Brain Injury Hero: Natanya Sortland

Natanya Sortland is the kind of person who doesn’t just inspire… she redefines what resilience looks like. A fierce advocate and living example of the power of perseverance, Natanya has transformed her own journey of recovery into a life’s mission to help others.

Before her life changed forever, Natanya was living what many would call a dream life. She was independent, active, passionate about her work and her community. But in her early 40s everything changed. A stroke, followed by a traumatic brain injury, left her legally blind and struggling with severe cognitive challenges. In an instant, the life she knew was gone.

For years after her stroke and TBI, Natanya faced a world that looked nothing like the one she once knew. She was legally blind, navigating cognitive deficits and dependent on others in ways she had never imagined. But even in the hardest moments, she held onto a simple, powerful desire: to give back to the organizations that helped her, to make those resources available to those who need them, and to dance. Step by step, through relentless work and unwavering determination, Natanya rebuilt not only her life, but found her life’s mission. 

A Champion for Caregivers

Today, Natanya is an Outreach Coordinator for the Mind Your Brain Foundation and the ambassador for Fighting Back Scholarship Program and Vision Corps. In her work, she shares her story to give hope to survivors and to share resources that can be life-changing.  When she speaks, others listen…not just because she survived, but because she speaks with courage, compassion and authenticity. Natanya’s advocacy extends beyond survivors as she champions the often-unseen heroes in the room…caregivers. After living through years of recovery and watching the dedication it takes from loved ones and professional support alike, Natanya worked with Fighting Back to establish an annual Caregiver Walk and Celebration, which recognizes caregivers each year—and connects them to each other and needed resources.

From patient to advocate, from survivor to leader, Natanya Sortland embodies the spirit of hope. Her voice rises not from where she was, but from where she is — at the forefront of change for brain injury survivors and caregivers everywhere.