Triena’s Story

My name is Triena Baldwin and I received my brain injury in September 2011.  I was traveling on the interstate going to Richmond, VA.  Traffic had come to a standstill and we were coming to a stop and waiting.  There was a car driving in the opposite direction on the other side of the interstate wall.  When he realized traffic had stopped, he slammed on his brakes but still hit the car in front of him.  His rear tire came off of his car and sailed through the air and landed on my windshield.

I was in the car, on the passenger side, with three other passengers.  I was the only one hurt in the car.  I was in a coma for a week.  I came out of the coma and couldn’t walk, talk, or see.   My vision came back first.  Two days later, my mother walked into my hospital room and said “Good morning”.  Instead of me waving like normal, I said “Momma”.  This was my first word.

After much therapy, I was able to stand up out of the wheel chair and walk with crutches.  I remember the day that I told the nurse that I did not want to walk with crutches.  She went and got me a walker.  With my “I can do anything” attitude, I wanted to walk without any help.  I took my first step without any help and went to the bathroom.  When God helped me walk out of the restroom, my mom was there.  We both cried tears of joy at my slow recovery.

My mother found out about the Denbigh House and I have been a member here for three years.  This family has been a big part of my recovery!