Support Tracy's New Career After Traumatic Brain Injury

Hi, my name is Tracy. I am 54 year old disabled queer woman and I am seeking community support to pursue an exciting new career path. I was accepted into Madison College Audio Production Program for their Spring 2025 semester. I am on a fixed income through SSDI (disability) and am at a place in my life where I need some significant help financially to pursue my education and future career path that could provide financial security moving forward. This career path would give me the opportunity to pursue an additional passion of mine of being a spokesperson for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI's) and hidden disabilities. The money raised will be used for tuition, purchasing my own computer and printer, software, living expenses, car maintenance, gas money, etc. Any assistance is gratefully appreciated. I have learned in the last few years that community is essential to my healing.

I graduated from UW-La Crosse Physical Therapy School with a bachelor's degree in 1993. I graduated with a sports medicine specialty and with honors. I was so motivated to start my professional career built around helping people heal. Less than 1 year into my professional career as a PT I was involved in severe accident resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury, 5 skull fractures, shattered wrist, torn pelvis, and a variety of other injuries. My family was initially told that I would never walk again and if they could not care for me there are institutions in the area where I could be housed. I slipped through the cracks and was not able to receive the medical support I needed after my accident. I persevered, I tried to return to work as a PT in the Madison Metropolitan School District eight times. I was put back on medical leave again and again. I ended up working for a young man with severe Cerebral Palsy and his family for twenty years. This work impacted my will to live and especially my resilience. After his family moved to another state in 2015 I tried working in landscaping, maintenance, and worked as an HME Rehab specialist. I found I could not continue successfully in any of these roles secondary to my traumatic brain injury. I finally went on disability in 2021 and began to get the help and support I needed after my accident thirty years ago. I was able to tap into disability resources and supportive services in my community. Through this work, and my extensive background and passion in music, I discovered a new career path in audio production which led me to Madison College. I can see longevity and stability in this career path, which has given me hope--which I haven't felt in many years. I would greatly appreciate any assistance to help me continue moving forward in this new life I’m creating.

I will post updates and share more of my story as I move though this next chapter of my life.

Thank you again for your consideration!