Overview

On a sunny spring day, in an ordinary suburban kitchen, the phone rings. There's been an accident. In one heartbeat, a family's life is changed forever. After her husband, Hugh, is hit by a car while riding his bicycle, Rosemary Rawlins is plunged into twelve months of marathon caregiving, without the promise of a positive outcome. She works herself to the point of exhaustion to bring her grievously injured husband-who suffered a traumatic brain injury, necessitating the removal of half his skull-back home and back to himself. Then, as he slowly begins to reclaim his life, Rosemary falls apart. She can't sleep. Her heart pounds. Her joy and trust in the world dissolve into endless anxiety. She lays awake at night wondering how her marriage will survive. Will she ever be able to relate to Hugh again? What will become of their relationship? Their children? Do they recognize each other-literally-as the people they fell in love with and married decades ago? How can she let go of her fears? And what can she learn from them? Learning by Accident is a caregiver's story of ambiguous loss, family love, and emotional healing. This compelling personal account demonstrates with heart and humor that what we fear can be more debilitating than any physical injury. And that sometimes starting over is exactly what we need.

Full Product Details

9781628737776

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Reviews

For anyone who had suddenly been plunged into an alternate world by a phone call, Rawlins's honest and searing account of her family's journey through injury and recovery will ring true for anyone who has had a loved one with a sudden traumatic injury. Her keen observations, emotions, and the sheer resilience of her spirit speak to hidden jewels and ultimate redemption that can be found on the flip side of any bad thing.' -- Lee Woodruff, New York Times bestselling author of In an Instant and Those We Love Most A fast-paced, anecdotal blow-by-blow account of lost brain function, of rekindled love, medical genius, laughter and pain, of setbacks and redemptive renewal. -- Bill McKelway, Richmond Times-Dispatch Learning by Accident provided me with a much richer understanding of the emotional devastation [traumatic brain injury] causes. This book will make you cry, laugh, give thanks, and believe in the power of love. -- Anne H. McDonnell, executive director, Brain Injury Association of America Rawlins writes her inspiring memoir like a professional surfer rides the waves, with precision, passion, and persistence. She shows us what it is like to suddenly be thrown into the role of caregiver, guiding us to survive the turbulent waters of traumatic brain injury. -- Dixie Coskie, award-winning author of Unthinkable Learning by Accident is a gripping, unforgettable account of the relentless stress, exhaustion and, at times, profound rewards of being a caregiver. Rosemary Rawlins perseveres in tending to her husband as he recovers from a devastating brain injury; she keeps hope alive even when it seems he doesn't recognize her and every medical setback threatens to mark the beginning of the end. She is a compelling narrator, sharing her self-doubt and loneliness with honesty and absorbing detail. Thanks to her spine of steel, loving daughters, and loyal friends, Rosemary finds new meaning in her life and ultimately learnsA

Author Information

Rosemary Rawlins is a writer and speaker, currently blogging for BrainLine.org, an award-winning multimedia WETA site. She sits on the advisory board of the Virginia Commonwealth University's TBI Model System of Care (TBIMS). She lives in Glen Allen, Virginia.

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