A great collection of essays that will enable me to be a better nurse in the future. It was interesting seeing how each person’s experience was different and what helped each person. An interesting read/listen.

What a fascinating collection of essays! My sister suffered a TBI and I found engaging with these essays has greatly helped me to understand with greater context, some of the mental and physical struggles that she has gone through in her post TBI recovery. I was so impressed by the breadth and scope of the writers included and I found the process of reading this text greatly therapeutic. Excellent stuff. 5/5 stars. I hope everyone reads this book!

Impact: Women Writing After Concussion is a compilation of stories about women writers' experiences with a concussion. The contributors struggle to find answers to questions about their injury, but the research related to women experiencing this condition is limited.

The book does not focus on providing medical expertise. Instead, the women discuss coming to terms with a new normal by sharing their symptoms and reactions to their diagnosis or lack of an initial diagnosis. In addition, the book provides a forum for them to fill in research gaps by helping to advance discussions about brain injuries since the consequences of this event can be more severe for women. Ultimately, the editors state that the work creates a new body of knowledge to aid research.

I believe seeking out writers to explain these experiences offers not just powerful storytelling but also a very insightful perspective. Writers constantly use their brains to analyze and process information so they can organize, describe, and present facts and stories. As a result, the contributors can better articulate the details of their new normative due to their expertise. Yet, like injured athletes, these women are regaining their skill mastery. Most realize that the injury has altered their writing and writing process, which causes them to try and learn different approaches.

I found that the women could amplify their voices about the situations they must navigate. For example, many women mentioned that they know they're going someplace but suddenly forget where they're going. They experience light sensitivity, feel too ashamed and disappointed to ask for help, and experience disorganized thinking and inaccurate sequencing of events. A few pointed out problems eating and would avoid hearty or rich foods. Many women end up advocating for themselves since people often assume they' "look fine" or "seem okay."

The women adjusted to their experiences by developing strategies to guide them through challenging times. For instance, some women indicated that exercises, such as yoga and swimming, provided them some relief or joy. They added more time to prepare for an event, such as a visit to the grocery store, to avoid moments of confusion or disorientation. Or, they avoided crowded places. In comparison, some severe health events have treatments that lead to a pathway to getting better. Unfortunately, some women with a concussion stated that they found no relief.

I selected this audiobook because one of my family members suffered a concussion. I wanted to understand the symptoms that person was experiencing and share this book as a resource for their recovery. So, I found the book a helpful resource for understanding the situations that result or can arise from a concussion. However, I found that it can improve women's experiences with brain trauma by understanding the variety of symptoms and learning that they are not alone in their struggles.

I would love to see this book turned into a documentary or a podcast to continue the dialogue and emphasize the need for more research.

On Halloween 2020, I suffered my third concussion. I tripped while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I hit the very top of my head on a rock as I scrambled up an incline. My first two concussions were whiplash concussions (I guess? because no bumps?)

My first concussion, around 2005, happened while skiing and I hit a patch of ice. I did not lose consciousness but I was confused for about an hour and I have no real recollection of that day. However, I was fine the next day.

My 2nd concussion, in 2017, was at the dog park. I was alone at the park with my two dogs, and my last memory was saying, Come on guys! Let’s run! I think maybe Dexter took my legs out from under me? I was unconscious for about 10 minutes. I was weepy, anxious and confused for two months. Or more? I don’t really remember.

My third concussion blurred many memories between my last two concussions and since. I really struggled for 6 months or so. I tried to find a “concussion therapist.” I remember being on the phone with my insurance company looking for a provider. I cried the entire phone call because questions and decisions made me cry. She was so patient, I remember her voice thickening with tears as I struggled to make sense. We cried together.

She found me a provider 10 minutes from home. But it was at a regular physical therapy office and it was so bright so loud so many questions. I just stared at the therapist and cried. He left me in a dark room.

People would say to me, Why are you crying? I would touch my face and say, I am?

So getting the opportunity to listen to “Impact, Women Writing after Concussion” was so amazing for me! Eloquent writers and poets and essayists discussing their lives after Brain Injury gave a voice to all of my fears and confusion and silent suffering. While I was in it, i knew it is bad but i couldn’t find the right words. These women have the right words.

If you have ever had a Brain Injury or had a loved one suffer, you will find your story within these 21 women.

The narration was no nonsense. Clear and calming. And within the stories there is pain and redemption and sympathy.