Recovering from a traumatic brain injury during COVID isolation forced me to rebuild my identity from the ground up—one small step, one photograph at a time.
It was a sunny, cold afternoon in January 2020, when I was in the seventh grade, right before COVID hit. My friends and I were playing catch during recess, laughing the way only kids can— carefree, bright, and full of possibilities.
I reached up to grab the football, but it slipped through my hands. In an instant, happiness turned into excruciating pain. The point of the ball struck my left temple, knocking my glasses to the ground. At that moment, my lens shattered, and so did my world as I knew it. The accident left me with a concussion, and suddenly the simplest tasks felt overwhelming. What followed were weeks of fog, constant headaches, loss of energy, and confusion that clouded my daily life. I struggled to focus on my schoolwork, and I could no longer pursue the passion that had shaped much of my childhood: competitive gymnastics. Doctors’ appointments became routine, and as weeks turned into months, it became clear that my struggles went far deeper than a physical injury. Slower processing, memory challenges, and changes in how I learned led to further evaluations.During my recovery, I had to relearn how to learn. I had to rebuild the self-assurance I once took for granted. And then, before I could catch my breath, COVID hit. My world shifted once again. My schoolwork suffered under the demands of online learning, so I transferred to a cyber charter school for half of seventh and all of eighth grade. That period, filled with instability, isolation, and ongoing recovery, pushed me academically and emotionally in ways I was not prepared for. At first, everything felt daunting. I questioned whether I would ever catch up academically or feel confident again. But somewhere in the quiet moments of that difficult season, I made a decision: I would not let these challenges define my story. Over time, I developed new strategies and learned to advocate for my needs. I discovered that resilience is not one big moment of courage; it is a thousand small steps to keep moving forward, especially on days when giving up feels easier. The biggest test of that resilience came after COVID, when I transitioned into public high school while still managing the lingering effects of my concussion. Freshman year was tough, academically, socially, and emotionally. But I refused to let the beginning of my high school journey determine the end of it. Each year after ninth grade, I worked to improve in my classes, in my confidence, and in my sense of self. Every step forward strengthened my belief that difficulty does not diminish potential. It reveals it. During this time, I needed a positive outlet outside the classroom. Since I could no longer participate in competitive gymnastics, I searched for a new way to express myself. That’s when I discovered photography. What began as a simple hobby quickly became my sanctuary. Through the lens, I found a way to communicate emotion, capture beauty, and tell stories when words fell short. Photography shifted from an interest to a passion, and now to my intended major in college, paired with a minor in business. This past August, with the support of my parents, mentors, family, and community, I held my first photography exhibit. My work represented a step in my healing, a moment of clarity, or a reminder of hope. Each photograph I create is more than an image; it is a reflection of resilience shaped into art. Using photography, I strive to give back to the community that helped carry me through my darkest moments. I also hope to mentor younger creatives and contribute my skills to community-based storytelling initiatives. As graduation season approaches, I find myself reflecting on what helped me reach this point. Learning and reading have been central to my life since I was a baby. My parents read to me every night, nurturing my curiosity and imagination. Because of how I was raised, learning is not a chore—it is a way of living. My recovery has been anchored in how I continue to learn, adapt, retain and access information in new ways. Another foundation laid early in my life was the power of positive thinking. Since birth, my mom ensured that my sister and I said affirmations every morning. I have carried those affirmations with me in good times and bad; they are the steady voice I rely on in my quietest moments. The practice of speaking life, confidence, and hope into myself from such a young age is now an integral part of how I view and live life. Hobbies have given me balance and room to explore who I am beyond academics, first gymnastics, then painting and now photography, which has grown from a pastime into a calling. Just as important has been my support system. My dad often reminds me of something my grandmother used to tell him when life felt overwhelming: “You can’t live in this life alone.” Someone else once said, “If you want to go far, go together.” I have been blessed with a village that has walked with me, encouraged me, and reminded me that I never had to face my journey by myself. Perseverance has been the thread holding it all together. My parents have always taught me to never give up. Often, our challenges become the very places where resilience takes root. Progress can feel slow and confidence can rise and fall, but every step forward still counts. Each of our paths is unique, though with grit, grace, and faith, we can make it through. I want my work to inspire reflection, joy, healing and connection, just as art did for me when I needed it most. There will come a time when all of us will face difficult challenges, some visible and some hidden from the world, but difficult moments do not have to define anyone’s future. They can actually become the beginnings of strength, purpose and a story worth telling. On that sunny and cold day, January 2020, the lens in my glasses shattered, but my life, as I knew it, changed forever. Photography has allowed me to restore a lens once broken, allowing me to see the world and to share it with others. It has given me clarity, allowing me to see the world in a way that has inspired me to step into my purpose. As I take the next steps into my future, I look forward to looking through the new lens college will allow me to sharpen, as I enhance the vision of my life. Olivia Stokes is a senior at Susquehanna Township High School and author of Secrets of Robins. In 2024, she founded the Liv’s Lens Foundation. She hosted her first solo photography exhibition in August 2025, in partnership with The Art Association of Harrisburg.
Mental-Health Section:/Opinion
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