Kelly Bouldin Darmofal suffered a severe TBI in 1992; currently she holds a Masters in Special Education from Salem College, NC. Her memoir Lost In My Mind: Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) tells her story of tragedy and triumph. Kelly will be teaching "TBI: An Overview for Educators" at Salem College. Kelly's "tips" were learned during two decades of recovery and perseverance; they include:Ways to avoid isolation and culture shock post-TBITips for staying organized in the face of instant chaosStrategies for caretakers and teachers of TBI survivorsLife philosophies that reject despairHow to relearn that shoes must matchWhy one alarm clock is never enough, andA breath of humor for a growing population with a "silent illness"--TBI Those who suffer from TBI should benefit from Kelly Darmofal's advice. She speaks often of the value of a sense of humor in dealing with TBI symptoms and quotes Viktor Frankl who believed that humor was one of the "...soul's weapons in the fight for self preservation." I strongly recommend her work. --Dr. George E. Naff, NCC, LPC, Diplomate in Logotherapy Kelly is a wonderful resource about TBI for survivors, caregivers, teachers, and the entire community. The wisdom gained from her own experience makes her believable; the frankness and sense of humor that she reveals as she writes makes her authentic... Kelly and her publications have become a trusted resource for our clients who are surviving from a TBI. --Barbara Saulpaugh, Regional Executive Director, CareNet Counseling, an affiliate of Wake Forest Baptist Health Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.co ÿ

Whether you are recovering from a traumatic brain injury or supporting someone with a TBI, this collection of 101 inspiring and encouraging stories by others like you will uplift and encourage you on your healing journey. With a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurring every 18.5 seconds in this country - concussions the most common - chances are you have been touched in some way by this experience. TBIs occur due to accidents and sports, and are also common in returning soldiers. The personal stories in this book, by TBI survivors and those who love and support them, will help and encourage you and your family on your road to recovery.

Amanda's Fall, with charming illustrations by Bijan Samaddar, depicts an event common in schools today. Young Amanda gets a concussion after falling and hitting her head during recess. While she can hear people talking, she cannot respond. Amanda is taken to a doctor for evaluation. Wisely, her parents ask for a prognosis, which in Amanda’s case, is a good one. Author Kelly Darmofal offers readers her third book on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), encouraging parents and caretakers to alert schools and, hopefully, doctors when any child is concussed; side effects can then be ameliorated. Studies show that Traumatic Brain Injuries represent the leading cause of death and disability in young adults in industrialized countries. According to the CDC, at least 564,000 children are seen each year for brain injury in hospital emergency departments and released. "Kelly Darmofal worked hard on recovering from severe TBI, and gained the special gift of ability to explain what she went through. This book offers transforming power to children and parents—those afflicted with TBI and those trying to prevent it." -- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, professor emeritus of neurology-neuropsychology at Wake Forest School of Medicine and ordained Baptist minister "Amanda's Fall is a delightful, much needed children’s book on Traumatic Brain Injury. Through the eyes of a child, it raises awareness, has tips for coping and offers support for those affected." -- Christina Condon NP, Neurology "Amanda's Fall is a lovely book that uses rhyme and colorful illustrations to engage young readers. Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's warm writing style makes it easy to understand the issues surrounding this potentially serious medical condition." Laurie Zelinger, PhD, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author of Please Explain Time Out to Me "This is a cute and creative story to help young children understand their world after a traumatic brain injury. It teaches them that they are not alone in their experiences. The tips for parents are a valuable resource as well. -- Mary Jane Morgan, Lower School Principal, Calvary Day School "Darmofal has an ease in the way she writes about TBI. In this sweet story, she makes a difficult situation approachable and something to discuss. This is a wonderful story to share and educate children about TBI." -- Susie van der Vorst, co-Founder and Director, Camp Spring Creek Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

Mild traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone, anytime; in cars, sports, or workplace accidents, falls, or through physical assault, including domestic violence and shaken-baby syndrome. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that 1.4 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, and that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI. Brainlash provides the tools and facts to make the recovery process more intelligible-- and to support the wide range of people affected by MTBI. For patients, family members, physicians and other health care providers, attorneys, health insurance companies, employers and others, it covers options and services, health and vocational issues, medicolegal topics, psychological and emotional implications, and more!

Lost in My Mind is a stunning memoir describing Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's journey from adolescent girl to special education teacher, wife and mother -- despite severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Spanning three decades, Kelly's journey is unique in its focus on TBI education in America (or lack thereof). Kelly also abridges her mother's journals to describe forgotten experiences. She continues the narrative in her own humorous, poetic voice, describing a victim's relentless search for success, love, and acceptance -- while combating bureaucratic red tape, aphasia, bilateral hand impairment, and loss of memory. Readers will:Learn why TBI is a "silent illness" for students as well as soldiers and athletes.Discover coping strategies which enable TBI survivors to hope and achieve.Experience what it's like to be a caregiver for someone with TBI.Realize that the majority of teachers are sadly unprepared to teach victims of TBI.Find out how relearning ordinary tasks, like walking, writing, and driving require intense determination. "This peek into the real-life trials and triumphs of a young woman who survives a horrific car crash and struggles to regain academic excellence and meaningful social relationships is a worthwhile read for anyone who needs information, inspiration or escape from the isolation so common after traumatic brain injury." -- Susan H. Connors, President/CEO, Brain Injury Association of America "Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's account is unique, yet widely applicable: she teaches any who have suffered TBI—and all who love, care for, and teach them--insights that are not only novel but revolutionary. The book is not simply worth reading; it is necessary reading for patients, poets, professors, preachers, and teachers." -- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, Professor Emeritus of Neurology-Neuropsychology, Wake Forest School of Medicine Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com From the Reflections of America Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

This is an imminently practical workbook that shows a variety of invaluable techniques to get centered, calm and organized. An effective and enjoyable guide to help you feel in charge of yourself." ~ Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. This is the workbook that all mental health professionals wish they had at the beginning of their careers. Containing over 100 approaches to effectively deal with trauma, this workbook pulls together a wide array of treatments into one concise resource. Equally useful in both group and individual settings, these interventions will provide hope and healing for the client, as well as expand and solidify the professional's expertise. Tools and techniques drawn from the most effective trauma modalities: * Art Therapy * CBT * DBT * EFT * EMDR * Energy Psychology * Focusing * Gestalt Therapy * Guided Imagery * Mindfulness * Psychodrama * Sensorimotor Psychology * Somatic Experiencing and Movement Therapies -BONUS: Book includes a link to all reproducible worksheets! Print and use with clients right away!! Praise for 101 Trauma-Informed Interventions: “Linda Curran's unflagging energy and dedication to the healing of traumatized individuals has led to a voluminous, exciting, and comprehensive, 101 Trauma Informed Interventions. This workbook provides a plethora of effective tools -- traditional as well as innovative -- that can be used in whole or as a part of a course of therapy and also as self-help. The variety of options offered goes a long way towards dispelling the (unfortunately) popular misconception that there are only a limited number of interventions that help people to recover from trauma. Survivors as well as therapists who have been frustrated by the rigidity of strict adherence to evidence based practice will be greatly relieved to find a wealth of useful strategies to experiment, evaluate, and sort into a personally tailored trauma recovery program. This workbook is a god-send for the trauma field, expanding the possibilities for recovery in a most generous way.” ~ Babette Rothschild, MSW author of The Body Remembers and 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery "Linda Curran has carefully and knowledgeably curated a practical, effective collection of interventions that actually work for trauma survivors. Any clinician committed to helping those suffering from posttraumatic stress needs to have these tools and resources to draw upon, because standard talk therapy, nine times out of ten, is simply not going to cut it. These exercises will." ~ Belleruth Naparstek, LISW, author of Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal “Drawing from the whole spectrum of trauma-based therapies, Linda Curran has compiled a sampling of practical exercises designed to help therapists and their clients better navigate the mine field that trauma work can be and find the path to healing.” ~ Richard Schwartz, Ph.D. author of Internal Family Systems Therapy "101 Trauma-Informed Interventions provides an accessible functional “playbook” for therapists committed to the rehabilitation of the client with a trauma history. In a readable volume Curran integrates diverse approaches of treatment and emphasizes the unique role that trauma plays in mental health. Underlying this eclectic strategy is the common theme emphasizing that healing will only begin when the trauma related feelings embedded in the body are appreciated." ~ Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D., author of The Polyvagal Theory "An interesting compendium of potential interventions that can be interwoven into any therapist's existing conceptual framework" ~ Louis Cozolino, Ph.D., Pepperdine University, and author of 5 books including the best-seller The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy, Healing the Social Brain (2nd edition)

This timely book reports recent progress in research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) by leading investigators encompassing translational and clinical studies. The text covers epidemiology, pathophysiology, brain imaging, cognition, behavioral sequelae, and clinical trials of innovative treatments, including new approaches to rehabilitation. The range of TBI mechanisms represented in this cutting-edge book includes closed head trauma and blast-related injury, and the spectrum of TBI severity. Chapters offer a developmental perspective, including the effects of TBI on cognitive development in children and outcome studies in adults. Contributors from various countries provide a global perspective on this worldwide health problem. The editors have synthesized the contents in a concluding chapter. Researchers and clinicians will find this volume to be an informative, authoritative reference for current TBI research.

Hit by a car while bicycling Osborn, an internist at a Detroit hospital, suffered injuries. Recounts the struggles and frustrations of a gradually learning strategies to compensate for the lack of certain brain functions. An exceptionally well-written and engaging account. PW review.

Useful information and real hope for patients and families whose lives have been altered by traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event, affecting an individual’s lifestyle, ability to work, relationships—even personality. Whatever caused it—car crash, work accident, sports injury, domestic violence, combat—a severe blow to the head results in acute and, often, lasting symptoms. People with brain injury benefit from understanding, patience, and assistance in recovering their bearings and functioning to their full abilities. In The Traumatized Brain, neuropsychiatrists Drs. Vani Rao and Sandeep Vaishnavi—experts in helping people heal after head trauma—explain how traumatic brain injury, whether mild, moderate, or severe, affects the brain. They advise readers on how emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mania, and apathy can be treated; how behavioral symptoms such as psychosis, aggression, impulsivity, and sleep disturbances can be addressed; and how cognitive functions like attention, memory, executive functioning, and language can be improved. They also discuss headaches, seizures, vision problems, and other neurological symptoms of traumatic brain injury. By stressing that symptoms are real and are directly related to the trauma, Rao and Vaishnavi hope to restore dignity to people with traumatic brain injury and encourage them to ask for help. Each chapter incorporates case studies and suggestions for appropriate medications, counseling, and other treatments and ends with targeted tips for coping. The book also includes a useful glossary, a list of resources, and suggestions for further reading.

"A collection of short stories originally published in The Huffington Post."