Paper Cranes: A Mother's Story of Hope, Courage and Determination

by Cheryl Koenig

Cheryl Koenig's life changed forever the day her twelve-year-old son Jonathan was involved in a horrific car accident. Given very little chance of survival, Jonathan was in a coma for six weeks and doctors predicted that even if he did pull through he would most likely never walk, talk or be able to eat again. But Cheryl refused to accept this prognosis and together with her husband Robert set out on a relentless and ultimately successful quest to save Jonathan and prove the medical profession wrong. Now, twelve years since the accident, Jonathan has defied the odds and lives a rich and fulfilling life. And Cheryl couldn't be prouder of her son's achievements and the remarkable person he has become. The message that shines through is that together with persistence, determination, family and love, almost any challenge can be faced and conquered. If we maintain hope in the face of adversity, we can all achieve what some may see as impossible dreams.

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Cheryl Koenig OAM, is a Sydney-based writer and motivational speaker.
With Just One Suitcase is her fourth book – the family’s memoir. Her previous publications are Paper Cranes (2008), The Courage to Care (2007) and
There’s always hope: just alter the dreams (2006).
Cheryl was named 2009 NSW Woman of the Year, and in 2014 received the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to people with dis¬abilities, their families and carers. Her involvement with disability services arose out of caring and advocacy for her son who was severely injured in a vehicle accident. That story was captured in her earlier book Paper Cranes. Cheryl continues to volunteer her time to improve health care services, which she combines with her passion for writing.
With Just One Suitcase is Cheryl’s homage to her father, Frici, and her father-in-law, Istvan; and her belief in the importance of history to understanding ourselves.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book. I'm interested in brain injuries and neurological diseases. I thought a story about a boy overcoming his brain injury and going on to live a normal life would be a great story. I couldn't stand the writing style though. It starts out with the major event happening. It's before we know the characters or feel a connection to them. So it's like watching the whole scene fold out in a disconnected state. I couldn't connect emotionally. I stopped reading in chapter 2. I came across a page that had an exclamation point on at least one sentence in each paragraph.

I think this book is better suited for family members and friends that want more of an inside view of what happened. Probably the same for people who followed the news stories.

I don't regret buying the book. I read somewhere the proceeds are going towards brain injury research and I think that's a great thing.

[Ria Kurniasih · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmm, perjuangan seorang ibu, sebuah keluarga yang tak pantang menyerah mewujudkan apa yang telah diyakini nya walau banyak orang yang meremehkan dan tidak percaya anaknya akan sembuh,jonathan,seorang anak yang cerdas dan begitu disayangi keluarga, teman-teman dan orang sekitarnya,hidup normal dengan segala prestasinya,pribadi yang baik dan ramah, seketika pada usia 12 tahun entah apa yang sebenarnya terjadi, tiba-tiba hidupnya berubah tragis, dia tertabrak mobil sehingga mengalami cedera otak yang sangat parah.. berminggu-minggu mengalami koma, tapi berkat kerja kerasnya dan semangatnya untuk bisa kembali menjadi keluarga yang bahagia, kini vonis-vonis dokter yang dulu seakan ingin membuatnya pasrah dan putus asa,jadi terkalahkan oleh kenyataan bahwa jonathan bisa kembali bahagia meski butuh waktu yang cukup lama, bartahun-tahun dan pastinya finansial serta kesabaran, ujian yang tidak sedikit...

[Anne (w/ an E) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms Koenig's experiences involving her son Johnathan made me understand what my mother went through when I was in Johnathan's shoes. My injuries were a little different [his right side was damaged and mine was the left] but I can identify with what he went through in recovery. My 'story' wasn't made into a book or recognized by famous people but my mother did as much for me as Ms Koenig did for her son and I will never be able to repay her for that.

[Kaye Arnel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly a heart touching story. The mother is drawing so much strength within - too make her son fight is way out of the coma, back into a world, that will be a slow recovery. So far easy reading.

[Victoria Ogden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing read for anyone who has helped a loved one through a TBI. We too were told our loved one would live in a vegetative state needing full time care after a TBI. Like Cheryl, we weren't prepared to accept that either...

[Gerda Taulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

very inspiring

[Susi Simanjuntak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a touching true story.
I love this book. :-)

[Sophie Crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read, liked how it’s a real life story.