December Innovator
Faces of TBI has a mission to be a voice for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and bring awareness to the world. They hope to educate survivors, caregivers, friends and family, as well as the medical community. There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding TBI and concussions, and they want to be the voice of change! Keep reading to learn more!
Every business has a story, tell us yours.
I began Faces of TBI as a way to offer resources to others, as I couldn’t find any after I had slipped on the ice and landed on my head in February 2014. Doctors kept telling me there was nothing they could do for a concussion/brain injury and that I just had to give it more time, and was eventually told I was just depressed and should take medication for that.
This was not acceptable to me, as was not being able to return to any of my regular activities. Unfortunately, it’s a story I hear over and over again within my FB community (Amy’s TBI Tribe).
I was persistent and eventually found the right providers who knew how to help me. It’s my passion in life to help others find help and support sooner than I did, and help them know they’re not alone.
I began the #NOTINVISIBLE awareness campaign in early 2019, bringing together my careers as a photographer and an advocate to raise awareness about this invisible injury that affects over 3.5 million Americans each year. Through imagery and written word I am able to show that while we may look totally normal on the outside, we are struggling with this invisible injury on a daily basis.
In September of this year I launched The Brain Health Magazine — a resource for living your best life after brain injury. Nothing existed in the consumer market, so I made the decision to create one! (https://thebrainhealthmagazine.com)
Additionally, I host the Faces of TBI podcast series — available on most streaming platforms, as well as TBI TV on YouTube. I have published two books about my journey, and I travel the country with my Yorkie, Pixxie, speaking at conferences and creating awareness everywhere I go!
You were chosen as this month’s Innovator Member. What does being an Innovator mean to you?
An innovator is defined as someone who introduces new ideas, methods, or products — I would also add that it’s someone willing to shift the paradigm.
What “teacher” has made the most impact on your life and why?
I have learned so much from so many throughout the course of my life. Having spent 20 years as a photographer taught me how to “see” people, and being a business owner has taught me how to implement ideas and “market” them to a demographic. I have learned how to put myself out there, being vulnerable and authentic to make an impact. My favorite quote is from Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I have driven to almost all of the lower 48 states in the past 5 years, and plan to drive to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest this summer (if anyone has any helpful hints on that, i’d love to hear them!)
If you could have only one super power, what would it be and why?
I would love to have a super power that allowed me put my finger into a cup of coffee and be powered up for days, not needing sleep for weeks at a time!
Why do you choose to WORK AWESOME at OffiCenters?
It’s convenient — and Woodbury is dog friendly! The staff is friendly and helpful, and I feel at home while working.
Together we are OneCommunity. How can our business community of 1,500 help support Faces of TBI?
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion (which IS a traumatic brain injury, by the way) please send them to my website and FB group for support. I hear far too many stories of young children hitting their heads and doctors saying they’re “fine” but I am here to remind you that they actually aren’t. ALL hits to the head (you don’t even have to hit your head to suffer a TBI) need to be taken seriously. Symptoms can take weeks, months, and sometimes years to onset.
In addition to our Member Directory, how else can people CONNECT with you?
www.facesoftbi.com
https://thebrainhealthmagazine.com
www.instagram.com/amyzellmer
www.instagram.com/thebrainhealthmag
www.twitter.com/amyzellmer
www.twitter.com/brainhealthmag
www.pinterest.com/thebrainhealthmag
www.linkedin.com/in/amyzellmer
www.facebook.com/facesoftbi
www.facebook.com/thebrainhealthmag
