Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury: Finding the Road Back to Normal

by Amy Zellmer

In February 2014 Amy Zellmer slipped on a patch of ice and fell, forcibly landing on the back of her skull. The impact briefly knocked her out, and when she started to get up, she immediately knew something was very wrong.

Amy had suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and was about to start a journey unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her life had changed in literally a blink of the eye. This book is a collection of her short articles, most of which were originally published on The Huffington Post. Learn about what it means to have a TBI as you read about her struggles and frustrations, like the days she can’t remember how to run the microwave, or how she gets lost driving to familiar places. Understand what it’s like to suffer fatigue and exhaustion after doing a simple task that most take for granted.

This book is perfect for TBI survivors, their caregivers, friends and loved ones. It is a great book for survivors to give to their supporters so that they, too, can understand what those with TBI are dealing with on a daily basis.

“Amy’s book not only offers insight and details on brain injuries, but it also sheds light on an often-over looked and misunderstood issue. As a traumatic brain injury survivor, it gives me hope that one day the traumatic brain injury community will finally get the recognition and help it needs.”
★ Ali Wallace, Miss Oregon 2015 & TBI survivor

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2015

About the author

Amy sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in February of 2014 after falling on a patch of ice and landing full-force on the back of her skull. She is still recovering and understanding the full scope of her injury.

She is an author, professional photographer, and creative coach located in Saint Paul, MN. She is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post, and a loud and proud advocate for TBI awareness. She travels the country with her Yorkie, Pixxie, and brings awareness everywhere she goes!

She believes that the healing process begins with the telling of your story, releasing everything that you’ve been bottling up inside. Her goal is to tell other survivors stories, and share their images. TBI is an invisible disability that many don’t understand. She wants to bring an awareness and understanding to the world, and hopes that people will have more compassion for those who look seemingly fine (but inside are struggling with memory or cognitive issues, such as herself).

She is addicted to Starbucks, Miss Me jeans, and all things pink and glittery.

Reviews

[Rosanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury: Finding the Road Back to Normal is a collection of Amy Zellmer’s articles originally published on The Huffington Post describing the devastating consequences of “just a concussion” and a “mild” traumatic brain injury (TBI) and her courage and commitment to recovery – her own and others with TBI. Because it is a collection of short articles, some information is repeated, which I thought would be good for readers who’ve experienced TBI. Turns out, the repetition is even more valuable for people like me who have been fortunate enough to not experience TBI.

TBI so profoundly affects the most basic functions like balance, memory, mood and problem-solving, it’s nearly impossible for people who don’t experience it to imagine life with it. With Amy’s articulate reminders of the effects and pragmatic suggestions for how we can appropriately respond and support people with TBI, we can move into compassion and empathy for everyone whose brain functions differently than our own.

If you have TBI, Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury can be an ambassador for you: ask your family and friends to read it. If you know someone with TBI, Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury is an outstanding source of information and a gentle reminder. If you are or know someone between the ages of 1 and 44, chances are Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury will be an essential asset; as Amy highlights, “TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults from ages 1 to 44.”

If you’ve read this far, what are you waiting for? Go buy the book!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because my husband has a traumatic brain injury and the author has a great Facebook group for TBI survivors and their families. The book was not bad but also didn't really give me any new information. But then, we have lived with brain injury for eight years. It did provide affirmation and the knowledge that we're not alone and that it's NOT "all in your head," so I very much appreciated that. Too often brain injury sufferers are told there is nothing wrong, simply because the injury is too much of a mystery to the medical community. But there is definitely something wrong, and it's horribly frustrating and offensive to be talked down to by doctors, to have it implied that the person is exaggerating their problem. This book, I think, would especially be great for the newly injured and their families. I wish I had had this information when my husband was first hurt. There was nothing out there then.

Head injuries have come to the forefront because of football players and soldiers, and while I am not happy to see anyone suffer a head injury, it is good to finally see it taken seriously.

[Donia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick and easy read and I found the information both enlightening and informative. I passed the book on to a friend who experienced TBI last year as an encouragement. I think she often feels that she should be over this by now, that no one believes how hard the healing is or that it takes a long time to heal. It is always good to know that you are not alone.
Thanks for the book,Amy.

[Heidi Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a terrific resource for those suffering from traumatic brain injury and their family members and friends. Amy speaks from experience and bravely shares her struggles and what is helpful to her from others. Our family has someone who has suffered from a traumatic brain injury. Amy points out how no two traumatic brain injuries are alike, but just as individual as snowflakes. This book will help us in communicating with and supporting our family member. Since a TBI can seem like an "invisible injury" to others, it is helpful to know some exhibiting signs when out in public. With this information we can possibly recognize someone struggling and be more compassionate. This is a great read and information. I'm sharing it with my family member and their significant other.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have every fallen and hit your head, you will be able to relate to author Amy Zellmer’s slip on the ice. This book is filled with nuggets of information about the seriousness of head injuries and how easily the medical community can miss the aftereffects; this book covers physical, emotional, and social ramifications. Especially useful is tips for coping with traumatic brains injuries and the contents for a healing care package. A brief list of resources is included.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. The authors first hand experience and compassion for people and families with TBI is so compelling it makes this book hard to put down. Great great book so grateful to have read it

[Caroline Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of articles written from the perspective of a survivor. While it offered little for what I am searching for, it was encouraging to see recovery is possible. I’ll never give up on my loved one......

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for people to read if you have had, or know someone who has had a traumatic brain injury. Amy talks about her new normal, and getting back to that. A lot of things I would never think about, she covers. Little things that can help someone with a TBI. Things that people with TBI go through that I would never think of, or just assume since they seem ok, everything must be ok.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the author, I have a TBI. It's a great book! In my case I was a 19-month-old boy who accidentally got run over by my mom's car. I was in a coma for about a couple of months and given very little chance of survival. I believe Amy Zellmer would call that a severe TBI, and I agree.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good basic book on TBI for brain-injured people to read. It has short chapters, little medical info, and lots of hope. I recommend other books for the loved ones of brain-injured people.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short collection of Huffington Post pieces on TBI - very relatable for mTBI. Contains anecdotes, ideas, and resources.