Welcome to Ayo’s Pages. This blog will document the development of my life following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI.) There will be plenty of flashbacks to my life before the injury. My life was full of accomplishments, music, dance, learning, and, most of all, fun. Ayo’s Pages will also, hopefully, get me writing again. Writing has always given me a great deal of pleasure and release. The thoughts here are my own, my life, life in general, news events, and whatever interests me on the day I write.

I always thought I’d act and think like what I thought adults were like. Fortunately I was wrong. I continue to have a heart of a child and a longing for fun. Maybe that is why I enjoy being with little kids so much. Kids and animals love me. My mother said this is because I never grew up. She still said it after I earned my Ph.D.  So now at 61 years old I do adult things but my smile and laughter give away the child in me.  

So let me get the story out of the way. In September 2002, I was at a tavern in Connecticut with one of my sisters and one brother to hear another sister’s band. (Following it so far?) The band was jammin’ and I was dancing, becoming overcome by the music, twirling, and my hips swaying. Music takes me to a high not everyone is allowed to enjoy. Dance is freedom. And then, as if in slow motion, I watched myself fall to the floor. I’m told two white men got into a fight; one shoved the other who hit against me. Hitting my head on the band’s monitor, I was knocked out. I mention that two white men because two Mexican men were charged and convicted of starting the fight even though they didn’t. My family and the band were the only black people in the Tavern. I was the first injured and the last the EMTs helped. My sisters told me the story of what happened. I remember very little of that night. My sister, the attorney, also said I was the last one seen by a doctor in the emergency room. People who are knocked unconscious are usually kept in the hospital overnight for observation. I was sent home. Fine by me; Mom was a registered nurse. I couldn’t get better care.

So now, a little over 12 years later I am building a new life. I miss my previous life but how many people are given the opportunity to build a whole new life. Of course I have some limitations and challenges but I can work with them. Let’s see what happens.