Kelly Tuttle Author - After the Crash

Invisible Wounds: Healing After TBI

Posted inHealth and Wellness, Mental HealthNo Comments
After a 2015 car crash, Kelly Tuttle, a neurology nurse practitioner, traded her stethoscope for a patient’s chart, grappling with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her book, After the Crash, illuminates the hidden struggles of TBI survivors — cognitive fog, emotional volatility, and societal misunderstanding. Unlike visible disabilities, TBIs often leave survivors looking “fine” while battling memory loss or fatigue. Tuttle’s journey reveals coping strategies like structured routines and self-advocacy, urging families, friends, and employers to offer patience and accommodations. “You look the same, so nothing’s wrong,” many TBI survivors are told, highlighting the stigma of invisible disabilities. Through resilience and support, survivors can rebuild a “new normal.” This article explores Tuttle’s insights, expert advice, and practical tools to empower TBI survivors and their communities to navigate recovery with hope and understanding, transforming invisible wounds into stories of strength.
A man standing and shooting a bow with a man in a wheelchair also shooting a bow

Archery: Rewiring Brains, Reclaiming Lives

Posted inHealth and Wellness, Mental Health, Your NNBL Journey1 Comment
After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I doubted archery could help. My VA occupational therapist insisted it could rewire my brain, sharpen focus, and boost memory. Thirty days later, I was driving, reading, and conversing again! Archery isn’t just a sport, it’s therapy for those on the autism spectrum, with cognitive challenges, ADD and ADHD, or battling neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. John Ratey says, “Exercise like archery stimulates neurogenesis,” rebuilding neural pathways. It’s also outdoor exercise and face-to-face connection, vital for mental health. Now, I shoot my 75 pound, Browning compound bow to stay calm and for hunting, a survival skill. Veterans and neurodiverse folks, join me! My upcoming video series will teach you archery basics — choosing equipment, stance, and shooting a bow. Get outside, connect, and heal your brain. Follow my journey and discover how archery can transform lives, one arrow at a time.