# @maddyforberg on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvj7ZH5AUiA
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/13377298-maddyforberg-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/089952f9ae.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-03-28T18:04:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Maddy Forberg (@maddyforberg) — https://gondola.cc/maddyforberg

## Caption

Phew. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and I’ve tried to write a post about it almost every day but couldn’t get through the lump in my throat over it, but here it is.
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This is my sister Tayler. She was hit by a car in our neighborhood while crossing the street riding her bike, 11 years old. Tayler looked both ways but unfortunately the view was blocked by a car parked on the side of the street. The car coming couldn’t have seen her either. Tayler wasn’t wearing a helmet.
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The only thing Tayler broke was her leg, but unfortunately had many infections, scarring road rash, ruptured her spleen, and her intracranial pressure was so great they had to temporarily take part of her skull out. She was in a coma for a month, but hospitalized for way way longer-and things were very touch and go for a while. We had many scary nights and close calls, my mom and I sleeping in the hospital bed next to her. (I was 5, my older brother 14.)
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We didn’t know if she would make it- and even so the chances for Tayler to be just FUNCTIONING were low. Her team, especially Dr.Ripley (in the second picture, now wearing my shirt- CHILLS!) saved her life and worked (still) tirelessly to get her where she is, I am grateful every day for them and Ripley (located in Chicago!), and for my mother who went back to school and has dedicated a career to now helping others like Tay.
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Recovery for Tayler is ongoing, (she’s 27 now!). As you can see in the first picture, Tayler had so much atrophy and weakness she couldn’t even hold her own head up (my mom is holding it up). Tayler has relearned EVERYTHING-how to walk/talk/feed herself etc. You guys think I’m strong- but nothing what I do comes even A LITTLE bit close to what she has done, and what TBI survivors do daily. 
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Tayler will always be my best friend, which I think you can tell from these pics of just how pure and funny and amazing she is.
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This is why awareness is so important. bia_usa slogan is #changeyourmind and is working to destigmatize TBI, and empower those who live with a TBI. Protect and inform your loved ones. Thank you for reading a bit of Taylers story. #tbiawareness #tbisurvivors #traumaticbraininjury

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 11,738
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## Tags

tbiawareness, changeyourmind, tbisurvivors, traumaticbraininjury

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