Overview

"For those of us who sometimes feel that the light at the end of the tunnel really is an oncoming train, J.T. Blakemore is living proof that we don't have to simply stand on the tracks and be run down. This is the story of a man who faces down a great deal of adversity and lives to tell the tale. In 1963, J.T. took an ill-advised ride in a '59 Hot Rod Chevy and regained consciousness twenty-eight days later. He was 21 years old. ""You might say I threw my life away for a dozen cans of beer. My bell was rung really well, and I've had one I gigantic hangover ever since. The prognosis was simple: brain damage. The effects were not so simple. Not by a long shot."" J.T.'s past provides him with the tools he needs to meet the challenges of learning to walk, talk, and see all over again. The product of a tempestuous couple who met and married on the same day, J.T.'s often humorous journey from orphanage to U.S. Marines and beyond teaches him that adversity is a fact of life. His unflinching description of his ongoing recovery and his unique insights into the thought processes of someone with ""drain bamage"" will be uncharted territory for most readers, but well worth the trip. In spite of his many obstacles, this consummate storyteller is one of the most positive, enthusiastic men you will ever meet. ""Damage to my big USMC pride would be an ongoing occurrence. On more than one occasion, I have found myself, for no apparent reason, sitting squarely on my posterior. But I have learned two positive things about falling. First: getting back on my feet has become easier with every fall. Second: living with embarrassment won't kill you."" His belief in ""patient, prayerful, persistent perseverance"" and an unflappable faith in God have served him well during his unusual journey. He has gone on to earn several college degrees, meet and marry his wife, and raise two equally strong and determined children. At first glance, you might think he's just an average guy. Till the Cows Come Home is an inspiring account of triumph over adversity -- the sort of triumph that J.T. sincerely believes could be achieved by anyone of us if we have faith, a healthy sense of humor, and (although he never comes right out and says it) a certain level of practicality. ""I have had to learn to accept the fact that everything is constantly changing, and, in many cases, remains different and difficult. That sounds almost normal. Doesn't it?"""

Full Product Details

9781604144284

Table of Contents

Reviews

Joe Blakemore is a ... long-time survivor of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). His autobiography provides the reader with rare insight into the challenges, obstacles and frustrations of living a life with TBI. Throughout the book he discusses the sources of his strength including his faith, family, and friends who help him to continue to persevere on a daily basis. The book contains useful information that provides the reader with a better understanding of what it is like to function in a society during a time when health care professionals do not acknowledge or understand traumatic brain injury. J. T. Blakemore is commended for ... his dedication to increase traumatic brain injury awareness and knowledge of health care professionals and others who work with individuals with a TBI. On behalf of the program, I am pleased to make this book available to you. I feel confident it will assist all of us in our efforts to remove the obstacles, develop the supports, and better demonstrate the compassion and professional dedication, needed to assist individuals with disabilities to be accepted and fully integrated back into our communities. - Thom DeLilla, Bureau Chief, Florida Department of Health, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, Tallahassee, Florida I have read so many books in my career. But this one stands out as not only a compelling autobiography; not only delightfully fun to read; but also a bit of a tour de' force regarding what is possible with Closed Head Injuries (TBI). Joe not only tells us what is possible, he lives it. ... I'd recommend his book for any person with TBI, or involved with a person who has suffered such a trauma, but this is also a delightful read for any of us - entertaining, funny, and motivating. It helps put our own, usually minor, problems into a different perspective. One of the best books I've had the pleasure to peruse for a very long time. - Richard K. Lyon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Tallahassee, Florida

"""Joe Blakemore is a ... long-time survivor of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). His autobiography provides the reader with rare insight into the challenges, obstacles and frustrations of living a life with TBI. Throughout the book he discusses the sources of his strength including his faith, family, and friends who help him to continue to persevere on a daily basis. The book contains useful information that provides the reader with a better understanding of what it is like to function in a society during a time when health care professionals do not acknowledge or understand traumatic brain injury. J. T. Blakemore is commended for ... his dedication to increase traumatic brain injury awareness and knowledge of health care professionals and others who work with individuals with a TBI. On behalf of the program, I am pleased to make this book available to you. I feel confident it will assist all of us in our efforts to remove the obstacles, develop the supports, and better demonstrate the compassion and professional dedication, needed to assist individuals with disabilities to be accepted and fully integrated back into our communities."" - Thom DeLilla, Bureau Chief, Florida Department of Health, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, Tallahassee, Florida ""I have read so many books in my career. But this one stands out as not only a compelling autobiography; not only delightfully fun to read; but also a bit of a tour de' force regarding what is possible with Closed Head Injuries (TBI). Joe not only tells us what is possible, he lives it. ... I'd recommend his book for any person with TBI, or involved with a person who has suffered such a trauma, but this is also a delightful read for any of us - entertaining, funny, and motivating. It helps put our own, usually minor, problems into a different perspective. One of the best books I've had the pleasure to peruse for a very long time."" - Richard K. Lyon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Tallahassee, Florida"

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available