As I pace the floors and slide my smooth soft
Fur along the wall,
I notice humans outside.
They always have these furry animals with them.
The furry thing makes loud noises or jumps around. Some have long tongues whereas mine
Is so small. Some are so small I just wonder, would they play?
I wonder why I am always in this big place that David calls house.
I play hide and seek and lay in his lap.
Does he think I cannot visit those big animals?
I know one day I will pop out and take an adventure and come right back in the house.
 
I am out! It is hot. Something is making my hair itch.
The air is different and all this green stuff with little creatures. Oops! I think one bit me.
Red! What is this on my paws? Georgia Red Clay is all around me.
The color seems to stay on my paws and my tongue will not clean them.
This green area here has so many small and large creatures.
 
Oh, I do not know where David is now,
How do I get home?
Through this fence where I came from will get me home.
I am hungry.
No! I do not recognize these rough rocks.
I tried; it is time for bed, but my soft bed is not here.
I know sleep and I will be able to get food tomorrow.
 
Another day and rain- Rain, I think they call it because I am so cold.
Where am I?
I do not know and I will stay ‘til I figure out what is next.
Food? Where?
Prrrrrrr Prrrrr- as a Lion with anger.
I will never leave home to find these strange animals again.
Isn’t anyone looking for me?
No food, help!
Curiosity is not good if you cannot understand how to get home.
Prrr Prrr
Home! Home!
 
What’s this? A human hand?
I do not know it but I am going!
Going up in the air to a human body.
Warm but I do not know them. I wonder if they know David.
Oh prrr prrr like a small cat.
 
Oh hello! Hello!
I am home again. Food and water and the wonderful air.
Prrr. Prrr. Love is all around me.
I am home and I am home.
I know what it is like out there, but I will stay here,
Where I belong,
And enjoy the love in my home.
 
Inspired by the Cat
Written by Deborah Marie Krupp 8/15/2015

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… TBI does not mean your life is over! It can be difficult, but it IS manageable with the right help! While healing takes time, it is a realistic and achievable goal.
 
I find that my TBI has resulted in an increased response to certain things, so I can be very easily distracted or stressed out by something that might not bother anyone else. It’s also a lot harder to focus than it was before. My assistant tells me that working with me is like working with a person with severe ADHD, who happens to be unmedicated.
 
But these are things that are manageable. Yes, it took me a long time to get to where I am now, but with help from the right doctors I learned the importance of Brain Plasticity.
 
Shortly after my TBI occurred, I could barely count to 10, and I had to leave my job as a successful engineer and project manager. Now I am a successful artist. I started Gemassist Brain Awareness Foundation to help others, and I can even drive myself places again, something that was not possible for a long time.
 
Brain Injury is an invisible illness. A lot of people don’t know my story until I share it with them. They may just think I’m a bit eccentric. But as a TBI survivor, I know the fear of “what’s next?” first hand, and I can guarantee you that it’s not all bad.
 
Take one day at a time, one step at a time. Sometimes we go back, sometimes we go forward, but always remember that if we don’t work that brain muscle, we’ll never make any progress. So get out there and try something new today!

Deborah Marie is available for additional media opportunities, including podcasts, written articles, speaking engagements, and video testimonials. Learn more about the non-profit foundation she started at www.Gemassist.org. 
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