In the latest episode of Mind Matters: Navigating Head Injuries and Concussions, host Kiley Como, Legal Nurse Consultant at Shane Smith Law, leads a deeply personal and enlightening conversation with Dr. Michael Hennes, a chiropractic neurologist at The Neural Connection, and Paula Walters, a brain injury survivor, paramedic, and national speaker.
This powerful episode is more than a discussion—it’s a message of validation, recovery, and, most importantly, hope.
💥 The Injury No One Sees
Paula Walters’ journey began in 2006 after surviving a near-fatal strangulation in a domestic violence incident. Despite clear physical trauma, her traumatic brain injury (TBI) went undiagnosed for over a decade. In fact, it wasn’t until 2017—eleven years later—that she was correctly diagnosed, not by her neurologist, but by her own research and persistence.
“I was told it couldn’t be from the injury in 2006… I was told I was crazy.”
She isn’t alone. Dr. Hennes explains why brain injuries—especially those resulting from domestic violence—are so often missed:
- They don’t always show up on traditional scans.
- Emergency medicine often focuses only on life-threatening physical trauma.
- Many providers simply aren’t trained in functional neurology or brain injury rehab.
🚩 The Red Flags of “Invisible” Brain Injuries
Dr. Hennes outlines symptoms that frequently go unrecognized or are chalked up to unrelated causes:
- Sleep changes (can’t sleep, or sleeping excessively but feeling unrefreshed)
- Emotional dysregulation (irritability, anxiety, crying, or outbursts)
- Cognitive decline or gut issues—sometimes delayed for months or even years
- Being told it’s all in your head—or worse, “you’re just being dramatic.”
These symptoms are real. They are neurological. And they often worsen without proper diagnosis and treatment.
“The brain compensates well—until it doesn’t.”
🧠 Healing Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Emotional
As a survivor, Paula faced extreme emotional fallout: damaged relationships, lost friendships, and even suicidal thoughts.
“I became a crier, a yeller… I’d throw food in restaurants. People thought I was bipolar.”
With Dr. Hennes’ support, Paula didn’t just receive physical rehab—she was educated on her condition, equipped with strategies, and empowered to speak her truth.
She now uses terms like “bad brain day” and openly asks for grace when she needs it. Her healing isn’t perfect—but it’s hers.
🧩 The “Three Friends” Analogy: A Simple Way to Understand Recovery
Dr. Hennes uses a metaphor to explain how the brain rebuilds function:
- Vision, inner ear (vestibular system), and body awareness are like three friends at a party.
- If one tells a different story, the brain gets confused—leading to symptoms.
- Functional neurology helps bring those stories back into alignment.
🌱 The Power of Hope—and a “Master’s in Me”
One of Paula’s most powerful breakthroughs?
“I left The Neural Connection with a master’s in me. I know what my body needs. I know how to help myself heal.”
With lifestyle changes like prioritizing sleep, removing inflammatory foods, and managing emotional triggers, Paula says she’s now the best version of herself—and even back to work in EMS.
She’s thriving not despite her brain injury—but because she’s learned how to own her recovery.
🧘 Alternative Therapies That Work
While traditional medicine may dismiss symptoms that don’t show up on scans, practices like meditation, functional rehab, and individualized care are changing lives.
“You can actually see gray matter changes from meditation on an MRI in just 8–12 weeks,” said Dr. Hennes. “That’s real. That’s therapeutic.”
He encourages survivors and providers alike to explore newer approaches and never accept “this is just the way it is now” as the end of the story.
🔑 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Crazy. You Just Haven’t Found the Right Help Yet
“If you’re being told you’re crazy, what it really means is you’ve exhausted that provider’s knowledge,” said Dr. Hennes.
Don’t give up. There is help. There is healing. And above all—there is hope.
📲 If You or Someone You Love Is Struggling After a Head Injury…
Whether it’s from a car crash, domestic violence, or fall, Shane Smith Law is here to help guide your recovery and fight for justice.
In pain? Call Shane!
📞 980-999-9999
Shane Smith Law — We’ll Help You Get Your Life Back.
🧠 Explore More About Dr. Hennes’ Clinic: https://theneuralconnection.com/contact-neurology-clinic/
💪 Follow Paula’s Journey and Advocacy: https://thecourageoussurvivor.com/
🎧 Watch the Full Episode of Mind Matters:
