Hi, @nanacate. Welcome to the community!

One way I begin to describe my situation is to say that no two brain injuries are alike, and no two patients are alike. Yes, there are some commonalities, but they're descriptive, not predictive.

In my case, having had an ischemic stroke, I'm pretty good cognitively, but my right-side motor skills are severely limited. Does this mean I'm "behind" in recovery? Hardly. But a lot of people think because I'm physically handicapped, I must be an idiot. I've shocked more than a few people once I've spoken up.

You may find it helpful to refer people to websites that will broaden their understanding of brain injuries. And I know a man who has severe aphasia after a stroke -- he once got stopped by the police, who were convinced he was intoxicated because he couldn't speak well. His solution? He now carries business cards that explain his aphasia.

I know it may seem strange to carry a handout explaining your condition, but it's a start. It lessens frustration on both sides.

Me, I carry business cards with a link to my YouTube website where I discuss my recovery journey. It can help clarify how someone can look totally disabled but still be pretty damned smart. The YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos

(I've also been on local TV, featured for many Dad Jokes I've written and told. Who says the disabled have no sense of humor?)

Anyway, find a medium through which you *can* communicate, and start there.

Does that help?