Their stories are different -- car accidents, a brain tumor, an aneurysm. But the end result was the same: brain trauma that changed their lives forever.

The survivors of brain injury -- and their family members and friends -- find support in the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts' various programs, and, after the nonprofit received a grant from the Wareham Cultural Council, Southeastern region survivors found comfort in creating works of art.

The artwork -- from drawings to photography and even painted clothing -- was on display during the month of June at the Gleason Family YMCA, with visitors able to purchase the works. The touring art exhibit, Soaring Without Limits Through the Arts, culminated in a June 28 reception.

"We made almost $300," Sandra Topalian, Southeastern Regional Manager for BIA-MA, said with a smile.

A portion of the proceeds went to the nonprofit, some went to the artists, and some went to the Gleason Family Y.

Survivors of brain injuries are encouraged to use art as a therapeutic tool, as it requires patience and concentration. The art show also featured art by survivors' family members. Eight artists participated.

Here is what some of the artists had to say.

Beating a brain tumor

When he was 14 years old, doctors told Rob Bonia of Middleborough that he had a month to live.

The otherwise healthy teen had central nervous system lymphoma, a malignant brain tumor.

The prognosis was grim, but Bonia fought. He underwent aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. After just under a year, he was cancer free.

The now 34-year-old has been in remission ever since, though the cancer permanently affected his speech and motor skills.

"We've been joined at the hip for 19 or 20 years now," said his mother, Donna.

Bonia speaks candidly about the life-changing ordeal.

"I had never been sick before," Bonia said at the artists' reception before flipping through a book filled with dozens upon dozens of photographs he's taken over the years. He smiles when he says the doctors told him he only had a month to live.

There have been ups and downs in Bonia's recovery.

"He was an honor student prior to the tumor," said his mother. "Life in general has been challenging. ... You're fighting to get back to where you were."

Taking photographs has been a joy in Bonia's life. He started getting into photography not long after he got out of the hospital.

"It was something to redirect him," Donna said. "He liked doing art. He just took it and ran. ... He's got a fairly good eye, I think."

His mother recalled that Bonia once returned from a trip to Montana with 15 rolls of film. Luckily, the age of digital cameras has made it much easier -- and cheaper -- for Bonia to do what he loves.

Bonia agreed.

"I like taking pictures of scenery," he said. "I take pictures for memories."

Using writing to cope with her ordeal

Tracy Tarvers was stopped on Route 6 in Wellfleet on July 31, 1997, when the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended and pushed into oncoming traffic. She was air-lifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with a neck fracture and a head injury. She spent more than a month in a coma and woke up a quadriplegic.

Through physical therapy, she regained some movement in her arms, and Tarvers, who will turn 50 this year, has refused to let the accident get the best of her.

"I've had great support over the years," she said. Her mother and sister were nurses for many years. "I've been improving all along. I'm constantly improving."

Tarvers, who now lives in an assisted-living home in New Bedford, uses painting and writing as part of her rehabilitation. She enjoys poetry and has written a memoir about her ordeal entitled, "To Rise, Then Roll."

"You feel accomplished," she said was one of the reasons writing helps her cope.

Reading from her book's preface, Tarvers said that writing "has shaped my reaction to a life-changing event and my recovery."

She stressed: "I just have to choose joy."

A car accident, a months-long coma

Beth Trull had just wrapped up a weekend of skiing in New Hampshire with her husband and two young sons in February of 1991 when the vehicle her husband was driving hit black ice.

Trull's 9-year-old son was killed in a multiple-car accident. Trull and her older son suffered broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. Her husband suffered a broken toe. (The couple later divorced.)

"They had no control," Sandie DeMoranville, Trull's personal care assistant, explained. After six years of caring for Trull, DeMoranville can almost tell the entire story herself.

Despite wearing a seat belt, Trull was thrown through the windshield. She spent five months in a coma and underwent extensive rehabilitation.

"She had to learn everything all over again," including walking and talking, DeMoranville said.

Trull proudly showed off photos of her two young sons. DeMoranville had them placed inside a locket that Trull wears around her neck.

"I love it," Trull said of the locket.

DeMoranville noted: "She wears it close to her heart all the time."

Both Trull and DeMoranville created artwork for the show. Trull's is a drawing of a horse -- she used to take riding lessons -- named Happy.

"Neither one of us is an artist," DeMoranville said with a smile, "but we tried!"

Caring for her son

Nancy Smith of West Wareham participated in the art classes with her son, Scott, who suffered a brain aneurysm approximately three years ago.

Scott lives on his own in New Bedford, but Nancy helps him with many aspects of his life, she said. He suffers from vision and memory problems and migraines as a result of the aneurysm.

"I'm primarily his caregiver," she said.

Scott could not make the reception, but Nancy stopped by and modeled some of her creations: clothing with various painted designs. She paints designs on shirts, hats, pants, and even pillowcases.

Nancy also submitted drawings to the art show.

Art "is a great relaxer," she said.

Did you miss the exhibit? Catch it at the Falmouth Artists Guild show at the Falmouth Art Center from July 16 through August 6. Want to know more about the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts? Visit biama.org.