“Bruce and Laura Allen have allowed us to journey with them in their remarkable, honest, painful, and miraculous story of faith, hope, and love. This is a must-read for anyone walking through extended physical suffering either as a patient, caregiver, or family member. You will laugh, cry, and rejoice-but most of all you will experience God.”
-Dr. Mark L. Walker

My book is a story of sibling life and sibling loss. It is a story of grief, love and hope. My story, in particular, weaves my relationship with my younger brother who is drastically altered after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. I have learned to live with courage through my own devastation as my brother’s guardian, caretaker, and sister.

Overcoming All Challenges is a book which describes in detail the chilling motorcycle accident and the countless terrible injuries sustained by the author Roger Daniel Rizzo. Among the innumerable injuries was severe, traumatic brain injury.

Overcoming All Challenges explains how the author was airlifted by police helicopter to the hospital, how he remained in the hospital for over six months, how he was in a coma for six weeks, and how he was a human vegetable for five and one-half months.

The book is not limited to only a description of the accident and brain injury which occurred in Roger Daniel Rizzo’s life. The book also summarizes with great specificity the challenges the author faced and overcame in his life which lead up to encountering his ultimate challenge, recovering from the myriad of injuries stemming from his horrific accident.

Not only are the “Rewiring” manuals the only paired set of guidebooks for recovery from brain injury available today, but they are the most comprehensive! And they’re survivor-written!

Well-received by health-care professionals, some examples of their praise include: “This is exactly what I’ve needed for my patients!” and “Perfect. I want a million copies” (Joanne Hein, speech-Language therapist); “During my career as a neuropsychologist I have often wished for books like “Brain Injury Rewiring” to provide my patients the answers they seek and the inspiration to continue their own journeys” (Christine Baser, Ph.D.).

No Going Back is an account of my journey leading to, receiving and then learning to live with severe traumatic brain injury. My book provides insight into the often “hidden” struggles we go through and shows that it is possible to rebuild, recreate, and start life all over again.

Traumatic Brain Injury Improvement through Motivation – Jarvis Rehabilitation Method. The manual is a method to create internal motivation for improvement after a traumatic brain injury. These are specific strategies to maximize improvement in the Social, Cognitive, Physical, and Psychological Dimensions of engagement with life. Included are guiding principles and a specific plan for improvement. The Survivor records objectives, goals, and progress on Improvement Charts in each Dimension. Progress is measured and individualized for each survivor through monthly coaching sessions.

“Learning by Accident is an amazing love story, brain injury story, family story, and inspirational story all in one. The Rawlins’ difficult journey will leave you realizing that anything is possible if you have a strong family.”

- Jeff Ruskan, Chief Executive Officer
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Virginia

“After more than 25 years working in brain injury as an Occupational Therapist, and as much as I know about its aftermath, Learning by Accident provided me with a much richer understanding of the emotional devastation it causes. This book will make you cry, laugh, give thanks, and believe in the power of love.”

Anne McDonnell, Executive Director,
The Brain Injury Association of Virginia

The year 2010 marks a quarter of a century since July 14, 1985, when we learned that Brian, our then 20-year-old son, had sustained a brain injury in a car accident. Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams tells of the first eight years of Brian’s journey and the intimately related journey of our family. Brian is the second oldest of our five children.
Many things have changed. Staples to close an incision are no longer new. The National Head Injury Foundation is now the Brain Injury Association of America. When I first heard Brian’s brain was injured, I frantically searched my bookshelf for information. Today we search the internet.

Why Jeffrey? Why Us? is a heartwarming story of the unconditional love of a severely brain-injured child and the wealth of memories he left those who were truly blessed to have been part of his life.

This book is dedicated to all of the very special children in the world who have struggled to understand why God chose to make them so differently. Despite our physical or mental challenges, God has a very special place for all of us. Just like the giraffe with the extra long neck or the elephant with the unruly trunk, God loves us for who we are.