Neurotrauma Program

In 2004, Val was completing an internship to achieve her career goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. Just 6 weeks before graduation, a startled patient inadvertently pushed her into a structural column causing her to hit her head. Following the incident, she was seen immediately by an Emergency Department doctor who treated her for symptoms of whiplash. Val knew something was not right and sought follow-up care with her Primary Care Physician, who scheduled her for an MRI. Two days before the MRI, a brain clot, which formed due to the head injury, caused Val to experience her first major stroke.

This stroke began a long rehabilitation journey for which Val feels very fortunate to have had the much-needed support of family, friends, medical providers, and other health professionals. In addition to her support system, Val has empowered herself by using her nursing background to research different therapies, advocate for treatments, and fully engage in her healing. While several transient ischemic attacks over the years and have dealt setbacks to Val’s rehabilitation, she rises to meet each challenge by staying active in managing her care and treatments, participating in support groups, being the lead organizer for the support group Hui Malama Po’o, and serving on the Neurotrauma Board to advocate for others living with disabilities.