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“If I OחƖу Hаԁ a Brain Injury іѕ a page-turner аחԁ a mυѕt-read. It іѕ a testimony οf tһе power οf believing іח oneself, a rіɡһt survival tаƖе.”
–Alina Oswald
“Tһе ‘Oz’ analogy іѕ something I һаԁ never tһουɡһt οf аחԁ іt іѕ perfect. … Tһе book wіƖƖ bе a fаחtаѕtіс resource. … I especially Ɩіkе tһаt уου offer ways tο deal wіtһ tһе emotional impact οח survivors, friends аחԁ family members. Yουr book wіƖƖ bе οf fаחtаѕtіс һеƖр tο families. I see іt аƖƖ th… More >>
There’s a lot of excellent information in this book, even for healthy people, some excellent insights and motivation, common sense and many useful and diverse resources. Well written, with skillful analogies to the Wizard of Oz. I reflect it has the the makings to help a lot of people. If I was injured, I wouldn’t hesitate to pass it on to everyone who knew me.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book, I gave to a family member as a GIFT. I did skim through parts of it,and found it to be heaven sent. Thank You!!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
I really was only going to read this book to arrange myself for the radio interview with this author (May 29, 2008 on In Small Order at [...]). Instead, I found myself glued to the pages of valuable information from a patient’s view. By reading this book, those who know or take care of a person with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) will be better able to know what the victim is going through – a better handle on things makes for a better friend/family member or care provider. Those who treat TBIs would benefit from this book more than most – what you can’t see on tests can be learned here and therefore validate the diagnosis more quickly so that treatment can start at an earlier stage. For those with a TBI, Lyme disease, or any disabling affliction, this book is your pair of ruby slippers.
Bruno equates a TBI to The Wizard of Oz classic. Although I have Lyme disease (which in many cases can be likened to a TBI), and can tell and benefit from this book, I never saw it place so simply – and well written. Just as Dorothy is whisked to another place, it is the same with most injuries and illnesses. We leave the life we know for a place we have never been before (and few want to make it a vacation spot). Come take the first step on the yellow brick road – where the journey to recovery starts.
Glinda (as we remember as the excellent witch) starts us on the path. Contacting organizations and support groups is an vital step. Who doesn’t need support, information, and to hear from others on virtually the same path? There are many things to do to arrange us for the first steps to recovery, but often we forget where we need to start. Order is the way to end chaos. Support is the way to end aloneness. And information is the way to the next steps that must be taken if recovery is the goal. And don’t forget, some who have grown accustomed to your disability-state may not want you to recover – learn why in “If I Only Had A Brain Injury.”
There are the ruby slippers and the wicked witch. The information in this section is most caring because it starts us focusing more closely on ourselves. Here we can start to turn the injury or disease into a new beginning. When we beat ourselves up or refuse to acknowledge what we cannot change, we slow or halt our journey. Forgiveness and identifying change are excellent things.
Okay, we’re on our way. We may not be skipping yet, but we can add pep to our steps when we look at what can remove some of the stumbling blocks that have been preventing us forward movement on our road to recovery. Bruno learned that buying quality electronics (a computer monitor) cut down on her headaches and faintness; which allowed her to work; which enabled her to earn a paycheck; which helped her to feel she was still in Kansas.
There are more thoughts that are open in this work – classical music, relationships with animals, and cultivating new friendships, to name a few. These will open new doors in the land of Oz and you may even learn new things about yourself that you never knew existed.
In “If I Only Had A Brain Injury,” Bruno has given us a map of the Pea green City, introduced us to the Munchkins, and provided a beacon for anyone who is associated with injuries and disease. It is a one-of-a-kind book.
This a must read for all, with hopes that you find an owl in your life, too.
Sue Vogan
[...]
Rating: 5 / 5
If I Only Had a Brain Injury is a perfectly conveyed book that is not only practical, simplistic, and full of simple to apply tips and tremendously caring, thorough resources, but is also an artistic expression of genuine experience and compassion that takes one on a journey through Oz. Utilizing Dorothy and her friends’ experiences to illustrate our own unfolding life processes makes a tangible and easily unwritten analogy, and coupled with Laura’s own personal experiences, truly hits home and makes a relateability that transcends all boundaries. This is not only caring for those with TBI and medical challenges as listed, but truly is a guideline and means of support for any and all challenges in life that can be simply applied. Finding myself challenged in overly mental focusing and truly not having the desire to do so either, I found Laura’s book wonderfully supportive to this. It was simple, quick, and very clear, with nothing to have to read between the lines or mentally figure out. One can open the book to any page and find something valuable easily without it feeling out of context. This works well for people like myself who either don’t have time to read, don’t have much desire to read, or small focus to do so. You can pick up and leave off at any point and never feel lost and get exactly what you need at every turn. Laura is a gorgeous example and expression for us all and one can only look forward to more wonderful books to come from her.
Rating: 5 / 5
I wish I’d had this book when I was searching for my road to recovery from CFS! It is an brilliant resource for people with TBI, MS, CFS, FM, Lyme Disease or other debilitating “mysterious” chronic illnesses and injuries. It’s also an brilliant resource for care givers and health providers.
It doesn’t take long to learn that this book offers than tips for feeling better. By The Wizard of Oz tale as an extended metaphor for finding and compelling the road home to recovery, author Laura Bruno presents a “traveler’s guide” with 52 suggestions for the journey from disease to integrated healing on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of our being.
The book is user friendly, especially for people with brain fog that impairs their ability to read and comprehend written material. Laura’s writing style is straightforward, concise, and simple to digest. The chapters are small and can be read and absorbed as units within the whole. Key points are open in bold type, suggestions are in “bullet” format.
With compassion, warmth and humor, Laura tells her tale and invites readers to stay on our “Yellow Brick Road.” She points out some of the bends along the way, turns that may seem scary but are really opportunities to change aspects in our life that no longer work and may be hindering recovery.
The book includes unique sections for health providers and caregivers, and some fantastic inspirational tales from survivors of these kinds of life-changing illnesses and injuries.
I highly recommend this book!
Rating: 5 / 5