Grief and Gratitude: Karen Stone Fortune on Surviving and Thriving After Her Husband’s TBI | Ep. 10

In this deeply moving episode of Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette  sits down with Karen Stone Fortune, whose husband suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a cycling accident in 2019. Karen shares the heartbreaking early moments of the injury, the long road to an accurate diagnosis, and the complications that led to emergency brain surgery—all amid the isolating challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karen opens up about the emotional toll of caregiving, the strain on her family, and how she slowly began to rebuild through therapy, self-care, and boundary setting. She speaks powerfully about transforming pain into purpose, choosing gratitude alongside grief, and the importance of connecting with others who truly understand the invisible weight of this journey.

This episode is filled with practical insight, raw emotion, and deep encouragement for any woman navigating life after a partner’s brain injury.