Finding fulfillment, ‘new normal’ after TBI

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the age of 29 tried to place Patricia “Patti” O’Donnell’s life on hold.

However, Patti has reclaimed a life of hope and healing through perseverance and support from others along with years of physical rehabilitation and medical treatment.

As the landscape around her changed, Patti particularly found simple goal setting to be of the utmost importance.

Racing through life at lightning speed

Prior to her brain injury, Patti, a native of Havertown, Pa., had been building her educational, athletic and professional skills. She completed an undergraduate degree at Villanova University, studying pre-med and running Division I track and cross country.

Patti married and went on to earn a teaching certificate from Kutztown University, taught high school science and added coaching women’s Division I cross country and track to her resume. She simultaneously taught in the Northampton Area School District.

Soon thereafter, Patti quickly obtained a master’s degree in science education and a science supervisory certification from Lehigh University. She then began a position at Kutztown University, teaching and supervising science student teachers, in addition to coaching at Lehigh. Meanwhile, her summers were spent working full-time in Lehigh’s molecular biology research labs and taking graduate courses in the evenings, while working towards her doctorate.

“I was in heaven when I had my two dream jobs of teaching at Kutztown and coaching at Lehigh, especially having attained them at such a young age,” Patti said.

Unbeknownst to Patti, on Jan. 15, 1992, her life would be thrown into disarray and begin to deteriorate.

‘More than a concussion’

That day, she was struck in the head accidentally by a college men’s lacrosse ball, which is known to travel at speeds up to 90 miles per hour, while she was leaving indoor track practice.

She remembered feeling a “bullet-like” sensation careening across her face, she said. Then, she found herself on the ground several feet from the foyer where she had just been standing.

“My face looked like the Incredible Hulk, except it was black and blue, not green,” Patti said. “I was unrecognizable.”

Though originally treated at the hospital for a broken nose, loose teeth and a bad concussion, Patti said she did not initially register the gravity of her situation.

She attempted to resume work almost immediately, while continuing her graduate studies.

“I knew something was really wrong when it took me 10 hours just to type a 10-page paper and that is after I wrote it out by hand first,” she said. “I could no longer process my thoughts while typing for some reason.”

Over time, symptoms continued to worsen. She was plagued by daily migraines and trigeminal neuralgia paroxysms. Patti also had neck, back and brachial plexus pain.

As the months passed, Patti’s speech and motor skills were affected, not just with lab work such as pipetting but also seemingly simple tasks like holding a pencil, which soon became difficult.

“Everything worsened until work was out of the question,” Patti said. “Later, I could not even do my course work alone. I found out later that it was much more than a concussion.”

Finally, Patti received a diagnosis of TBI after an MRI identified a skull fracture in her occipital lobe. In addition, more attention was given to the brachial plexus injury, trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Living with unrelenting high levels of pain, Patti said she needed new ways to approach her life and navigate the world.

Starting over after her injury

A neurologist referred her to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation – Hyland Center for outpatient rehabilitation where she received physical, occupational, aquatic, hand, recreational, speech, cognitive, psychological and vision therapy. She also received support with assistive technology.

“The warm water pool at Good Shepherd was the first place my pain would lessen from a 10 out of 10 to four or five out of 10,” Patti said. “Vision therapy has been one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle to help me with retraining my brain and eyes to communicate and track properly again.”

Correcting functional vision helped resolve many of the post-concussive symptoms she had been experiencing, she said.

“I used numerous strategies to help with some of my other challenges, including critical thinking, writing skills and the ability to better communicate ideas,” Patti said.

Patti specifically pointed out that Good Shepherd’s assistive technology department taught her to execute strategies appropriate to the learning tasks she encountered.

“Many of my brain connections in areas like mathematics, organization, short-term memory and writing papers were in fact severed,” Patti said. “I had to teach myself to read and comprehend again. Through rehabilitation, I learned that I had to pace myself and balance my life differently to keep my mind and body healthy.”

Software programs allowed Patti to scan journals and read them out loud to her. This enabled her to organize journals, produce an outline, add important quotes and articulate her thoughts electronically, making research easier.

Rehabilitation, assistive technology and partnering with a service dog in due course slowly returned Patti to a more fulfilling life.

“I started setting small goals to accomplish my larger goals,” Patti said. “My dream goal was to finish my doctorate.”

Patti did indeed achieve that goal in 2011, with her service dog, Raven, by her side. Lehigh University’s College of Education awarded her a doctorate in science education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction – foundations of education, along with a minor in molecular biology.

“There is no way I could have accomplished finishing my last four courses, comprehensive exams, proposal, dissertation and dissertation defense without Good Shepherd’s assistive technology program,” Patti said.

Patti also noted that the program helped her access relevant phone apps and technology to help her navigate everyday life more efficiently.

“I am so grateful for those services,” Patti said.

Continuing to improve

Over the years, Patti has continued to make strides in other areas of her life as well.

Her speech has improved through work with a Philadelphia otolaryngologist. His surgery, speech therapy and singing voice speech (SVS) rehabilitation therapy have allowed her to use her voice at a level where she can be engaged in speaking events, teach in the classroom and even participate in Lehigh University’s Choral Union.

“I had to relearn how to read music and sight sing notes on pitch,” Patti said. “Singing was one thing I enjoyed doing prior to my injury.  I was overjoyed to be able to sing difficult pieces in a choir again.”

Patti has also traveled independently with her successor service dog, SSD Honeysuckle, throughout the United States and overseas. In 2023, Patti traveled to Ireland and Wales to visit family and friends, something which had not been possible right after the injury.

Patti continues to receive outpatient therapy at Hyland Center, near her home in Fountain Hill. Her life experiences and interactions with Good Shepherd have inspired her to be a wellness and disabilities advocate.

Prior to finishing her degree, she participated in both the founding and administration of an RSD/CRPS support group, as well as helping to found a nonprofit association to help mental health participants. She is involved in leadership roles in area support groups related to TBI as well.

Patti has spoken at various groups and schools about overcoming her challenges and demonstrates how her service dog helps her daily. In October 2026, she spoke as a brain injury survivor at Mind Your Brain @ Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.

“I encourage others to forge on and never take ‘no’ for an answer when facing new experiences amongst life’s uncertainties,” she said. “Being in the same room as others with similar experiences builds deeper connections, which fosters trust and often long-lasting relationships where we can encourage each other during challenging times and cheer for each other’s successes.”

Appreciating her ‘new normal’ following TBI

These days, Patti enjoys greater independence while pursuing kayaking and hiking with her service dog, Honeysuckle, as well as friends. She is once again gardening; attending concerts, church fellowship and healing arts classes; and is attempting to bike again.

Patti continues to consult as a performance trainer and coach for athletes, focusing on running and agility training. She remains involved in leadership roles in area support groups related to TBI and participates in various volunteer activities.

“People should maintain positive connections, both old and new,” Patti said. “Seeking true wellness is not a solo pursuit. Also, don’t allow fear to dictate your goals.”

Instead, Patti encouraged people to keep moving forward.

“Never allow anyone’s negative opinions keep one from pursuing their dreams,” she said. “Goal setting is the key to moving forward in life. Who knows, one may uncover some talents and aspects of oneself that one never knew existed. Such realizations hold immense power.”

According to Patti, life can be fulfilling, even if it looks different after a TBI.

“Strive for a major goal and then utilize smaller ones as stepping stones to accomplish the big dream goals,” she said. “I had to realize that I was not ever going to be the same person, but I got the chance to re-invent myself and start my journey to my ‘new normal.’”