Books for Survivors of Brain Injury

Brain injury recovery is a long journey for survivors, families and caregivers. Whether you are a civilian or veteran who has survived a brain injury, a family member or caregiver, a clinician, advocate, or direct care staff, you will find this workbook is a valuable resource and tool for living a full life after brain injury. It pulls together…

· Scientific information from evidence based research

· Range of topics from coma to living in the community

· Compelling personal vignettes to illustrate content

· Tools for personal assessment and practical strategies

· CD with worksheets for personal and professional use.

Coping with life after brain injury is not easy. This practical and user friendly workbook and guide for survivors and their families is packed with everyday strategies, tips and accommodations to address the cognitive challenges of daily life.

Based on the author's experience as a survivor and as a facilitator of hundreds of support groups, she presents a philosophy and approach for overcoming challenges, envisioning goals, and continuing their healing process.

It is a collection of “brain injury survivor wisdom” that users will be able to apply each day, no matter where they are in their journey of recovery. The workbook comes with a CD to print all forms and worksheet tools.

This workbook guides survivors of brain injury and blast injury through the powerful healing experience of telling their own stories with simple journaling techniques. By writing short journal entries, survivors explore the challenges, losses, changes, emotions, adjustments, stresses, and milestones as they rebuild their lives. Journaling after brain injury helps written and verbal communication skills and provides cognitive retraining for following instruction. It helps promote self awareness as well as recognition of strengths and difficulties after brain injury. It is a tool for planning for the future and discussions with family members. Journaling can be done individually, in a group or with assistance from caregivers or family.

Life after brain injury is, more often than not, a tremendous adjustment. This practical, easy-to-read guide addresses day-to-day issues faced by many people with brain injury.

This down-to-earth, illustrated book is backed by years of clinical experience, research findings and most of all, the personal lessons learned and advice given from many individuals living with traumatic brain injury. It is filled with worksheets, checklists, and many practical ideas offered by and for survivors. Recognizing that emotional and physical recovery are two different things, this guide tackles the difficult question of, “How can I live like this?” Topics are organized by 25 Great Ideas and feature frank discussions of the many ways that brain injury changes one’s life and the personal struggles and challenges that survivors face as they follow their journey of personal growth and recovery.

This book is included in the Survivor Tool Kit for Adults with Brain Injury

After a brain injury, people often don’t know whether they will be able to work or what else they can do. This practical guide can help people sort through the options of going back to the same job, finding a new job, or not going back to work. The book will help you find and successfully keep a job. The book also provides suggestions for volunteer work designed to help you be productive and, if you like, transition to a job that meshes with your interests and abilities.

This illustrated down-to-earth book contains checklists, worksheets, and many ideas offered by people who have learned to live and work productively after brain injury. Sample “ideas” in this book include:

• How to decide whether to keep your old job.
• Deciding whether you can afford to work.
• If you can't work, figuring out what you can do.
• What kinds of services are out there.
• What you should tell people who ask you about going back to work.

Life after brain injury can be challenging, not just for the survivor, but also for those who know and love the individual. This illustrated, down-to-earth guide is packed with practical ideas to help those who want to help — family members, friends, and others — but are not sure how. The guide includes practical advice, suggestions and tools to help families and friends:

• Recognize the effects of injury on the survivor and family
• Identify sources of distress and learn how to effectively manage stress
• Reduce frustration and master the art of patience
• Learn when and how to ask for help
• Learn how to listen and communicate effectively

The comprehensive how-to guide for psychological wellness after traumatic brain injury or stroke covers understanding the self, recovering emotionally, thinking in new ways, and changing behavior. Written in plain language and formatted for easy reading and use by caregivers, families and survivors, it is filled with practical worksheets and exercises. This is an essential tool for families and survivors on coping with the effects and consequences of brain injury. It addresses the stresses and challenges faced daily as well as the long term challenges for the future.