Becky's Story

"The unknown is the worst part," says Becky. "Not knowing if you're ever going to get better – if it's ever going to change, if you can ever get your old self back again."

A teacher for 18 years, Becky was teaching English in middle school when there was a fire drill on a cold Michigan winter day. She remembers the alarm going off, everyone evacuating the school, and then a large 6 ft tall male student forcefully kicked open a large metal door, and Becky was on the other side. She was struck in the head. She was taken immediately to the doctor's office, and they sent her straight to the emergency room at a local hospital. She thought of her son and wondered how she was going to take care of him, how long until she would be better, would she get better?

Becky suffered a traumatic brain injury and had post-concussion syndrome with a visual midline shift. She could not do anything independently, and she was an entirely different version of herself, and her fear and anxiety grew each day. She saw many providers – a neuro-ophthalmologist, neurologist, and optometrist specializing in vision therapy. She worked with a couple of providers, but she never felt like it was a fit or she was really being helped. Growing more frustrated, it wasn't until she arrived at Origami that she finally felt like someone understood what was happening, and she finally had hope!

Working with Origami's occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology – she began to see progress. She could finally cook, read, watch television, shower alone, and do almost anything! She was starting to feel like her old self more and more. "I didn't think I would ever get better – I really believed I wouldn't!"

Continuing with vocational therapy, Becky was able to return to teaching with some accommodations. Returning to the classroom again, teaching English in the special education setting – she was overcome with gratitude and happiness. Becky still struggles with neuro-fatigue and some memory issues, but she has come so far and continues to work to keep progressing.

"I am a teacher – it is my love – it is my passion. I am so grateful to Origami for giving me the hope, compassion, and tools to return to doing what I love. They gave me my life back!"