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A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury

Louise Mathewson (Goodreads Author)

4.57 · Rating details · 14 ratings · 4 reviews

In February 2003 author Louise Mathewson emerged from a two-week coma following an auto accident in which she had suffered a traumatic brain injury. At first unable to walk or make herself understood, she resumed writing as soon as she could and found the process transformative. The poems in A Life Interrupted depict her healing journey and provide hope to patients and car ...more

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Paperback, First, 121 pages

Published October 2012 by Pearlsong Press (first published January 1st 2012)

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Oct 14, 2012 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Disclaimer: This book was written by my friend's mother. It is a memoir in poetry about her experiences after she was involved in a car crash that left her in a coma for 2 weeks and with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I was moved to tears by her poetry. To have gone from having no language when she awoke from her coma, to this lovely prose is truly amazing. You understand what her experiences were like trying to navigate a world she no longer has a map for and must learn to rewrite her own map. ...more

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Aug 29, 2013 Debbie Hampton rated it it was amazing

As someone who had a serious brain injury, I could so relate to the sentiments expressed in these poems. Following the natural progression of healing physically, emotionally, and mentally post injury, the poems start out expressing the bewilderment, shock, and grief arriving with a brain injury and evolve to communicate hesitant acceptance and hope. Finally, the last poems convey a new understanding of reality, energy, and appreciation of life. I wish I had had access to this book when I was in ...more

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Feb 15, 2016 Sheree rated it it was amazing

'Traumas are about transformations,' wise words that begin Louise Mathewson's new poetry collection 'A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury' and also close it, reinforcing the transformation that takes place within these pages. What is remarkable about this collection, detailing one woman's experience of a brain injury resulting from a car accident, is the journey towards the Self that the writer takes the reader on. In vivid and concrete imagery, the reader comes to understand this life c 'Traumas are about transformations,' wise words that begin Louise Mathewson's new poetry collection 'A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury' and also close it, reinforcing the transformation that takes place within these pages. What is remarkable about this collection, detailing one woman's experience of a brain injury resulting from a car accident, is the journey towards the Self that the writer takes the reader on. In vivid and concrete imagery, the reader comes to understand this life changing experience through up close detail of every twist and turn on the road of recovery. 'Thoughts must find new neurons to relay their messages to the body.'

Before reading these poems, it was unimaginable for me to know and feel what it would be like to be alive, living in my body but have no recollection of who I was and what happened to me. But these beautiful and at times heart-rending poems show me how to imagine it, feel it and to some extent live with it.

What this collection does is put life in perspective, and makes me realise how small my woes and problems are in relation to what this poet had been through. Being ' knocked outside' the self but through the support of family and friends, as well as the healing process of writing itself, Louise is able to come home to herself, a changed person. Providing a roadmap for others in similar situations to follow. This collection does give the reader hope.

Not just vivid imagery but the structure and the refrains within the pieces all work to reinforce the disorientation of the experience and how you can go around in circles trying to catch the memories lost and not being able to hold onto them long enough to make sense. The frustration of 'learning to dance with trauma in my cells' is felt by the reader.

What stays with me long after I finished reading the collection is the resilience of the human spirit. There were dark times, times when the landscape of Louise's life all changed and she didn't recognise herself or her life. But she never gave up and finally found that golden goodness inside of herself which she probably wouldn't have found if not for this experience of suffering with a brain injury.

A remarkable collection which I will return to again and again. There is handy list of
resources and organisations at the back of this collection which is very useful for myself who has not endured living with a brain injury but can appreciate the signposts towards healing and finding a way back to the Self. ...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Louise Mathewson rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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PRAISE FOR A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury:

"Life can change in a moment. This collection of poems by Louise Mathewson provides record of a shattering car accident and the aftermath of a brain injury. Ms. Mathewson awakens from a coma to find her self and her life irrevocably changed. At first, she is unable to walk or make herself understood. Her brain could no longer abstract or remember. Although the setbacks are many, she is able to begin again. The collection will provide hope t ...more

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About Louise Mathewson

Louise Mathewson

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The internationally published award-winning author of short stories, narrative essays, and poems, Louise Mathewson’s work has appeared in numerous magazines, journals and book anthologies - including Mentor’s Bouquet and the bestselling book series, Cup of Comfort-Vol. 1 .

Over the years Louise has facilitated support groups for children dealing with the challenges of loss, including grief ...more