Summary - Rollercoaster Ride

"Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)" was written to tell the story of the first year following Sylvia's partner's serious motorcycle accident and subsequent brain injury. It was also written with the hope of assisting those who are experiencing a similar tragedy realize they are not alone.

It tells of those first terrible days when her partner was in a medically induced coma as a result of his sheared brain injury. No one could say what his prognosis would be. At this stage of an injury, no one knows what will happen because no two brain injuries are the same. Life looks bleak for family members during these early days.

When he came out of his coma at ten days post injury he suffered from retrograde amnesia; he had lost ten years of his memory. Even without such a devastating occurrence, there are monumental changes in the life of a brain injured survivor and his family.

"Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)" will help readers learn that it is sometimes two steps forward and one back and that it is important not to take things personally when their brain injured loved ones become angry or verbally abusive. They will realize also the importance of setting boundaries for themselves and not to feel guilty if they wish time for themselves; or if they occasionally feel frustrated. After all, their life has changed also.

The first year following a brain injury is difficult. This is especially true when family members are battling cognitive and behavioral problems, frustration and anger management difficulties, confusion and short-term memory loss, perseveration, dependencies, possibly seizures, a change in personality, role changes and lack of motivation as well as other brain injury impairments. Depression and apathy are also often potential problems.

Included in the book are also sample cognitive exercises that the author used at an early stage in her partner’s development which helped immensely in his progress towards recovery. The author is convinced that the earlier these exercises can be instigated following a brain injury, the better chance of a more successful recovery there will be.

However, as the author points out, there will be many ‘bumps in the road’ along the way and as time goes on there are adaptations and adjustments that will be necessary to make if there is going to be a new life made. Life usually isn’t the same as it was before a brain injury; the brain injured survivor will have changed.

Any road that is not travelled alone makes the trip much easier. By reading "Rollercoaster Ride With Brain Injury (For Loved Ones)" the reader will realize that many others have travelled the road before them.