The word victim and survivor are strange to me. The tough part about my brain injury is that I don’t have a life to compare it to. Yes, I lost a lot when it happened, but I never had it. I lost a lot, but we will never actually know what I missed, only what I got.
I am subject to the world around me, but I see the victim as a negative word. It means someone who suffered from an event that was not positive. So yes, the word victim is correct in this situation. I don’t feel like a victim. I am a survivor. Survivor is a more positive word.
Survivor came out of a tragic situation and can move forward with their life. A survivor can make the most of their case after the event that happened to them.
I feel like since I never had a life before the accident I do not see myself as a victim or survivor. I do not feel like a victim. But, I am. I survived a traumatic event that changed the course of my life and I just missed the time before my life changed. I have had to deal with the consequences of the accident, but I am still a survivor.
It is nothing to be ashamed of, being a survivor makes you stronger. Everyone is a survivor of something, and it is important to celebrate it. It will allow you to live life to the fullest.
What do you guys think about the words survivor or victim? Should we change the negative connotations for people associated with it?
In case you are not sure why I am writing this blog, please read my story.