A B.C. woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in her 20s says sheB次元官网网址檚 saddened and tired of being mistaken for being inebriated.

Barbara E. (Red) Allen, now 59, was just 27 years old when she was a passenger in a fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver in Peticodiac, New Brunswick.

The drunk driver walked away. AllenB次元官网网址檚 driver, Tom, died at the scene. Allen had to be cut from the car with the Jaws of Life. Her brain injury resulting from the accident was compounded by a punctured lung and facial injuries that required plastic surgery.

The injury, in her words, initially reduced her to the capabilities of a three-year-old inside and out. A long and arduous process B次元官网网址渨here I had to learn how to walk and talk again,B次元官网网址� gave Allen some of her life back, but she never fully recovered from the brain injury and never will.

B次元官网网址淚 was unconscious for nine days,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been dealing with this disability for 30 years now.B次元官网网址�

The pain of those injuries is still felt, but itB次元官网网址檚 the misperceptions they sometimes create make it even harder to cope.

Now living in Chemainus on Vancouver Island, Allen says sheB次元官网网址檚 been stopped by police in the middle of the day and asked to take a breathalyzer test because her speech and appearance is such that people often think sheB次元官网网址檚 been drinking. She was once pulled over for a mistaken interpretation of dangerous driving after a woman spotted her at a traffic light.

She doesnB次元官网网址檛 wish to vilify the RCMP who are only doing their jobs, but sheB次元官网网址檚 been mistakenly thought to be inebriated three times in recent years and been questioned while trying to make liquor store purchases.

B次元官网网址淚 am simply wanting to raise awareness of invisible disabilities and asked to be respected for myself and my community efforts,B次元官网网址� Allen said.

She has a lot going on in her life and tries not to dwell on those things, but itB次元官网网址檚 always a challenge. Even this long after her accident, Allen doesnB次元官网网址檛 take anything for granted.

She took 10 courses and spent three years working toward becoming a personal trainer. And sheB次元官网网址檚 not letting anything get her down despite some annoying obstacles.

She would just like people who might not know someoneB次元官网网址檚 circumstances to show a little more compassion.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 feeling blessed to be able to walk and talk again,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 working out like crazy.B次元官网网址�

Allen hopes some understanding of her life will help so that she can continue to participate within the her community. She recently joined the Cowichan Brain Injury Society and thatB次元官网网址檚 helping herself and others with like minds to cope.

B次元官网网址淚 think IB次元官网网址檓 a better person than I was before. ItB次元官网网址檚 a life lesson you donB次元官网网址檛 wish on anyone. But IB次元官网网址檓 here now.B次元官网网址�

For more news from Vancouver Island and beyond delivered daily into your inbox, please