
Interview with Mighty Meredith
If there’s one thing you’d want everyone with TBI to know, what would it be?
You’re not alone.
You had to adjust to a “new normal.” What are some of the adjustments you have had to make?
I used to play lots of sports but I can no longer play any sports for the rest of my life. I can’t ski, I can’t sled. I can only dance. And that was a big one because I used to play soccer, basketball, lacrosse, everything. And now it’s just dance.
Concussions are an “Invisible injury.” Was that one of the most difficult things about it?
Yeah. It was one of the most difficult things because I would go to school and do my homework but people only saw me at school, they didn’t see me go home, go to bed, cry because of the pain. I would go to school and seem fine. Also, living with a headache constantly was hard. People would usually think, ‘a concussion! Big whoop.’ Not really- it is a lot more than that. I have lost a couple friends from this, because they thought I was lying or exaggerating for attention.
What was most important to you when you started the Mighty Meredith project?
I love being kind. I love seeing people smile when I do something nice for them. That was a big part of it. Another part of it was raising awareness for traumatic brain injuries.
What is your main goal with the Mighty Meredith Project?
I think I want everyone to understand what it is like. I don’t want them to have to go through it but I want everyone to understand what it is like to live with a hidden illness. I want everyone to be kind to one another because you never know what is going on behind the scenes.
Are there any short-term goals for Mighty Meredith project? What do you have planned this summer?
We did a bake sale last year. We are doing another one this year. What I, personally, really want to do… when I was sick… I would watch Ellen every day, and I have always wanted to be on the Ellen Show.
How does it feel, knowing that you are other people’s strength as Mighty Meredith?
It is nerve wracking, but it is also feels really good. When I was sick, I didn’t really have anyone I could look up to who’d been through this. I was just kinda figuring it out by myself. If I did have someone, I think it would be a lot easier. Now that people can see me and see that they are not alone and that they have someone that knows what they are going through. It’s good.
Was there one specific talk that made you step back and realize, whoa this is something?
I have done a couple. Some with local Daisy-Brownie troops, one with the student council at the high school. But there was one, at a local gym in town, after the fundraiser was over, I stood up and spoke and everyone started to cry. And I realized then, that this is big and this is what I want to do. It’s cool.
What was it like to meet Chris Nowinski and the CLF staff?
I have wanted to meet Chris Nowinski ever since I heard about the CLF and what he was doing to help others with TBI’s and raising awareness of concussions. I thought our scheduled meeting would just be involving Chris, my mother and I. I then turned the corner and it was like I was a celebrity walking the red carpet. The entire staff of the CLF was right in front of me. My heart was pounding with joy and my mouth hurt from smiling so much. The fact that the entire team took time out of their busy day to meet with me made me feel overwhelmed with love. That was the best day ever! Thank you to all the CLF staff for meeting with me, and to Chris for making me, a girl who once struggled with finding her new normal, feel like I was a part of something big.
