How one Veteran’s TBI recovery led her from coma to creative healing
TeleTBI helps veterans recover
After high school, Pamela Nee joined the Air National Guard. She served 25 years in the 193rd Special Operations Wing, was deployed in Operation Desert Storm, and then worked as a federal technician. During her service, she survived a serious car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
“I was in a coma for four days,” she said. “I had to learn to walk again.”
The recovery was long and she had to relearn how to process information and manage everyday tasks. She experienced migraines and constant symptoms. She credits her VA care team and TeleTBI for helping her recover.
Credit to the care team that cares
Through VA’s TeleTBI programNee was able to meet with her service providers VA Video ConnectVA secure video conferencing app, from the comfort of your home.
“I was fortunate enough to do telehealth visits with Dr. Mi-Hyun Cho,” she said. “She was very supportive and concerned about my physical, emotional and social well-being.”
Telehealth has made the connection to care easier. Regular virtual visits meant Nee could maintain consistent care without the burden of travel. Her healthcare provider asked about her health, work and family life – not just her symptoms.
That constant support made all the difference.
“My wonderful VA neurology team and recreational therapy team were knowledgeable, compassionate, encouraging and great listeners,” she said.
Finding strength in new ways
Nee’s recovery was not just medical. It was personal.
“My resilience through faith, family, friends and health care was key to my recovery,” she said. After retiring from the Air National Guard, she felt something was missing in her life.
“Retired veterans face a huge void after they leave the service,” she said.
She decided to get active. Through VA Recreational Therapy, she tried Guitars 4 Vets, horse therapy and Seeing Lens photography program. She also participated in WriteFace, a nonprofit program that provides free, guided writing workshops for veterans. Songwriting soon became her favorite medium.
“Eventually I found my voice,” she said. “I participated in VA activities to develop myself and find something I was missing.”
The complete picture of healing
Telehealth, neurological care and recreational therapy played a role in Neena’s journey. Together, they helped her move from survival to strength.
“The VA offers incredible resources to help you succeed,” she added.
For veterans living with TBI or other challenges, VA telehealth can be an easy way to stay connected and a powerful step toward healing.
Talk to your VA care team today to find out which virtual TBI care is available and which is right for you. To learn more about telehealth at the VA, visit VA Telehealth Services.
“Finding the Light in the Darkness” by Pamela Nee
The waves are knocking me over
Strike me like galloping white horses
The ocean begins to pull me under
Blindness covers my eyes
It finds every empty corner and hole that was once filled
It is now left open and empty
The water runs ice cold through my veins
The air breathes stale
My heart starts to slow down
Precious moments flash through my mind
Forgetting all lessons learned over time
Days filled with strife
I almost bled out from being cut with a knife
The sharks begin to circle
I want to thrash
Stay frozen in fear that I won’t be found
Not knowing how this will end
I don’t want to die
But sometimes I don’t know how to live
My soul is helpless and hollow
Before I sink below the surface\\
I’m sending a torch
Praying that YOU will be there
Even a spark in the darkness is important
The heartbeat of hope
Everyone should believe in something
Light finds a way to penetrate through the smallest cracks
We walk by sight rather than faith
Keep the chute open
Sculptor’s chisel
Chip, Chip, Chip, Crack…
A small blooming bud
The world is an open wound
Active faith, not passive waiting
Go through the fire to get to the precious feathers
Lessons learned from stormy weather
I discover the sun in my pocket
I keep pictures of love in my locket
Travel the world to find a home
Thrown a lifeline from above
Receive it as a message of love
Reach and hold tight
Remembering the lesson about fighting
Broken mirror remodeled
Cuts heal over time
Scars like wind chimes preserve the past and the present
When darkness surrounds
Stay afloat when you fall out of the boat
Choose joy even in the cracks of life
