Excerpts

Preface

Brainlash is written in concise chapters that deal with specific topics pertaining to recovery from mild brain injury. As you may have noticed, the print is easier to read than in most books. It is larger, bolder, and more widely spaced. The text is also printed on paper that has a lower-than-usual glare factor to address your sensitive eyes. You may find that wearing sunglasses or placing a sheet of colored cellophane over the page will further improve your reading ability and comfort.

The short chapters are designed to fit your attention span, delivering brief, powerful aids to your healing process.

You may use this book for as little as six months or for as long as two to three years or longer. During that time, you may notice the various layers of recovery and you may deal with the same issues repeatedly on new levels of complexity. Recovery from a brain injury is generally a longer-term experience. Two years may be a minimum length of time. You may find yourself referring back to chapters you thought you had “done.”

You may wish to work very slowly and deliberately. If necessary, at first you may even wish to have someone read the book to you. This is a great way to get started. And because I encourage journaling as early as possible, taking short notes may be how you begin journaling. Dictation to another person may be your first stab at it. The key is, find a way to begin journaling.

This book benefits mildly brain-injured people who wish to know more about recovering from their injury. It assists family members, spouses, significant friends, and family acquaintances in understanding and coping with the condition of their loved one. It instructs doctors and healthcare providers in the experience of their patients, especially when the patients cannot articulate for themselves. It provides attorneys who represent brain-injured clients with a clear enumeration of the consequences, short-and long-term, of their clients’ lifestyle. It enlightens health insurance companies to the struggle faced by their insured. It focuses and encourages employers to implement the options available to retain their employees. And finally, the book informs all support systems members to the needs and choices available to provide optimal care and service to the brain–injured person before them.

Brainlash provides brain–injured people with an articulate interpretation of their experiences. Translating the sequelae is often taxing to the individual, so the consequences of their injury are frequently left unspoken or inadequately and frustratingly misspoken. The simple act of explaining the situation causes tremendous fatigue.

I wrote Brainlash to make sense of my experience – and to share what I have learned along the way. I offer it as a way of understanding the depth and breadth of the road ahead for everyone involved in the process of recovery. It is my hope that your journey will be enhanced, enlightened and supported thereby.