As a brain tumor survivor, I must admit that going into and coming out of my operations I felt many, many emotions…and gratitude isn’t one of them.

I have felt sad, upset, despondent, anger and sorry for myself.  But I don’t remember feeling “grateful”. I suspect that neither has other brain tumor victims and friends and families.

Strangely, I’ve had folks tell me something like “you should be grateful, it could have been a lot worse”, which I have always found particularly…

I was 11 yrs. old in 1985, the year my brain tumor was diagnosed. I had no understanding then of the impact my tumor would have on my entire life. Adults can't understand the long-term impact, so how could I? My dad got Make-A-Wish involved with me early on. Prior to my surgery he had Ricky Shroder call me; I planned on marrying him (me and every other 10 yr. old girl & perhaps some boys, too). Make-A-Wish also granted my wish and took me on a fantastic trip to California.

M-A-W…

If you haven’t seen the recent Diane Sawyer interview with Representative Gabby Giffords, I highly recommend it. Here’s a link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/gabby_giffords/humor-determination-key-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-recovery/story?id=14944407#.TsLQP2HRaSq

Here's a great example of somebody with a brain injury and is reduced to…

I have been sick most of my life. I'm 38 yrs. old now and spent two decades seriously ill. That means I've practically lived in and out of hospitals and emergency room from age 8 until I was 28. I've lost so much of myself during my whole brain tumor diagnosis and the aftermath of all my treatments that I have no idea who I am or what makes me happy.

I went from being a lover of gymnastics to a girl who couldn't walk properly. My balance never really got better. I think I've just…