My Concussion Story: The Setbacks No One Sees

I never imagined that a head injury in November 2023 would completely change the trajectory of my life. I fell off my bike on campus on cement while colliding with a pedestrian.

What started as multiple head injuries turned into persistent post-concussive syndrome. At first, I believed recovery would be linear — rest, treatment, gradual improvement. But concussion recovery is rarely that simple. However also during this time I was dismissed by my family physician to take Tylenol, and I had to write my own medical accommodation letter as my doctor refused and it took a year to get access to a neurologist which is why I went to Korea in September 2024 to talk to a neurologist and get proper medication after withstanding daily pain.

In February 2024, I sustained a whiplash injury during physical activity, which aggravated my symptoms. Just as I was trying to regain stability, I was assaulted in December 2024 by an intoxicated individual. That incident significantly regressed months of progress.

Recovery began to feel fragile.

Then in August 2025, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. That accident marked a major turning point. My symptoms intensified in ways I hadn’t experienced before. I began waking up every morning with migraines. Not occasional headaches — daily migraines. I experienced chronic nausea, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, neurological fatigue, and cognitive slowing. Simple things like screen exposure, reading, or sitting in a bright lecture hall became overwhelming.

Despite this, I tried to push through.

For nearly three months, I attended classes while in pain. I would sit in lectures with migraines and then go home needing immediate rest. The lights and noise would intensify my symptoms. Looking at a computer screen too long would trigger nausea and worsen my headaches. Studying required significantly more effort, and my concentration, memory, and processing speed declined.

I kept thinking, If I just try harder, I can manage this.

But concussion recovery does not respond to willpower.

Over time, my cognitive stamina dropped. Tasks that once felt manageable became neurologically exhausting. I wasn’t just tired — I was depleted in a way that felt cellular. Pushing through wasn’t helping. It was making things worse.

Eventually, after consulting with my healthcare providers, I was advised to halt my studies to prevent further neurological deterioration and allow my brain to stabilize. Withdrawing from my courses was not an easy decision. It felt like loss — loss of routine, momentum, identity. But it was medically necessary.

I have decided to take an extended break for once as I have been taking semesters off due to my anxiety of missing school, however now I know to prioritize my health. I can go back by January next year without reapplying so I will be taking a break and in rehab until then and also visiting my home country for comfort, solace and faster and more accessible medications and treatment.

Throughout this time, I have been deeply engaged in treatment: vestibular therapy, vision therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, Botox treatments, and ongoing neurological management. Recovery has been active, intentional, and layered. But healing from repeated concussions and compounded trauma takes time.

What I’ve learned is this: Concussion recovery is not linear.

Setbacks do not mean failure.

And sometimes the bravest decision is stepping back.

If you are navigating post-concussive syndrome, especially after multiple setbacks, know that you are not weak for needing rest. You are not behind. You are not alone.

Recovery is not about pushing through pain. It’s about respecting your brain.

And I am still here — healing, learning, and sharing.

-Chloe Kim

Founder

MABS Network BC