies necessary to still enjoy and get the most out of my life in my new reality."Creative adaptive mechanisms make us smart."We grow as people when we are confronted with new situations and succeed in adjusting to them, especially when they are very difficult to adjust to.This is what "creative adaptive mechanisms" are. This is what makes us smart. This is her new, uplifting insight.

[Usernotfounddd]

Does anyone get judged for looking very normal while being seriously injured leave a like! My biggest pet peeve so far while being injured. It’s been 4 years now September 8 2017😢

[earFront]

It was good to hear her story, and be reminded that others suffer from a TBI situation too.

I don't feel quite as alone with this TBI of mine. It's tragic anyone suffers from such stuff, but, we all know many people do. It's really how you deal with the rest of the life that you have to live, that makes it worthwhile or not. Be kind to yourself and it will go easier for you.

[SusanFitzell]

I applaud your courage in doing a TedxTalk. I'm marveling at how you remembered everything you wanted to say even though you have short term memory issues. Your message is so important to so many. Looking at all the comments on this video it's clear your words resonated and made a difference for so many. You inspire me.

[donnaedwards]

For once I feel like I'm not alone. Someone has expressed what my brain seems to keep me from doing well any longer. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[jordangould]

Has anyone else had a TBI with the inability to express themselves through language the way they did before? Like even though it looks like my writing makes sense, I used to be much better at articulating thoughts into words. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[shelleythomas]

Thank you for this it’s helped me a great deal. I had a brain injury neck and spinal injury from a head on crash!! I felt so much like she mentioned, it changed my life! I still struggle constant headaches seizures and neck pain! I just have to shut down so many days a month. But, I’m smarter in so many ways than before it’s taken me 10 years to be somewhat faster!! My 3rd eye is wide open and it was shut before! Even though my sight that I see with completely changed.

[InvinciblePepe]

My injury was moderate when I was a toddler. Apart from this injury, I also suffered multiple mild injuries in my childhood. I didn't lose consciousness right after any injury but I suffer many symptoms like brain fog, speech problems, mood swings, confusion, short term memory problems and sleep issues till date. Now I'm 19.
Is there any hope for me to recover?

[Macksacco]

My son fainted and fell in a gym shower, badly damaging his brain. This help me understand some of his current struggles. Thank you for sharing.

[lindaholden]

Thank you so much for sharing....it's a year after my accident. I too was told to go home and completely rest my brain, I too fell (with the help of a large donkey) but hit the back of my head full force on concrete, I too feel depressed because I prided myself on being smart. This was so helpful for me to hear because i often beat myself up as i only 'fell in my backyard". My whole life is i try to look at the blessings every day....some days are a little hard but i wanted to say thank you...your sharing has made those things that plague me seem a little less bad because we are not alone. Thank you. And i'm so sorry for all you go though..i know exactly how you feel.

[teresachang]

I applaud your courage for telling your story, your vulnerability, and your inspiration for so many others!