Prisoners Without Bars

A Caregivers Tale

by Donna O'Donnell Figurski

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Pub Date Nov 01 2018 | Archive Date Dec 31 2020

Boutique of Quality Books Publishing, Inc. | WriteLife Publishing

Biographies & Memoirs

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Description

“Laugh! Cry! G-A-S-P!"

This heart-wrenching and triumphant love story is a tale of advocacy and caregiving. Donna's husband, David, stumbled into their bedroom, his hand covering a blood-filled eye from a brain hemorrhage.

Donna called 9-1-1. David slipped into a coma. At that moment, Donna was thrust onto the path of caregiver for her best friend and the love of her life. In her debut memoir,

Donna shares how a neurosurgeon said that David would make a "great organ donor." She writes of arrogant doctors, uncaring visitors, insensitive ambulance drivers, and problematic nurses. She also tells of the many compassionate doctors, nurses, therapists, staff, strangers, family members, and friends who helped them on their journey.

Donna compellingly describes her ability to appear positive as she experiences the horror of making life-or-death decisions. As her world crashes, she credits laughter as her lifesaver. More than thirteen years later, Donna and David are living a "new normal" together.

A Note From the Publisher

This book is available in print ISBN #9781608082056 and eBook ISBN #9781608082063

Advance Praise

“Most stories about tragedies or medical journeys focus on the patient. Donna O’Donnell Figurski’s Prisoners without Bars: a caregiver’s tale is such a compelling read because it looks at traumatic brain injury through the caregiver’s lens. I related to so much of what Donna describes―from the low moments of despair to celebrating the small and large victories.”

― Lee Woodruff, caregiver and author with Bob Woodruff of In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing

“Prisoners without Bars author, Donna O’Donnell Figurski, unabashedly asks, ‘How was my vibrant, so-smart husband reduced to this?’ when her husband, a respected Columbia professor with a PhD in molecular biology, struggled with the simplest of daily activities after his cerebellar hemorrhage. Her book is a testament to the importance of patient advocacy after brain injury, and their story of reinvention and resilience is a testament to the healing power of love.”

― Rosemary Rawlins, caregiver for her husband, Hugh, who has a brain injury; author of Learning by Accident; editor for BrainLine

“In my darkest days, I was praying I would meet someone like

Donna who understood the life of being a caregiver for a brain damaged husband. It’s not an easy task. Donna has been a great teacher and example for me. I appreciate her zeal for knowledge and her helping others through their hardships. The brain damage world is such a mystery to many. I appreciate Donna for all she does to help educate others.”

―Cyndy Feasel, former caregiver for her husband, deceased former Seattle Seahawks lineman Grant Feasel, who suffered from a brain injury; author of After the Cheering Stops