Marie
The following interview took place at Cerebrum in the spring of 2026. Maruška is a member of our team who is dedicated to community work and peer support. Maruška is a young woman whose life was changed by an accident, but who never gave up and continues to live a fulfilling life while remaining optimistic.
How do you remember the day of your accident, and what actually happened? I don’t remember anything about the accident. Everything I know now comes from my husband, Luky, who was also involved in it. The accident happened in August 2008. I was 19 years old. There were five of us in the car (four guys and me). I was sitting behind the driver, with Luky and another friend next to me. We left the guesthouse in the morning for a trip to Blatná Castle. We were driving on an unmarked road. Suddenly, a house appeared in front of us, so the driver swerved into the trees. When we hit the tree, my head slammed into the roof. The impact broke my collarbone and both pubic bones. They began CPR on me. I was then transported by helicopter to a hospital in České Budějovice. After about three weeks, I was transferred by helicopter to the intensive care unit at the hospital in Motol. My first memory is of my mom and my younger brother Kuba offering me a choice between two sandwiches. I realized I couldn’t speak, so I pointed to one. When, after some time, I was able to walk, eat, and communicate, I was finally discharged. After that, I attended physical therapy in Albertov.
How did the accident affect the rest of your life? In January 2009, I returned to school because I hadn’t finished my studies. I was in my third year at the Nursing School. I didn’t remember much from school. For example, I’d forgotten the names of my classmates and all the course material, so I put my studies on hold. In September 2009, I re-enrolled in my third year. In October, I went to the Vráž spa near Písek, where I got back on my feet physically. I started running to build muscle mass. After returning to school, things got harder for me because I had a lot of coursework to catch up on. So I dropped out at the end of the semester – my attempt to finish school didn’t work out.
How did you end up at Cerebrum? I heard about Cerebrum from my mom. I started coming here for cognitive function training. I also completed a rehabilitation stay and the “Path to Work” program. Thanks to that, I was able to re-enter the job market. I’ve been working at Cerebrum since 2023, and I’m incredibly happy about it.
What’s your life like today? My husband Lukáš and I have a daughter, Lucinka, who’s in second grade. We live together in a family home with dogs, a cat, and rabbits.
How did you come to terms with what happened to you, and what motivated you to recover? I’ve always been an optimist. I told myself, “I have to keep going.” My husband Lukáš was my rock, and in turn, I wanted to be an equal partner to him.
What advice would you give to people with acquired brain injuries? Never give up. There’s something to live for – family, friends, pets…
How has your outlook on life changed? My outlook on life hasn’t changed; I think it’s always been the same. Life is worth living.
