Mind Matters: Navigating Head Injuries and Concussions – Surviving a Concussion: Dawn Szombathy’s Brain Injury Story
Hosted by Kiley Como | Guest: Dawn Szombathy, Artist, Entrepreneur & TBI Survivor
In Part 2 of our Mind Matters conversation, host Kiley Como, Legal Nurse Consultant at Shane Smith Law, continues his powerful interview with Dawn Szombathy, a TBI survivor whose life was completely upended but not defeated by a sudden head injury. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there to hear how her injury happened and the early struggles that followed. Then join us here as Dawn shares what comes after the shock: the long, non-linear journey to reclaim her health, her identity, and her life.
The Turning Point
It took nearly two years, multiple failed treatments, and another blow, this time from COVID, to finally shift Dawn’s path. Weakened and frustrated, she remembered a long-lost email from a fellow brain injury survivor who had mentioned a clinic in Canada. With nothing to lose, she booked the trip.
That decision became the turning point.
In April 2024, Dawn spent two weeks at a clinic just outside Toronto under the care of a seasoned specialist in post-concussive syndrome. The clinic’s accelerated recovery program changed everything. “They taught me what I needed to keep going on my own,” she shared. “Without it, I think I’d still be stuck in a hole, just barely surviving.”
A Life Rebuilt, Piece by Piece
Recovery wasn’t just about rehab. It was about reinvention.
Unable to look at screens due to severe visual strain, Dawn’s career as a visual designer came to a halt. “I had to let go of productivity as my measure of worth,” she said. “Instead, I learned to find joy in the little things; the frogs, the owls, the quiet.”
She also realized how deeply isolation had affected her mental health. It took time, effort, and a willingness to ask for help, something she was never used to doing. But with support from a few friends, a brain injury support group, and time spent healing with family, Dawn began to climb out of the emotional hole that had formed around her.
The Invisible Work of Recovery
Kiley and Dawn explored the hardest truths about TBI: the loneliness, the stigma, and the constant push to prove you’re really not okay. Despite her symptoms, Dawn said some people close to her still lacked empathy. “It felt like I had to defend myself constantly,” she said.
And yet, she kept going.
Through relentless physical therapy and emotional work, including EMDR to process old and new trauma, Dawn slowly began to rebuild. She credits much of that progress to her persistence and to the providers who finally listened and guided her toward effective tools.
“If you’re still having symptoms after three months, it’s not going to just go away with rest. You need support. You need action. And you need people who believe you.”
Redefining Purpose After TBI
Today, Dawn is cautiously stepping back into the world of work, this time with more focus on human-centered design and a growing curiosity about advocacy. She wants to collaborate with brain injury organizations to make systems more inclusive and accessible, combining her background in design thinking with her lived experience.
“This has given me a deeper strength. My life still matters. Everyone walking through this matters.”
A Message for Survivors—and Those Who Serve Them
Kiley asked Dawn what message she’d want providers, attorneys, and supporters to understand about brain injury survivors. Her answer was simple, but powerful:
- It’s not “just a concussion” after a few months.
- TBI healing takes effort, community, and specific care, not generic advice.
- Trauma often lives in the body, and therapies like EMDR can be key to unlocking healing.
She also had a message for those currently in the fight:
“Don’t give up. Even if it just means resting and trying again tomorrow. Help will show up. It just might take time.”
What Does It Mean to Live Well Now?
For Dawn, living well means something very different than it did before. It’s about being present. About appreciating what’s still here. And knowing that she didn’t just survive, she grew stronger in the process.
“This injury didn’t break me. It showed me who I am.”
Join the Conversation
What did you take away from Dawn’s story? Have you or someone you love navigated life after a brain injury? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out on social media. Every voice helps someone feel less alone.
👉 If you’d like to connect with Dawn, you can find her on LinkedIn.
🎧 Missed Part 1? Click here to catch up.
📞 In pain? Call Shane. 980-999-9999. We’re here to help.
Related Post:
“Not the Same, but Still Me”: Dawn’s Story of Brain Injury, Loss, and Starting Over
