By Mhairi Collins

In my past life, prior to 22nd February 1996, I was a newly fledged teacher and part of a family of four. Since this time I have been through a journey of a lifetime because on my way to school that day my family and I experienced a devastating head on collision with a double trailer Mac truck. My partner and eldest son were killed, my youngest son and I survived. I have written briefly of my past life and the results of the crash then I give you insight into what one will often go through after receiving a severe traumatic brain injury.

The writing of this book was a healing aid for me and was published in 2009, thirteen years after the crash. I gifted it to the Brain Injury Association of Northland (New Zealand) to help raise needed funds. My main aim though was and still is to create more awareness and understanding of the struggles (often hidden ones) that we live with after a brain injury.

The Brain Injury Association of Northland is a not for profit orgainsation and a Registered Charity. They provide free support, information, and advocacy to persons living with the effects and consequences of brain injury. They rely on grants and donations to provide these services and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my book go to them for the hard work that they do.

No Going Back

By Mhairi Collins

For sale inquiries contact Vanessa Gray at northland@brain-injury-org.nz

For further information on the Brain Injury Association of Northland click here.

By William C. Jarvis Ed.D. 

After traditional therapies at the hospital are done and the survivor is ready to go home or be semi-independent, he she should be ready to implement the Jarvis Rehabilitation Method.  Ideally, he will meet with a coach several times on an out-patient basis to begin implementation. 

Dimensions are introduced and discussed separately by Skype or phone.   Objectives and goals will be established for each Dimension by the Survivor and his/her coach.

The survivor will record daily progress in either time spent working on the objective or recording a tally mark that the activity was accomplished. This may represent each attempt for the day.  There is also an opportunity to make daily written comments concerning progress.

The survivor must keep focused on working on present objectives and begin new ones as appropriate to his/her situation.  Improvement may not be recognized day to day; however, the Survivor will see and feel improvement within four to five months.  Instead of a single focus for improvement, a multiple approach has benefits that are personal encouragement as well as improving in one dimension has a positive effect on other dimensions.  Therefore, the Survivor us motivated to continue strategies for improvement and psychologically affirms he/she is getting better.

After participating in this program for six months, the Survivor is administered the same Assessment Test for engagement in life.  It is evident by contrasting scores on an Excel bar graph and a personal experience that improvement is affirmed.

Each participant will be provided conclusive charts to represent the representative scores from the beginning of participation in this program to the ending scores of improvement.  This basic concept is encouraged in subsequent months or years.  Improvement is maximized by continual effort and commitment.

About the author

Dr. Jarvis has been awarded both the 2002 Achiever of the Year by the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association for Outstanding Communication Improvement and the 2010 Perseverance Award  by the Brain Injury Association of Indiana  in recognition of his courage, hard work, optimistic outlook and dedication to recovery. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Improvement through Motivation

By William C. Jarvis, Ed.D.

To purchase this package email wljarvis57@hotmail.com or call 260 438 7400

Package A – Includes the Improvement through Motivation – Jarvis Rehabilitation Method Manual for $49.75

Six Phone or Skype 30 minute coaching sessions for $60.00

Shipping of Manual - in the Continental US (USPS First Class) $6.00

                                                                                                           Total $115.75

For more information go to http://billjarvis,.org/

by

Rosemary Rawlins

 Learning by Accident depicts the slow unraveling of a caregiver after her husband suffers a life-altering head trauma. It is the true story of Rosemary and Hugh Rawlins, and their teenage daughters, cushioned by a community of family and friends, during two tumultuous years that began in April, 2002.

After the phone call, the rush to the hospital, two emergency brain surgeries, and a coma, Rosemary is determined to help Hugh find his way back home to his children. But everything Rosemary learns about brain injury shocks her system anew. A large chunk of Hugh’s skull has been removed and put on ice in the hospital freezer. Once an athletic business executive, her husband must now relearn the most basic activities like brushing his teeth or putting on his clothes in the right order. He has no short-term memory and a myriad of symptoms she has never heard of before: pocketing, left neglect, and loss of executive function. With his strong character, management salary, and athletic resilience, Hugh once supported the family in nearly every way. Rosemary’s task of holding their lives together while helping him heal feels daunting enough, but she cannot counsel or lean on the one person she needs most—her husband.

Learning by Accident is a compelling story of family love and commitment, and the secondary trauma that remains with caregivers after all the hard work is done. Touching and triumphant, Learning by Accident shows how fear can be more debilitating than any injury—and that shedding fear can lead to peace and to living the possibilities we had once only imagined.

SYNOPSIS

Learning by Accident

On a sunny spring day, in an ordinary kitchen, Rosemary answers an unexpected phone call. A car has hit her husband, Hugh. He’s about to undergo emergency brain surgery. Plunged into twelve months of marathon caregiving, Rosemary works herself to exhaustion to bring him back home and back to himself. But just as Hugh begins to reclaim his life and ride his bike again, Rosemary falls apart. She can’t sleep. Her heart pounds. Her joy and trust in the world has dissolved into endless anxiety. 

How can she let go of fear? What can she learn from it?

Learning by Accident is a caregiver’s story of ambiguous loss, family love, and emotional healing. This compelling personal account demonstrates with heart and humor that fear can be more debilitating than any physical injury. Along the way, Rosemary discovers that starting over is exactly what we sometimes need.

In an odd twist of fate, the accident becomes her greatest teacher.

About the Author 

Rosemary Rawlins holds a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Human Resource Management from the University of Richmond, VA. She lives with her family in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Learning by Accident

By Rosemary Rawlins

To order your copy today, simply click here.

Reviews

“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

By Janet Miller Rife

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.

Janet and Brian

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.

Many things have not changed. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of death and injury to thousands of men, women, and children. TBI is the “signature injury of the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan,” according to a November 2009 article in Exceptional Parent magazine. Survivors of TBI and their families still struggle to secure the correct diagnosis and treatment; contending with insurance companies is nearly inevitable.

Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams covers, in personal and readable detail,  issues that are still very current. My daily journal entries will resonate with families and educate TBI survivors, families, chaplains, physicians (from neurosurgeon to general practitioner), therapists, and community integration specialists.

Chapter 1 - Panic, agony, confusion, despair, faith and hope. Brian is in a coma. We’ve entered a wholly foreign world, the shock trauma center in Baltimore. We find surprising sources of strength and support, even humor.

Chapter 2 – Life or death decisions, insurance dilemmas, petitions to the Governor of Virginia, therapists who unfailingly bring us hope. Friends visit Brian and help call him back into life. We decide to go public with a reporter from The Washington Post  (See “Patient No. 18,874,” four-part series, June 8-11, 1986). We celebrate Brian’s breakthroughs with our faith community.

Chapters 3 & 4 – Five months after his injury, Brian moves to Mount Vernon Hospital for rehabilitation. Under the guidance of physiatrist, Dr. Roger Gisolfi, months of painstaking speech therapy re-open his frozen jaw, physical therapists bring movement back to his legs.  Finally, he enters BRIDGE, a day program that ended with no transitional living program, still a scarce option for TBI survivors.

Chapter 5 - Our family prepares with predictable angst for Brian’s return home. We find a counselor to work with us and Brian’s younger siblings, Sheri 19, Eric 14, and Dan 10. Our oldest son, 23-year-old Scott, was then a senior at VirginiaTech. Eighteen months after his injury, Brian was coming home, needy as a newborn babe. Job trials and vocational training follow with disappointing outcomes.

Chapter 6 – Brian discovers a remarkable mission for himself, through a chance encounter with Bridget Wyrick. He gives talks to several thousand high school students. During the early 90’s, Brian never failed to captivate and educate his young audiences. He saved lives.  His business card announced:

BRIAN SAYS: SAVE YOUR BRAIN, BUCKLE UP!  DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! 

Chapter 7 – Brian’s own revealing voice, interviewed by Theresa Rankin, a friend who also survived a TBI. Theresa is now a nationally known advocate and educator.

Much has happened in our story in the ensuing years since 1994, but Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams delivers a timeless and dynamic educational message for TBI survivors, their families, and all who walk with them on this arduous journey. 

Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams

By Janet Miller Rife

To order a personally signed copy, contact the author at  janet@rifes.org

or

Click here to order your copy today from Amazon.

By Annie Pixley

The caregivers and families of severely injured veterans, many of whom have traumatic brain injury and blast injury, face ongoing emotional and financial pressures.  There are thousands of unpaid caregivers, mostly parents, spouses and siblings, who assist vets injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, as they struggle to get through each day.  Many caregivers do not receive military benefits, and have had to quit jobs, move out of their homes and deplete their savings in order to care for their family member.  And since many caregivers of veterans are women, that puts additional strains on family responsibilities.  These family caregivers carry some unique burdens….they have had to endure the excruciating wait for the veteran’s return home after deployment and then eventually being there to help with the healing process of the physical and emotional wounds.  These burdens can be lifelong, creating frustrations for caregivers and veterans alike. 

Family caregivers can get more information on accessing services and resources supporting recovery by going to the National Resource Directory.

Veterans’ disabilities are not always service-related, including chronic illnesses and other health issues linked with aging.  However, the caregivers of veterans with combat-related injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, paralysis, etc., make up the majority of critical cases.  

In May of 2010, President Obama signed into law the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, enabling family caregivers of seriously disabled veterans to receive required training and certification, access to ongoing support services, counseling and mental health services, as well as respite and medical care and a personal caregiver allowance. 

Information specifically for families and veterans dealing with PSTD and TBI can be obtained from Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc.at  www.lapublishing.com.  

References:  

Medical News Today – kaiserhealthnews.org,   vawatchdog.org,

Sherri Snelling – www.rl.tv/shows/Taking-Care/resources.cfm?id=17

Recommended Reading:

Explaining Brain Injury, Blast Injury and PTSD to Children and Teens 

By Marilyn Lash, M.S.W., Janelle Breese Biagioni, Tonya Hellard

When a parent is injured, sons and daughters often feel confused, scared, anxious and angry. This guide helps parents explain the physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and communicative changes that can follow a brain injury, blast injury or PTSD. Using examples from children of all ages, it helps them understand their emotional reactions to a parent’s injury or PTSD. Each chapter has an exercise for children and practical tips for children, parents and professionals.
 
 

Understanding the Effects of Concussion, Blast and Brain Injuries

A Guide for Families, Veterans, Service Members and Caregivers

Published by  Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc.

Blast injury, PTSD and brain injury guide for families and caregivers on the consequences of concussion in veterans. Used by many VA Hospitals and Army Medical Facilities.
 
 

Brain Injury – It is a Journey

By Flora Hammond, M.D., Tami Guerrier, C.T.R.S./L

This brain injury book for families explains consequences of traumatic brain injury and gives strategies for coping with changes in the survivor’s physical abilities, memory, attention, thinking and emotions.

Managing Care and Services after Brain Injury

By Donald R. Hood, B.A., Marilyn Lash, M.S.W., Ann Glang, Ph.D., Bonnie Todis, Ph.D.

Information and tips for families on adapting professional case management skills and applying them to managing care and services for a brain injury survivor at home and in the community.

These and other books on brain and blast injury to veterans, and the effects on caregivers are available from Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc at www.lapublishing.com/blast-injury-ptsd-military-veterans/.

By Carol Edwards

“‘God, are you there? Can you hear me? It’s Fuella, the firefly. I’m down here!’

The Firefly Who Asked Why is the heartwarming story of a young firefly in search of answers. With her bright light shining every night, Fuella wonders why she has been made differently. After all, no one else lights up the night!

With the help of her friends on the savannah, Fuella will find out the secret and the wonder of the things that make her different.”

Excerpt

Fuella the firefly lived quite contently with her mother, father, sisters, and brothers deep in the grasslands, far away from villages, huts, or even people. There were no dogs barking or babies crying or children laughing. There were only the endless windblown grasses and the animals that roamed there. Fuella had always been a very curious little firefly and was forever asking her mother and father “Why?” about just about everything. Why did the wind blow? Where did the pretty colors of the rainbow come from? Why did the flowers smell so nice?

About the Author

Carol Edwards is an elementary teacher in Central Indiana. The author of Why Jeffrey? Why Us?, Edwards writes a story to help children who have physical and mental challenges better understand why God chose to  make them just the way they are. Edwards also writes a column in her county newspaper. She and her husband are the parents of one grown daughter.

To read more of this great children’s book see below!

The Firefly Who Asked Why 

By Carol Edwards

Click here to order your today!

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 different. 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.

By Sonya Rulli

Sonya’s Story is a revolutionary, easy to use guidebook designed to help both the patient and caregiver. It begins with the truestory of Sonya’s learning experience as she overcame the obstacles of suddenly becoming the caregiver for her mother-in-law, a stroke patient. Sonya was overwhelmed by the gap in care and information available once they left the hospital and rehabilitation professionals. It was out of this frustration that she developed The Miracle Mind program.

As a caregiver you are not alone in asking, “What am I suppose to do for my loved one?” and “Isn’t there something out there that can help me?” Yes – this book is THAT SOMETHING.

The beginning chapters will:

• Empower you with knowledge and resources
• Provide step-by-step instructions to cut through the chaos
• Furnish easy to use forms to help organize the activities of your new role
• Give you THE checklist for “Information you need now!”
• Review critical safety challenges and how to overcome them
• Discuss the importance of taking care of yourself with creative tips on how to accomplish that goal

That is just the beginning. The Miracle Mind also provides hope for the patient. For the patient, isolation can be a serious issue. A lack of socialization can contribute to depression and slow the progress of recovery. Engaging the patient in conversation and activities with family and friends is a vital step to avoiding this problem.

However, we often do not know what to do or say when visiting a person who has gone through a serious illness.

The second part of this book will:

• Replace the awkwardness felt by visitors with positive, enjoyable experiences
• Provide worksheets that are designed to help the patient retrain their brain
• Give families cherished time with their loved one

The Miracle Mind program provides the tools needed to give you and your loved one a better quality of life.

To order your copy today, click here!

Sonya’s Story

By Sonya Rulli

Click here to read her first article, Five Myths About Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

By Robert Lamar Durland Sr.

Was written like the blind leading the blind in a matter of speaking.  First, at the age of 59, God replenished my mind in remembrance and then toward a learning ability where I struggled trying to break through the barriers of brain damage.  Yes, brain damage from many childhood accidents.  Today, looking back at the age of 66 to when I first started writing, I truly recognize the defeatist problems trying to break through a stubborn wall of poor self-programming and wrongful maturity.  Only, now after 7 years of listening and walking with Him, I truly recognize the value of what education and His mercy will achieve, through love, devotion and strong will power to succeed.  I realize, without going to prison on November 20 2003 for sexually abusing a minor in 1986 I would still be asking God why am I this way.  Properly still working 14 hours a day, never moved to Summerville S.C. in 2005, never went on two mission trips, one to Uganda Africa in 2007 and Haiti in 2008.  Never learned how to communicate or comprehend, how to write, how to pray, how to finally read a book with understanding, how to overcome shyness, how to love or how to recognize His blessings.  Mostly, how to walk and talk like Jesus Christ and be thankful for the chance, to share, in helping others that are following my past footsteps of wrongness.

This testimonial story allows God the entire glorification, how He revived a sinner as I from death four times, before the age of fifteen.  How He watched over my life unto forty-nine?  Then for the next ten years, how He allowed this future of recognition until fifty-nine.  How prison in 2003 made the happiest day of my life, starting with God’s prediction in 1986 of writing a book about my life of trials and tribulations.  Yes, a book written by faith and God blessing the hands, heart, and mind writing His words.  Here in prison, God’s book is born, coming alive for five and a half months of incarceration.  After released from prison, I continued in working hard every day with my business and I continued with great patience in learning and writing eight hours every day, for the next six years.

God and I have communicated forever; even though I remained very confused in many ways, I know He was all ways listing with His everlasting love.  Throughout the many years of writing “Why Am I This Way” God’s presence and love was all ways there with great joy and everlasting victory.  As the educational skills He allowed entered my mind, the knowledge and love for this world matured at fantastic speeds.  We all know when God’s Spirit rest within our mind/spirit His love alters the paths of unrighteousness, bearing ripe fruit with the gaining of true love and success.  I know, writing a bold statement as “Anyone can learn” is very true for through Him all is possible.  For through faith and dedication, not only can we learn, also the growth we acquire through patience develops continually, forever and ever.  Many times I wonder where I would be today unraveling my confused mind earlier in life.  Then looking at all the paths and directions proclaiming so many minds throughout all those years, I thank Him that my life was not any worse and for all His blessings.

To order “Why Am I This Way” click here

By Robert Lamar Durland Sr.

458 pages

By Janet M. Cromer

This book chronicles the seven year journey Janet shared with her husband after a massive heart attack and cardiac arrest left Alan with a severe anoxic brain injury. In an instant, the brilliant physics professor and prolific author lost his abilities to read, write, walk, talk, think, and remember. With intensive rehabilitation and ongoing cognitive rehab with janet at home, Alan did regain his essential abilities to varying degrees. 

In a memoir brimming with information, Janet describes how the couple composed a new life with meaning and gusto. While a full recovery was not possible, Alan made an equally valuable “Best Choice Recovery” by making the most of every opportunity to learn, contributing to others, and finding new ways to enjoy life.

The story is told from both Alan’s perspective, and Janet’s perspective as his caregiver. She honestly explores the changes in their relationship, ambiguous  loss and grief, caregiver stress, and the process of empowerment and reinvention. The challenges faced and coping strategies shared are relevant to families of adult survivors of all types of brain injury.

About the Author:

Janet M. Cromer is a psychiatric RN, licensed psychotherapist, support group facilitator, educator, and advocate. She speaks widely at conferences, hospitals, support groups, and community events. 

As a freelance writer, Janet specializes in feature articles for publications serving healthcare professionals, patients, and the public. The American Medical Writers Association/NE Chapter awarded Janet a Solimene Award for Excellence in Medical Writing in 2006 and 2008.

Janet also writes personal essays and poetry. As a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), she encourages people to get in touch with their creativity in any form or media. Creativity is much more than an artistic process and product. Creativity is the energy, goodwill, and attitude we bring to daily life.

You may  contact Janet at janetcromer2@gmail.com or visit her web site at http://janetcromer.com/

Professor Cromer Learns to Read: A Couple’s New Life after Brain Injury

By Janet M. Cromer

Professor Cromer Learns to Read: A Couple’s New Life after Brain Injury is the recipient of a Solimene Award for Excellence in Medical Communication and Neal Duane Award of Distinction from the American Medical Writers Association – NE Chapter.

To order, click here!