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The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me
"Mike, this is Kristin. Kelly and the girls were in a car accident," the recording from my answering machine says in the stillness of my home. I hold my breath and wait for the next line, telling me, ". . . but everyone is all right." It never comes.
Imagine parents with two young children, the husband recently laid off, saddled with a mortgage on a brand-new house, when the family's minivan is hit and forced through an intersection by a reckless driver. Their lives are altered forever, but the family commits to each other through various hardships over fifteen years, encouraged when a pediatric neurologist calls their three-year-old daughter "the Miracle Child."
In The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me, Kelly and Michael Lang share their alternating and unique thoughts over the days and years following the tragic car incident that fractured their family and their lives, revealing the power of persistence, faith, acceptance, and above all, the commitment of family.
Imagine parents with two young children, the husband recently laid off, saddled with a mortgage on a brand-new house, when the family's minivan is hit and forced through an intersection by a reckless driver. Their lives are altered forever, but the family commits to each other through various hardships over fifteen years, encouraged when a pediatric neurologist calls their three-year-old daughter "the Miracle Child."
In The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me, Kelly and Michael Lang share their alternating and unique thoughts over the days and years following the tragic car incident that fractured their family and their lives, revealing the power of persistence, faith, acceptance, and above all, the commitment of family.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 18, 2022
THE MIRACLE CHILD, by Kelly and Mike Lang, is a parent’s journal chronicling a difficult and lonely journey living with a traumatic brain injury, all the while keeping a focus on the bigger picture. It recounts a devastating car accident and lengthy recovery with all the highs and lows along the way.
While publishing this book must have certainly been therapeutic for the authors, the additional benefit is for others going through similar situations, as Kelly and Mike Lang’s inner thoughts are laid bare here for all to see. I can certainly see a parent with a TBI impaired child reading this and feeling some level of comfort knowing they are not the only one to experience such an ordeal.
The Langs tell the story of their miracle child, Olivia, injured at 3 years old by a violent automobile accident, recounting all the setbacks and how they handled them, never knowing if their responses were correct and constantly second guessing themselves. As a resource for TBI survivors or, at the least, a relatable guide book letting parents know they don’t have to go through this alone, THE MIRACLE CHILD illustrates and illuminates the difficulties and stigmas sometimes associated with these injuries, letting you know there are options and, sometimes, answers. There is always hope.
I don’t think it’s a book you pick up for the good story, though it is definitely uplifting. It’s a book you read to feel a little less alone or because you are looking for help, which it succeeds at giving in abundance.
5 out of 5 stars.
While publishing this book must have certainly been therapeutic for the authors, the additional benefit is for others going through similar situations, as Kelly and Mike Lang’s inner thoughts are laid bare here for all to see. I can certainly see a parent with a TBI impaired child reading this and feeling some level of comfort knowing they are not the only one to experience such an ordeal.
The Langs tell the story of their miracle child, Olivia, injured at 3 years old by a violent automobile accident, recounting all the setbacks and how they handled them, never knowing if their responses were correct and constantly second guessing themselves. As a resource for TBI survivors or, at the least, a relatable guide book letting parents know they don’t have to go through this alone, THE MIRACLE CHILD illustrates and illuminates the difficulties and stigmas sometimes associated with these injuries, letting you know there are options and, sometimes, answers. There is always hope.
I don’t think it’s a book you pick up for the good story, though it is definitely uplifting. It’s a book you read to feel a little less alone or because you are looking for help, which it succeeds at giving in abundance.
5 out of 5 stars.
October 13, 2022
Remarkable and compelling story told in alternating viewpoints that flowed well together chronicling the immediate aftermath of the "incident" and the years following.
Loved the inspiration and hope surrounding the Lang family's incredible journey that was shared to the reader by revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Emotional and difficult read at times because of gaps highlighted in our nation's health care services including resistance to MRI's and my fear for patients who don't have extraordinary advocates like Kelly and Michael pushing boundaries for what is necessary.
This book is a must read for any family navigating the difficult path of a traumatic brain injury.
Loved the inspiration and hope surrounding the Lang family's incredible journey that was shared to the reader by revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Emotional and difficult read at times because of gaps highlighted in our nation's health care services including resistance to MRI's and my fear for patients who don't have extraordinary advocates like Kelly and Michael pushing boundaries for what is necessary.
This book is a must read for any family navigating the difficult path of a traumatic brain injury.
August 31, 2022
This book is an incredible look into the lives of the Lang family as they dealt with a very serious car accident that left their 3 year old daughter severely injured. As we learn the details of what happened and the surrounding trauma associated with finding out that little Olivia has a traumatic brain injury, the Langs do a wonderful job of bringing the reader into their lives, and the uncertainty that they lived through. It's educational as well as uplifting. We learn about the details of living with a TBI and how it impacted Olivia educationally, socially, and emotionally. But most of all, we see how their love for one another and a strong sense of advocacy allowed the entire family to heal. This is a must read for anyone dealing with a serious injury or illness, or anyone wanting to witness the power of love.
August 18, 2022
A remarkable family tale of love, persistence and resilience. An inspiring and hopeful read for all, especially those families who have faced and continue to face the effects of trauma in their lives.
January 14, 2024
Kelly & Mike Lang write a powerful account of how their lives and family changed in an instant and describe in detail their journey toward healing through love and advocacy. Their daughter Olivia IS a Miracle Child, and the resilience she shows is a tribute not only to her own inner strength but also to her parents' complete devotion to her. An important read on so many levels - understanding that brain injury can be invisible to the outside observer, but is REAL and pursuing treatment and therapies often requires significant advocacy in the medical and educational setting. Kelly and Mike were, and continue to be, tireless advocates for their daughter and for others with TBI. Their love for their family and for each other is on full display in this poignant memoir. No doubt a difficult story for the authors to share, but one that has so much for all of us to learn from.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews