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Recovery In Poetry
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Samantha Renfro, advocate for persons affected by brain injury, has often told the story of Debbie, her daughter who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident at the age of 18. As a single mom, Sam worked fulltime to provide for Debbie’s special needs, but a lack of resources held dire consequences. Debbie was shuffled through 23 rehab facilities in half as many years. Without consistent care, Debbie was vulnerable. She was repeatedly raped and beaten, often times requiring hospitalization. Debbie grew terrified, and Sam tormented by her inability to provide for her daughter’s safety.
Before an audience at the Rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol, Sam told of a time when Debbie had been kidnapped and remained missing for one month. The kidnapper eventually was caught, but security continued to elude her daughter. When released from prison, Debbie’s assailant proceeded to stalk her.
In the telling of Debbie's story, the point Samantha Renfro has hoped to convey is the implications of brain injury. When something as catastrophic as TBI brings an abrupt halt to the life one had known, the catastrophe is pervasive, rippling through one's future and most, if not all, aspects of their world.
Debbie's story depicts something, sadly, that is far too common—that tragedy begets tragedy. Debbie was victimized by something as insidious as lack—a lack of services and provisions that denied her the basic requirements inalienable to physical and mental health, things as rudimentary as safety and assurance and the opportunity to thrive.
Fortunately, in 1996, Debbie's story took an upturn. After much waiting, Sam was able to secure an Independent Care Waiver for her daughter, and ever since, Debbie has received home and community-based services. As a result, Debbie has become a contributing member of society. She holds a part-time job, goes to church, and participates in a number of community activities.
But like her mother, the status quo isn't enough for Debbie. While Sam Renfro continues to advocate for persons affected by brain injury, her daughter, Debbie, survivor of brain injury and all its ramifications, has begun her own outreach to the community of persons affected by brain injury. Her website, Recovery in Poetry posts some of Debbie's poems, along with insights and relevant resources. For Debbie, expressing her feelings through poetry was an integral part of her recovery. She said, "It has been a revolution for me to find who I am through poetry." And in sharing her works with others, she desires to bring hope to persons affected by brain injury, as well as to help educate those unfamiliar with brain injury. Among her objective, Debbie wants her visitor to see that persons with brain injury still have intelligence and the drive to live life to the fullest.
"I hope others will see life clearer through eyes of all people. White, black, red, brain injured, mentally disabled etc., we're all the same because we all have thoughts and feelings that have importance. We all mirror each other in some way," said Debbie.
To read Debbie's poetry, visit her website, Recovery in Poetry.