Survivor Shares Her Story, Inspires Others During Brain Injury Awareness Month

WOOD COUNTY, OK — In March 2025, during Brain Injury Awareness Month, Sarah Hudson Pierce shared her powerful story of resilience and the importance of awareness surrounding brain injuries. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has run campaigns for over thirty years, promoting educational initiatives to inform the public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of affected individuals and their families.

Pierce’s journey began with a profound personal loss. At the age of two, her mother fell into a coma after a tragic accident, an experience that would shape Pierce’s life and mission to raise awareness. ‘I shall never forget when I first became aware of just how important it is that I share my story,’ she stated, reflecting on her mother’s struggle during the family’s time in Oklahoma’s Land Rush in 1908.

Her story first resonated with an audience at a Christian writer’s conference in 2010. After sharing it, a young woman approached her, expressing gratitude for her narrative and sharing her own experience with a disabled daughter. ‘It helps knowing someone else has experienced what you are going through,’ the woman said, underscoring the healing power of shared experiences.

Reflecting on her mother’s life, Pierce turned back to memories of poverty and social stigma. ‘Children can be cruel,’ she recalled, recounting the taunts and stares they endured due to their circumstances. ‘What happens to someone else can just as easily happen to you,’ she warned, emphasizing the fragility of life and the need for compassion.

Pierce stressed the transformative power of story-sharing, stating, ‘Sometimes just hearing someone else’s story gives us the courage to go on.’ She believes that sharing these narratives helps lift others from despair and leads to brighter days. Citing a powerful metaphor, she remarked, ‘We are all angels flying with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.’

With Brain Injury Awareness Month highlighting the experiences of those affected by brain injuries, Pierce’s story serves as a reminder that advocacy extends beyond awareness. Her story encourages open dialogue and support for those navigating similar hardships, fostering a community of hope and resilience.

‘Whatever happens to us can be a tool we can use to lift others,’ Pierce concluded, embodying the spirit of advocacy and the importance of empathy in facing life’s challenges.