Brief Description
Part One tells the story of the author’s recovery from brain injury in a direct, personal manner highlighting his loss of self-imag. Part Two provides practical information for families, rehabiitation professionals, and individuals with brain injury. Summary
Sol Mogerman was unexpectedly hit head-on
by a drunk driver in the fall of 1985. In this book, Sol tells the
story of his accident and recovery in a direct personal manner that
draws the reader into the experience. Table of Contents
Acknowledgements Excerpts
From Part I, Introduction To Second Edition It has been twenty years since my brain injury, seven since writing of the story of my recovery, and four since its publication as ”Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear”. I have come to believe that there is no end to the process of recovery from brain injury and have experienced a remarkable and unexpected return of ability and sense of self since the first publication of this book. The return of my seemingly lost ability to play the guitar happened to me in such an unexpected yet logical manner that I feel compelled to share the story of its restoration with my readership in this edition. Therefore the Epilogue of the first edition is replaced by Chapters 33 - 41 in keeping with the revelation that recovery is an infinitely progressive process that only appears finite when one stops to look at it in retrospect. From the Prologue This story is about losing one’s image in the mirror of the mind. It begins with the catastrophic trauma of serious physical injury unexpectedly transforming a friendly nurturing world into one of utter desolation and betrayal. The power of such an experience can create a psychotic break. This break is positively regulated by the body as it rushes to catch up with the violent change of condition. Assuming consciousness is maintained, an disassociation not too great, one still can know where and who one is. A brain injury, however, fundamentally alters the very mirror of reality, which we are virtually dependent upon to know ourselves. Once this mirror is compromised in any degree, physical and psychological forces immediately arise to begin the painstakingly subtle process of repair and restoration. This process is never ending… From Part II, Chapter 1. First Knowledge of Trauma To the Caregivers Published Reviews
"…an excellent illustration of some important
issues (and lessons) that must be kept in mind by seasoned professionals
and novices alike, when they attempt to help individuals with a
brain injury to regain their sense of self and their ability to
become productive members of society. This book contains invaluable
information and could serve as a source book to professionals and
students in the field as well as to survivors and their families…
a well written, engaging, edifying, and inspiring document." Reader Reviews
"I read your book over the weekend and was
absolutely absorbed by it. Besides being extremely interesting and
helpful to me as someone who's had a brain injury, I also found
the book simply to be great reading Daniel Yoon, Blue Water Films "I feel I know something of your tumultuous "trips" after reading your book...your book was so important for me to read. It touched me. Even after so much therapy…for the brain injury I suffered in my 1996 motor vehicle accident, your book brought to mind some deep questions that would never have surfaced before reading your words…Thank You. J. Loerich "My compliments on your book...I found the "Inside Brain Injury" section very helpful and have been talking about your "I Am" principle with serveral of my colleagues here... "I also found your personal story very touching...it certainly captured the disrupted thoughts and feelings which many of my clients have spoken of and it reminded me of a "poem in progress" which a client of mine wrote as he was emerging from post traumtic amnesia. "I'm sure that there are many people who can relate closely to your experiences as you have told them." Magaret Doyle |