Unmasking Brain Injury Events

Jan 14, 2025

Once someone has experienced a brain injury, it can be hard for the survivor to communicate or explain how they feel, but one project is helping survivors to express their thoughts and emotions. The Unmasking Brain Injury project was started in 2017 by the North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN), as part of a national campaign that began in North Carolina at a brain injury camp: Hinds Feet Farms. Participants have the opportunity to design a mask while telling their story and educate people what it is like to live with a brain injury. The national collection currently houses over 1,500 masks virtually.

Carly Endres, senior project coordinator with NDBIN, has seen firsthand the impact making the masks has had on people. "Over the past seven years, more than 150 masks have been designed by individuals in North Dakota who have survived a brain injury and their voices are powerful. This really is an opportunity to allow them to use their voice and experience in a different way. And it can be therapeutic, especially if they have had a hard time finding a way to express how they are feeling."

Masks on Display

February 11 – 14
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Central
University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences, West Atrium
1301 North Columbia Road
Grand Forks, North Dakota

The entire collection of plaster masks will be on display. This is a unique opportunity for anyone to learn more about brain injury and schools, students, families, and other community groups are encouraged to visit the display.

Endres explained, "Since our collection of masks has grown, and with the fragile nature of the masks, it is rare we are able to display the complete collection, so this really is a unique opportunity for us and for others who want to learn more about brain injury."

Each mask shares the first name of the survivor, the city where they live, a summary of how they received their injury, and an explanation of the mask design. Masks are also featured every Monday on the NDBIN Facebook page. One recent mask shared displayed this information:

Name: Willi I.
Location: Halliday, North Dakota
Brain Injury: Had it in my classroom when a student, Orlando S. saved my life. He told the secretary, she came and got me to the hospital.

Explanation of Mask:

My mask illustrates 2 sides of me.
One side is anger, hopeless, alone and lost. I can't teach no more.
The other side is faith, happy, and family. They love and support me.
I'm learning how to cope with emotions.

Upcoming Unmasking Event

Unmasking events, where survivors can create the masks, are held a couple times throughout the year in different parts of the state. All materials are provided free of charge. The next Unmasking event will be held in Bismarck.

February 10
3:00 – 5:00 pm Central
Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library
515 North 5th Street
Bismarck, North Dakota

To RSVP for this event, reach out to Andrea Sailer, resource facilitator for NDBIN, by email at andrea.sailer@UND.edu or call (701) 777-3297.

Endres sees this project as providing a personal lifeline from survivors to others. "By combining therapy, art, and advocacy, this project presents an entirely unique perspective on life with brain injury for survivors, family, caregivers, and professionals. It is a way to really share their unique experience and emotions they might otherwise have been keeping inside themselves."

Groups, schools, or community organizations who would like to host an Unmasking event should reach out to NDBIN at (855) 866-1884 for more information.

About the Masks

In February, all of the 150 masks in the collection will be on display, showing a visual representation of a small percentage of people living in North Dakota who have experienced a brain injury, whether it is through a traumatic brain injury, an acquired brain injury, or a stroke. This exhibition allows others to see that persons living with a disability due to their brain injury are like anyone else, deserving of dignity, respect, compassion, and the opportunity to prove their value as citizens in their communities.

About the North Dakota Brain Injury Network

NDBIN has been providing information and support to individuals with brain injury and their family members in North Dakota since 2010. Resource facilitators assist with navigating the service system and provide technical assistance in finding the right resources for everyone. Services offered include outreach and education to increase public awareness of brain injury, as well as peer support by connecting people with others who have experienced a brain injury.