ABOUT 

These images were taken as part of a project called 'Picturing the Invisible' which features the untold stories of men in New Zealand navigating life after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often called a concussion.  Eleven men offer a window into their personal journey with concussion, using photovoice, a creative research method that empowers participants to share their subjective experiences through images and stories. These photographs go beyond a medical view of concussion, revealing the hidden struggles, frustrations, and strengths that shape each man’s path to recovery. For some, it’s their first concussion; for others, it’s the latest in a series of multiple head injuries, each impacting their families, work, and sense of self.  

Though often labelled “mild” many of these men face lasting effects from their head injuries – months or even years of adapting to a new normal. Their images reflect both the daily battles and the quiet resilience required to cope with concussion symptoms that may not be visible but are deeply felt. This collection of photographs and narratives aims to raise awareness of the hidden nature of recovering from mTBI/concussion and encourages us all – friends, family and workplaces- to consider how we can better understand and support those whose injuries are invisible to the eye.