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Dr. Nicole Eastman’s Story 

Finding Hope Through Connecting with Others

Dr. Nicole Eastman never imagined she would be on 

disability at age 30...or host a blog about her traumatic 

brain injury (TBI).

The TBI survivor and social media enthusiast is providing hope 

and inspiration to countless individuals who have been touched 

by brain injuries. At the same time, she is helping herself heal 

from an event that changed her fast-paced life in an instant.

Just 2 weeks after her marriage, while 

driving to work at the hospital where 

she was completing her residency, Dr. 

Eastman was struck multiple times by 

a semi-truck. Upon arrival at the scene, 

police were shocked that she had survived. They were even more surprised to 

see she had no cuts and no bruises—no visible signs of injury.

Dr. Eastman was treated by emergency department staff and 

released that same day. 

“I experienced a headache and back pain at the accident scene; 

however, once I arrived home the pain increased to the point that 

it was unbearable.“ she recalled. 

Dr. Eastman had sustained a closed-TBI, an injury to the brain 

caused by movement of the brain within the skull. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), each year nearly 1.4 million Americans are seen in 

emergency departments for TBI alone or in conjunction with 

other injuries or conditions. Previously referred to as the “Silent 

Epidemic,” individuals with this injury may not have any visible 

scars, and symptoms may not show up or be noticed until hours 

or days later. Still, TBI can cause short or long-term problems seriously affecting thinking, learning, memory, and/or emotions. 

A TBI can affect all aspects of an individual’s life, as well as their 

loved ones.

Like other TBI survivors, for Dr. Eastman, her injury meant her 

life had to take on a much slower pace, and everyday things 

became difficult. 

“I couldn’t do simple things like 

push a vacuum or do laundry. I 

felt like I lost my independence 

and sense of self. I had to put my 

career on hold indefinitely.” 
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T he impact from that motor vehicle crash in 2010 lingers 

for Dr. Eastman, who despite therapy and rehabilitation, 

still deals with headaches, fatigue, and forgetfulness. 

She finds it difficult to stand for more than a half-hour at a time. 

But she’s grown to accept her life and is grateful for the progress she has made. Dr. Eastman found that sharing information 

and stories about her TBI on her website 

(http://drnicolemeastman.com) was critical to recovery. 

“What I found to be most therapeutic is writing about my 

struggles and offering support and encouragement to others, to 

instill hope and a sense of faith. I strive to help others realize that 

they are not alone,” Dr. Eastman said. “Social media are good 

outlets for so many people with brain injuries who are often 

socially isolated.”

Dr. Eastman is just one of the many TBI survivors who have 

shared their real stories of TBI as part of CDC’s Heads Up TBI Film 

Festival: www.youtube.com/user/CDCFoundationTBI.

CDC salutes Dr. Eastman and other TBI survivors for their drive 

and determination, and encourages you to share these stories 

to help give a voice to brain injury—so it is no longer a “Silent 

Epidemic.”

Share your story and learn more about TBI at: 

www.facebook.com/CDCHeadsUp.