A brain injury can change everyday life in unexpected ways. For Adeline, the experience after her car accident affected her ability to read, write, and speak. It also brought changes in her behavior that she never expected.
In this video, Adeline shares a surprising part of her TBI journey: developing a shopping compulsion and purchasing more than 200 books, even during a time when she couldn’t read or remember what she had read.
🚗 Life After the Accident
Adeline shares that she experienced a car accident two and a half years before this conversation. At the beginning of her recovery, she struggled with basic abilities that had once come naturally to her.
She explains that she couldn’t read, write, or really speak. Although she speaks three languages, communicating became incredibly difficult.
She describes that early period as feeling like she was drowning.
🛍️ Unexpected Changes in Shopping Habits
Adeline also experienced what she describes as compulsive shopping.
She recalls spending large amounts of money buying things she didn’t really need. Along with those purchases, she developed an unexpected interest in books.
📚 Buying More Than 200 Books
During this period, Adeline purchased more than 200 books!
Her collection included books about:
🤕 Concussions
🧠 Brain Injuries
🌱 Self-Help and Personal Growth
What makes this experience especially surprising is that she was buying all these books while struggling to read and remember information.
She describes going crazy buying books, even though she couldn’t fully use them at the time.
💗 Love Love Brain Thoughts
Adeline’s story reminds us that life after a traumatic brain injury can involve unexpected challenges and changes.
Her experience with shopping and buying books is personal, but it opens the door to an important conversation about the many ways a brain injury can affect everyday life.
Recovery is not always straightforward. There may be struggles that other people don’t see or fully understand.
Listening to survivors share their experiences helps create awareness, understanding, and compassion.
Every brain injury journey is different, and every survivor deserves to have their story heard. 💗
💬 We’d Love to Hear From You
Have you experienced unexpected changes in your habits, interests, or behavior after a brain injury?
What helped you understand and navigate those changes?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Your story may help someone else feel less alone.
🎥 Watch the Video
Hear Adeline share her surprising experience of buying over 200 books after her brain injury, even when she struggled to read and remember. 📚💗
📚 Learn More About Alex Lombardi
Alex’s Book Title:
What You Build From Here
Alex’s Website:
Alex Lombardi Official
Alex’s Instagram:
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Alex Marie Lombardi
Alex’s Podcast:
Explore Enriched with Alex Lombardi on Apple Podcasts.
Book Review:
What You Build From Here
Get the Book on Amazon:
What You Build From Here
Visit Alex’s website to learn more about her work, speaking opportunities, and The Brain Edit™.
If you enjoyed this interview, consider exploring Alex’s book and following her work for more ideas on intentional living, personal development, building sustainable habits, and creating a life aligned with your goals.
Affiliate disclosure: Love Love Brain may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.
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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content shares Adeline’s personal experience and is for education and support, not medical advice.
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