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To Root & To Rise: Accepting Brain Injury
An inspiring, interactive book and workbook to help brain injury survivors and caregivers navigate grief and loss, find their strengths and move forward with a changed life.
As a brain injury survivor herself, author Carole Starr knows the depth of grief and loss of self that accompany brain injury, the challenge of coping with symptoms that are misunderstood by many and the peace that can come from accepting a new life and a new self. Carole describes the journey in a way that survivors, caregivers and professionals can relate to and learn from.
Tips and strategies
Knowing that many survivors struggle with reading and remembering what they read, Carole made the chapters in To Root & To Rise short. The font size in the print version is larger than average, to improve readability. There are also spaces between each paragraph, to reduce the overwhelmed feeling that can come from looking at too much text.
To Root & To Rise is also a workbook, with optional questions in each chapter that encourage readers to take Carole’s strategies and apply them to their own experience. These questions can be answered on one’s own, with family members, with rehabilitation professionals, or with a brain injury support group.
To Root & To Rise is a unique resource for anyone living with a traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, stroke, brain tumor or other brain trauma, for family caregivers and friends of brain injury survivors, for brain injury support groups and for medical and neuro-rehabilitation professionals.
As a brain injury survivor herself, author Carole Starr knows the depth of grief and loss of self that accompany brain injury, the challenge of coping with symptoms that are misunderstood by many and the peace that can come from accepting a new life and a new self. Carole describes the journey in a way that survivors, caregivers and professionals can relate to and learn from.
Tips and strategies
Knowing that many survivors struggle with reading and remembering what they read, Carole made the chapters in To Root & To Rise short. The font size in the print version is larger than average, to improve readability. There are also spaces between each paragraph, to reduce the overwhelmed feeling that can come from looking at too much text.
To Root & To Rise is also a workbook, with optional questions in each chapter that encourage readers to take Carole’s strategies and apply them to their own experience. These questions can be answered on one’s own, with family members, with rehabilitation professionals, or with a brain injury support group.
To Root & To Rise is a unique resource for anyone living with a traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, stroke, brain tumor or other brain trauma, for family caregivers and friends of brain injury survivors, for brain injury support groups and for medical and neuro-rehabilitation professionals.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2018
48 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 8, 2023
Amazing, fantastic are not strong enough words for this book. As a person who lives with a tbi it is hard to explain daily challenges. Anyone can see a physical challenge but if the injury is not visible it can be frustrating for others to understand, as well as myself most days.
To Root, To Rise helped explain the daily challenges I could never explain in the proper way to my friends and family. It is written by a tbi survivor, written in short chapters which is great as processing and comprehension are difficult. Even with a support team it is difficult not struggle with the grief you are left with as well as adapting to live a new way of life. To Root, To Rise left me feeling validated and not alone.
If you have a loved one, friends or clients living with a tbi I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Carole for sharing your story. Much appreciation and love.
To Root, To Rise helped explain the daily challenges I could never explain in the proper way to my friends and family. It is written by a tbi survivor, written in short chapters which is great as processing and comprehension are difficult. Even with a support team it is difficult not struggle with the grief you are left with as well as adapting to live a new way of life. To Root, To Rise left me feeling validated and not alone.
If you have a loved one, friends or clients living with a tbi I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Carole for sharing your story. Much appreciation and love.
February 11, 2022
I am a spouse of a brain injury survivor, so I’m the guy that reads books for my wife to let her know if reading the book is worth her cognitive energy. As a supporter of someone managing a TBI, this book was a tonic for me as well. “Acceptance” is not just something she has to work through; I need it too. It was easy to read Starr’s book through the lens of the supporter; some material doesn’t apply, but enough does to make this a worthy read.
The large font and visual separation will be helpful for those with vision or tracking issues, nystagmus or strabismus. This book was formatted with TBI in mind. And the reflection activities at the end of each section are just good learning practice, TBI or no.
The large font and visual separation will be helpful for those with vision or tracking issues, nystagmus or strabismus. This book was formatted with TBI in mind. And the reflection activities at the end of each section are just good learning practice, TBI or no.
January 14, 2024
After months in the hospital and rehab, my brain injured son said, “I survived. How can I help others?”
Carole Starr answered that question for herself by writing this thoughtful and affirming book. Her unflinching honesty and resilience spring from each page. She chose to help others walking the journey she traversed. Start has done so with grace and kindness.
Carole Starr answered that question for herself by writing this thoughtful and affirming book. Her unflinching honesty and resilience spring from each page. She chose to help others walking the journey she traversed. Start has done so with grace and kindness.
April 3, 2023
Literally read this in 2 hours. Highly recommend for professionals or family and friends who are curious about brain injury. The design of the book was created for those with brain injury to read and interact with, but the content was phenomenal.
February 27, 2024
Beautiful. 🥹❤️
I am deeply moved by Carole Starr's unflinching honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of living with a brain injury, however, amidst the struggles, To Root & To Rise is ultimately a story of triumph. I found it to be perfectly balanced. By honouring the full spectrum of the brain injury experience, it achieves the delicate task of being profoundly uplifting and empowering without minimizing the harsh realities of living with a brain injury.
Starr's message of resilience, acceptance, and the importance of finding joy in the midst of struggle is universal and deeply inspiring. As someone with C-PTSD, I resonated with so much in this book and found profound healing and solace in its wisdom.
The understanding I gained from this book cannot be understated. Reading this book is an act of love—an acknowledgment of the struggles faced by survivors and a commitment to walk alongside them on their path to healing and acceptance. It's a powerful reminder that true compassion begins with understanding and that by sharing in the experiences of others, we can deepen our connections and exemplify the depth of true love, nurturing relationships built on empathy, support, and unwavering commitment through life's challenges.
To Root & To Rise is a gift that transcends its pages, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who has the privilege of reading it.
I am deeply moved by Carole Starr's unflinching honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of living with a brain injury, however, amidst the struggles, To Root & To Rise is ultimately a story of triumph. I found it to be perfectly balanced. By honouring the full spectrum of the brain injury experience, it achieves the delicate task of being profoundly uplifting and empowering without minimizing the harsh realities of living with a brain injury.
Starr's message of resilience, acceptance, and the importance of finding joy in the midst of struggle is universal and deeply inspiring. As someone with C-PTSD, I resonated with so much in this book and found profound healing and solace in its wisdom.
The understanding I gained from this book cannot be understated. Reading this book is an act of love—an acknowledgment of the struggles faced by survivors and a commitment to walk alongside them on their path to healing and acceptance. It's a powerful reminder that true compassion begins with understanding and that by sharing in the experiences of others, we can deepen our connections and exemplify the depth of true love, nurturing relationships built on empathy, support, and unwavering commitment through life's challenges.
To Root & To Rise is a gift that transcends its pages, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who has the privilege of reading it.
September 29, 2024
Amazingly helpful!! This book was full of incredibly thoughtful & useful prompts and gentle advice. I cried so many times. Before this book, I hadn't really read or heard from other survivors of TBI but upon reading this I know that is something I would like to correct.
It felt so healing and so grounding to hear from somebody who had gone through it too. Carole was so specific. I am grateful for her vulnerability in sharing her journey. My own injury occurred more than 7 years ago and working through this book slowly over the last year or so really brought to surface some things I needed to hear and feel. This book gave me some tools and insights that I never would have gotten without it in my isolation and lack of knowledge of the injury. It allowed me to face myself. I feel like though I have finally finished writing through all the prompts I will use them again and again when I need. Thank you for writing this book!
It felt so healing and so grounding to hear from somebody who had gone through it too. Carole was so specific. I am grateful for her vulnerability in sharing her journey. My own injury occurred more than 7 years ago and working through this book slowly over the last year or so really brought to surface some things I needed to hear and feel. This book gave me some tools and insights that I never would have gotten without it in my isolation and lack of knowledge of the injury. It allowed me to face myself. I feel like though I have finally finished writing through all the prompts I will use them again and again when I need. Thank you for writing this book!
August 8, 2019
This book is ok, but wasn’t as helpful as some in terms of explaining symptoms. I needed something more scientific and less reflective
September 20, 2023
Really good, amazing to hear from someone who’s gone through brain injury, even if hers sounds like it was a bit less serious than mine.
March 8, 2024
One of my clients recommended I read this book..gave me a detailed POV of brain injury and how I can better serve my clients/understand further 🫶🏻
November 10, 2024
Practical, validating, and actionable
March 6, 2025
An essential workbook for the journey of accepting brain injury.
June 29, 2025
I got a concussion in April 2024 and have been struggling with “i want my old life back” thoughts. One day, at speech therapy, where we work on my memory, this book came across our table during an activity and my interest was peaked. I listened to it on audible and I cried within the first chapter. To feel so validated and not alone was incredible. I’m suggesting this to everyone I know to provide more insight to my condition.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews