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Lost in My Mind: Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury
Lost in My Mind is a stunning memoir describing Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's journey from adolescent girl to special education teacher, wife and mother -- despite severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Spanning three decades, Kelly's journey is unique in its focus on TBI education in America (or lack thereof). Kelly also abridges her mother's journals to describe forgotten experiences. She continues the narrative in her own humorous, poetic voice, describing a victim's relentless search for success, love, and acceptance -- while combating bureaucratic red tape, aphasia, bilateral hand impairment, and loss of memory.
Readers will:
* Learn why TBI is a "silent illness"� for students as well as soldiers and athletes.
* Discover coping strategies which enable TBI survivors to hope and achieve.
* Experience what it's like to be a caregiver for someone with TBI.
* Realize that the majority of teachers are sadly unprepared to teach victims of TBI.
* Find out how relearning ordinary tasks, like walking, writing, and driving require intense determination.
"This peek into the real-life trials and triumphs of a young woman who survives a horrific car crash and struggles to regain academic excellence and meaningful social relationships is a worthwhile read for anyone who needs information, inspiration or escape from the isolation so common after traumatic brain injury."
-- Susan H. Connors, President/CEO, Brain Injury Association of America
"Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's account is unique, yet widely applicable: she teaches any who have suffered TBI—and all who love, care for, and teach them--insights that are not only novel but revolutionary. The book is not simply worth reading; it is necessary reading for patients, poets, professors, preachers, and teachers."
-- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, Professor Emeritus of Neurology-Neuropsychology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com
From the Reflections of America Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
Readers will:
* Learn why TBI is a "silent illness"� for students as well as soldiers and athletes.
* Discover coping strategies which enable TBI survivors to hope and achieve.
* Experience what it's like to be a caregiver for someone with TBI.
* Realize that the majority of teachers are sadly unprepared to teach victims of TBI.
* Find out how relearning ordinary tasks, like walking, writing, and driving require intense determination.
"This peek into the real-life trials and triumphs of a young woman who survives a horrific car crash and struggles to regain academic excellence and meaningful social relationships is a worthwhile read for anyone who needs information, inspiration or escape from the isolation so common after traumatic brain injury."
-- Susan H. Connors, President/CEO, Brain Injury Association of America
"Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's account is unique, yet widely applicable: she teaches any who have suffered TBI—and all who love, care for, and teach them--insights that are not only novel but revolutionary. The book is not simply worth reading; it is necessary reading for patients, poets, professors, preachers, and teachers."
-- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, Professor Emeritus of Neurology-Neuropsychology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com
From the Reflections of America Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
- GenresBook Club
248 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2025
Courageous insights into living with a brain injury
I admire Kelly's courage and openness in telling her story. Her thoughtful and articulate account of the accident that resulted in her brain injury, her long road to recovery, and the lasting impacts on her life is told with both brutal honesty and humour. I learned so much about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); it was a real eye opener. What stayed with me most is how tenacious Kelly was in reaching her academic goals; she had to work SO hard! Today Kelly is a speaker and advocate for TBI, and is already making a difference in this world. Listen and be inspired.
I admire Kelly's courage and openness in telling her story. Her thoughtful and articulate account of the accident that resulted in her brain injury, her long road to recovery, and the lasting impacts on her life is told with both brutal honesty and humour. I learned so much about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); it was a real eye opener. What stayed with me most is how tenacious Kelly was in reaching her academic goals; she had to work SO hard! Today Kelly is a speaker and advocate for TBI, and is already making a difference in this world. Listen and be inspired.
October 15, 2019
More than just a memoir, Kelly's story is poignant yet full of hope and informative. Even giving coping strategies and hope to other survivors. Her journey is unbelievable yet encouraging for others, highlighting the lack of education for TBI in the US. It's told from the voice of her mother as well as herself giving an extra perspective.
I highly recommend it.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
I highly recommend it.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
July 13, 2017
Written in two perspectives about life after traumatic brain injury: Mother's view from injury through recovery; daughter's view of her journey to recovery from injury.
very insightful and a lot to learn from each
very insightful and a lot to learn from each
July 27, 2022
Man TBI at age 15, ROUGH. You’re going through your rebellious angsty teenage phase and can’t yet graciously accept the help that you need, and your friends are too young to know how to help
June 30, 2015
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal was your typical teenager, cheerleader, and straight-A student. She had a normal life growing up in North Carolina, but one September night her life changed. At the age of fifteen when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury.
Together with her mother, Kelly writes a touching memoir about her recovery from TBI. The first half of the book consists of journal entries her mother kept during Kelly’s time in the hospital and recovery. Through the excerpts, you get a glimpse into the struggles Kelly faced with her therapy and trying to go back to a normal life. You also feel the pain Kelly’s mother went through watching her daughter in the hospital, seeing Kelly’s emotional outbursts, and fighting with the school so they could accommodate Kelly’s needs.
In the second half of the book, Kelly describes in her own words what life was like with TBI. She talks about the troubles she faced in her recovery and in school, how she felt abandoned by her friends, her memory loss, and her battle with depression. Against all odds, Kelly was determined to get on with her life and overcome the obstacles she faced. With the help of her family, friends, teachers, and doctors; Kelly worked hard to recover from her injury and finish school. She’s now a successful teacher, who‘s main focus is campaigning for proper education for students with TBI.
Her journey is one of sadness, hope, and inspiration. This is a must-read for everyone.
Together with her mother, Kelly writes a touching memoir about her recovery from TBI. The first half of the book consists of journal entries her mother kept during Kelly’s time in the hospital and recovery. Through the excerpts, you get a glimpse into the struggles Kelly faced with her therapy and trying to go back to a normal life. You also feel the pain Kelly’s mother went through watching her daughter in the hospital, seeing Kelly’s emotional outbursts, and fighting with the school so they could accommodate Kelly’s needs.
In the second half of the book, Kelly describes in her own words what life was like with TBI. She talks about the troubles she faced in her recovery and in school, how she felt abandoned by her friends, her memory loss, and her battle with depression. Against all odds, Kelly was determined to get on with her life and overcome the obstacles she faced. With the help of her family, friends, teachers, and doctors; Kelly worked hard to recover from her injury and finish school. She’s now a successful teacher, who‘s main focus is campaigning for proper education for students with TBI.
Her journey is one of sadness, hope, and inspiration. This is a must-read for everyone.
December 29, 2015
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal was your typical teenager, cheerleader, and straight-A student. She had a normal life growing up in North Carolina, but one September night her life changed. At the age of fifteen when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury.
Together with her mother, Kelly writes a touching memoir about her recovery from TBI. The first half of the book consists of journal entries her mother kept during Kelly’s time in the hospital and recovery. Through the excerpts, you get a glimpse into the struggles Kelly faced with her therapy and trying to go back to a normal life. You also feel the pain Kelly’s mother went through watching her daughter in the hospital, seeing Kelly’s emotional outbursts, and fighting with the school so they could accommodate Kelly’s needs.
In the second half of the book, Kelly describes in her own words what life was like with TBI. She talks about the troubles she faced in her recovery and in school, how she felt abandoned by her friends, her memory loss, and her battle with depression. Against all odds, Kelly was determined to get on with her life and overcome the obstacles she faced. With the help of her family, friends, teachers, and doctors; Kelly worked hard to recover from her injury and finish school. She’s now a successful teacher, who‘s main focus is campaigning for proper education for students with TBI.
Her journey is one of sadness, hope, and inspiration. This is a must-read for everyone.
Together with her mother, Kelly writes a touching memoir about her recovery from TBI. The first half of the book consists of journal entries her mother kept during Kelly’s time in the hospital and recovery. Through the excerpts, you get a glimpse into the struggles Kelly faced with her therapy and trying to go back to a normal life. You also feel the pain Kelly’s mother went through watching her daughter in the hospital, seeing Kelly’s emotional outbursts, and fighting with the school so they could accommodate Kelly’s needs.
In the second half of the book, Kelly describes in her own words what life was like with TBI. She talks about the troubles she faced in her recovery and in school, how she felt abandoned by her friends, her memory loss, and her battle with depression. Against all odds, Kelly was determined to get on with her life and overcome the obstacles she faced. With the help of her family, friends, teachers, and doctors; Kelly worked hard to recover from her injury and finish school. She’s now a successful teacher, who‘s main focus is campaigning for proper education for students with TBI.
Her journey is one of sadness, hope, and inspiration. This is a must-read for everyone.
September 9, 2019
I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.
I was not familiar with TBI Traumatic Brain Injury. This book is written from two perspectives. The first half is Kelly's mothers journal entries from the time of her accident throw her recovery. This part was not written with a book in mind. It was written so that Kelly could know if she ever choose to read what she and her family went through. This is because Kelly had no memory of it. I really enjoyed this part of the book.
The second part is written by Kelly and gives the world an insight to what a person with TBI has to deal with on a daily basis. I found this book to be very real, very inspirational and I hope gives hope to those who suffer from TBI.
Lisa Negron is the narrator in this book and she does a wonderful job.
I was not familiar with TBI Traumatic Brain Injury. This book is written from two perspectives. The first half is Kelly's mothers journal entries from the time of her accident throw her recovery. This part was not written with a book in mind. It was written so that Kelly could know if she ever choose to read what she and her family went through. This is because Kelly had no memory of it. I really enjoyed this part of the book.
The second part is written by Kelly and gives the world an insight to what a person with TBI has to deal with on a daily basis. I found this book to be very real, very inspirational and I hope gives hope to those who suffer from TBI.
Lisa Negron is the narrator in this book and she does a wonderful job.
April 16, 2018
Thank you for writing this book
I also received a TBI at age 14, so I have traveled a similar road in the 60 years since! I wasn’t diagnosed until about 7 years ago! It was comforting to learn that the TBI ignorance in our schools and in the medical community wasn’t just isolated to my circumstances, and that ignorance is finally be dragged into the light. I thank all you dear soles who are working to do so!
I also received a TBI at age 14, so I have traveled a similar road in the 60 years since! I wasn’t diagnosed until about 7 years ago! It was comforting to learn that the TBI ignorance in our schools and in the medical community wasn’t just isolated to my circumstances, and that ignorance is finally be dragged into the light. I thank all you dear soles who are working to do so!
February 19, 2021
A personal story of TBI
Kelly's story is frank and detailed concerning her TBI. She chronicles her education to be a special ed teacher. She progressed from coma to teacher on a long and difficult journey. It turns out I was at the NCTE conference in where Wiesel was scheduled to speak as well.
Kelly's story is frank and detailed concerning her TBI. She chronicles her education to be a special ed teacher. She progressed from coma to teacher on a long and difficult journey. It turns out I was at the NCTE conference in where Wiesel was scheduled to speak as well.
April 26, 2015
Reading this book was a wonderful thing for me. I could identify with many of the same struggles and celebrations in my own TBI journey. I also recognized many of the ways Kelly's path of recovery paved the way for me, especially within the same school system.
March 31, 2015
Such an amazing story and so well-written. Kudos to Kelly, and her mother, for educating us on struggles, differences, and most importantly, trauma.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews