Please read Part 1, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 for context. Thank you.
For many years I experienced discouragement because of my inability to fit into a career that was based upon what the inventories, assessments and tests revealed to me. In addition — because I had no idea how my traumatic brain injury, deficits, limitations and invisible disability factored into my inability to be successful vocationally — I had a hard time accepting myself. Because I had a hard time accepting myself, I strove all the more.
Because I had a hard time accepting myself, I strove all the more to defend my denial, the denial of my family members and the denial of my friends.
In my experience, the unknown impact of my traumatic brain injury, the invisible nature of my disability, my inability to maintain gainful employment and my inability to accept myself all brought me to a place of surrender and acceptance. For further insight into my process, please read my series Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial.
In my experience, I had to do the work before I could move beyond my denial — to be able to accept myself. In my experience, I had to do the work before I could learn from my experience (s) — instead of feeling like a victim. Through accepting myself and learning from my experience (s), I discovered what I had been looking for all my life. I found a way to express my passion through my gifts, talents and abilities.
I discovered how to express what I always knew was inside of me.
Please read Part 3 for context. Thank you.
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