What happens when a medical provider becomes the patient? Kelly Tuttle's journey shows us how personal experience can transform professional practice and create unique connections with patients.
Kelly spent two decades as a cardiology nurse practitioner before a car accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) completely altered her career trajectory. Rather than stepping away from medicine, she channeled her recovery experience into becoming a neurology specialist. The transition wasn't simple, it required two years of intensive self-education, seminars, CME courses, and eventually, a training position where she could develop expertise in conditions like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.
What makes Kelly's story remarkable isn't just her resilience but the unique perspective she brought to patient care. While keeping her own TBI history private, she used her firsthand knowledge of cognitive impairments, sound sensitivity, and neuro fatigue to provide uniquely compassionate and practical care. "My favorite part was helping them cope with that, because that was like my bag of tricks that I could share with them," Kelly explains. Her patients would often respond with surprise: "You're the first provider who understands me, who gets it."
This personal experience led Kelly to create valuable resources for others, including her book "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" and "My Brain Injury Recovery Journal." She advocates for journaling as a powerful recovery tool that promotes neuroplasticity, helps track symptoms and progress, and provides tangible evidence of improvement during difficult days. For students facing setbacks in their own journey, Kelly offers wisdom from her experience: "Don't let a bump in the road be a mountain and there's always a way around."
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student facing challenges, or someone supporting a loved one through recovery, Kelly's story reminds us that our greatest challenges often become our greatest opportunities to connect with and serve others. Visit kellytuttle.org to learn more about her resources and ongoing work.

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