Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Khayamian.
Ariana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In September of 2016, I had my first concussion. I was a cheerleader at my high school and a stunt accident resulted in another team member falling on my head. After this, I immediately knew something was wrong. I began having symptoms that same night. I was initially told that I would be clear of symptoms and back to “normal” after two weeks. These symptoms ended up lasting months, and now years. Initially, my mom, Peggy Khayamian, and I began searching for answers, as the doctors had none to give. During our search, we were connected with a friend, Miriam Allsop, who had experience with post-concussion syndrome, because of her son. Together, we found that there were countless numbers of people living with the effects of post-concussion syndrome, with no treatments or answers. This is when Beyond Concussion was created. We built a safe space where people with brain injuries of any kind have the freedom to speak out. We have made many connections, and are able to provide trustworthily, tested, and reliable information about treatments, support, advocacy, and healing. We are all extremely passionate about what we do here at Beyond Concussion. As we continue to grow as a nonprofit organization, we are able to lead people in the right direction and help them more and more every day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The creation of Beyond Concussion was initially difficult. None of us founders had any knowledge or background in the nonprofit world. Through our passion and our genuine commitment to the cause was a driving force, that no other can beat. We knew exactly what the people who reached out to us felt, because we had been, and are going, through those same things. As a person with post-concussion syndrome, life is different and presents challenges, but that does not mean that my brain injury will stop me from doing anything I set my mind to. Every single thing we have been able to accomplish through Beyond Concussion — from holding a gala and raising money for treatment, to talking one on one with survivors looking for guidance– has been worth the struggle.
Beyond Concussion – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Beyond Concussion is a nonprofit organization geared towards caregivers, providers, and patients, who have a connection to brain injuries. This organization was created by a group of people who know exactly what one has to deal with when living with a brain injury. This sets us apart. We are able to relate to whoever approaches us with questions and can speak from experience when creating solutions to problems others may be experiencing. I am most proud of the people who had come to us in search of help, and in search of answers. It is extremely difficult to speak out, no matter the situation you are in. If you take that one step, it can create drastic improvements. In my personal story, I did not speak out, I did not tell anyone I had a hit to the head. Instead, I kept quiet, in hopes that everything would go back to normal. When I initially told someone, then, I was able to heal and feel acceptance for what had happened. This acceptance and healing is crucial to any form of brain injury, as is something we stress as an organization.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment by far has been learning how to help others through my own experiences. I never thought that just from a concussion, I would grow as a person and be able to create an organization like Beyond Concussion. I have taken what I know: living with a brain injury and used that to connect to others, who went through or are currently going through the same things. This connection is something that is priceless and allows for further healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://beyondconcussion.org
- Phone: 858-707-5991
- Email: info@beyondconcussion.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondconcussion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondconcussions/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/beyondconcuss?lang=en
- Other: http://beyondconcussion.org/together-strong/
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