Ride On: Adventures in Traumatic Brain Injury

by Greg Nordfelt, Sheila Ashdown

In 2011, a motorcycle accident left Greg Nordfelt with a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones. When he rejoined the world after eleven days in and out of a coma and nearly a month of memory loss, Greg found himself radically changed. Formerly an athletic adrenaline-junkie and successful banking executive, he could no longer walk, speak, read, or write. As he worked earnestly to relearn these fundamental human skills, his wife, Laura, was getting a crash-course training in her new role as Greg’s full-time caregiver. To complicate matters, while Laura was overwhelmed with grief, worry, and post-traumatic stress, Greg was having a very different experience. No one knew it, but a near-death experience had landed him into a state of euphoria, where no negativity or pain could penetrate his blissful “safe place.” The story follows Greg and Laura through the gruesome accident and its long-term aftermath as they work to rebuild their lives and nurture their marriage. Along the journey, they meet with hardships, isolation, and pain—but they also find unexpected turns, surprising gifts, and a new sense of community with others whose lives have been affected by traumatic brain injury.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2018

Reviews

[Jodi Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Nordfelt's book is a good read for anyone, but for brain injury patients and families, it is an absolute MUST READ. In the book, Ride On, Greg voices truths about TBI that are never spoken. Through the descriptions of situations he and his brave wife faced after his motorcycle accident, Greg reveals struggles that many TBI patients and caregivers experience, but are rarely addressed (or even admitted). I've read much of the TBI material, including The Brain that Heals Itself, and other books by Dr. Norman Doidge, and My Stroke of Insight, by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, and I feel Greg's book is every bit as important in the literature. His is a first-person experience, full of the real ups and downs of recovery, finding a "new normal", re-establishing relationships, losing your identity, finding your new identity, and fighting for your marriage.

The book is written as a story, so it is easy to read and keeps you turning pages. I completed the book in one sitting of just over 2 hours -- and I am better for it. I've already recommended it to many friends, specifically to TBI survivors.

Thank you, Greg Nordfelt and Sheila Ashdown, for writing a book that contributes to the TBI world and gives us all HOPE for recovery. Ride On!

[Michelle E. Fauver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Greg is the real deal.
He personally called me when my father had a brain tumor removed and gave me support and love. He helped me to understand some of the things my Dad was going through and that it was normal.
I enjoyed his full story and would recommend to anyone that has health issues of any kind, especially if there's new limitations on what you can do.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Moving, heart-wrenching, and funny all at the same time. Wonderful nuggets of wisdom. Thanks for sharing Greg.