Making Headway is a podcast created by two brain injury survivors in the hope that it would help others in the process of recovery.
We are friends with brain injuries aiming to help others through sharing our stories and insights. We interview rockstar survivors who tell inspirational stories and practitioners who make a positive impact on recovery. We offer hope and strategies so that you can have what you need to make the most out of your life post injury.
Our Mission
To connect with the brain injury community by offering advocacy, resources, and support while sharing survivor stories of hope.
My name is Eryn Martin.
Founder and Host
On May 11, 2020 I had the opportunity to travel into my mind, understanding truths about myself I never knew. This was the day that I experienced a spontaneous perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage. I experienced changes in attention, cognition, memory, visual and auditory processing, depression and anxiety.
Through my experience with brain injury, I have been working on self-compassion--a process of self-exploration, acknowledgement and acceptance of myself. I have always had a heart for others but rarely a heart for myself. I have been blessed with an opportunity to address my inner struggles and deal with them in a healthy, affirmative way. I continue to seek ways to improve and grow. I am inspired and honored to be able to join you on my journey and share resources.
My brain injury has been transformative. If I can have a long-lasting impact on just one person (including myself), it will have all been worth it.
My name is Alison House
Season Three Host
Before I suffered my perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage on 2/18/2023 I was leading a full, active life with my son in southern Maine. I was working as an RN Clinical Consultant. My son and I were active in many outdoor activities and busy enjoying a good life with friends and family.
After my PSAH, I suffered memory loss, brain fog, vision issues related to eye nerve damage, Dysautonomia, balance issues and debilitating chronic daily headaches. The loss of a very important relationship during my recovery also left me emotionally devastated and caused delay in my healing.
In hindsight, this was the catalyst I needed to find my own strength during my journey to recovery! I made a very deliberate and conscious choice to turn a horrific experience into a new life of self-discovery, grace and happiness. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and bringing hope and inspiration to others.
My name is Andrew Penarubia
Season Three Intern
Hi. Andrew here! I am an AVM stroke survivor who loves singing, dancing, and listening to music. I mainly play trumpet, piano, ukulele and a few other instruments…all with one hand of course! I had my stroke at age 7 and actually just celebrated it being my 21st year since I had my AVM(so you do the math! Haha) I currently work at an after school program and take care of kids. Another big thing is I’m a gamer. Thanks to customized controls…I’m able to change key binds and controls to make playing different video games somewhat easier for me as a one handed gamer. Another thing is I love making voice impressions and emulating accents as well as different cartoon characters! I may do some for you during this podcast, who knows?!
I’m Mariah Morgan (season one host and co-founder).
On the morning of November 13, 2018, I looked both ways before crossing the street as I entered a pedestrian crosswalk on my two-block walk to work. My memory gets dodgy from here but my brain still holds a few snippets: a quarter of the way across the street I watched the fender of an SUV hit my knee, I slammed onto its hood, and then my head quickly hit the pavement. Hard. I was rushed to the hospital, put in a medically-induced coma, and, when I came to in the ICU at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, was told my 34-year-old body was not how I last remembered it. I’ll spare you the details of the insane list of diagnoses I was given- some knee, neck, and brain-related- but the most important one to know about is that I had an acute subdural hematoma.
I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a business owner. It has taken a long time to even begin to process the accident (and may take my whole life) but, looking at my life and how close I was to slipping away lends serious perspective. During the months after my accident, I struggled with feelings of loneliness and depression and did not realize at the time that they were direct results of my brain injury. If I can help others feel less alone during their recovery journey, I feel that some good will have come from the trauma that changed my life.
Want to tell your story?
Reach out to us with your brain injury story. We’d love to talk to you, whether you’re a survivor, a caretaker, or a medical professional who has insight to share with our community.
