S1/ E10/ PT1: Before the Light Returns: Siblings in the Aftermath of TBI

In Part 1 of Lights On, Erin and Amanda are joined by their daughters, Saydie and Olivia, for an honest conversation about what it's like to be the sibling of a traumatic brain injury survivor. Saydie shares how, at nine years old, her invisible injuries and anxiety were downplayed while the family focused on life-and-death survival, leaving her feeling frozen, overwhelmed, and guilty for years. Olivia reflects on supporting her brother from far away as a young adult, navigating distance, fairness, and the impossible feeling of not being able to show up "enough." Together, they explore how siblings often carry abandonment, pressure, and grief quietly; and why support, trusted adults, and permission to feel it all matter. The episode closes on a powerful truth: joy and love still belong here...because if we don't have joy, what are we fighting for?