Rating: 
Summary: A real Eye-opener
Review: As a Paediatric Surgeon, I have been responsible for the care of many children with acute Brain Injuries. However, I have never been able to follow them up over years following such injuries. A friend loaned me this book because of the fact that her son-in law was suffering the long-term effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I then realised that I will need to alter my practice and follow these patients for a much longer time. What really frightened me was just how short a time Dr Osborn was unconscious and how devastating her injury has been. This might be a good book to give to teenagers and young adults who think that the risks they take in cars and on bikes may have consequences far greater than they appreciate.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening
Review: As an individual who works with people with various disabilities this book certainly enlightened me on what it means to be an individual with a traumatic brain injury. the challenges and daily struggles were so clearly stated, it helped me to better understand what some of the folks I was working with were unable to so clearly articulate to me. I shared this book with 2 individuals with TBI, their families, and several of my colleagues. 1 of the indiv. with TBI stated ~That's me, thats what I've been trying to get people to understand!" He then shared the book with 2 other folks who knew him. A book that has been a long time coming, and I look forward to the new book Claudia is reportedly working on specifically for individuals with TBI. Keep the great enlightenment coming!
Rating:
Summary: Exquisitely written and poignantly told
Review: Claudia Osborn is an incredible woman. This talented and compassionate doctor has managed to get on with her life despite a debilitating brain injury suffered after she was hit head-on by a car while riding her bicycle one summer's day in 1988. Over My Head is the story of her road back to living a meaningful and full life and the struggles she faced during her rehabilitation. Osborn's book is exquisitely written and her story poignantly told. Through her words, we are given the opportunity to peek into the world of the survivor of traumatic brain injury. Osborn gives a picture of realistic hope to survivors of TBI and their families and does it with sensitivity and a wonderfully puckish sense of humor. We are blessed to have this woman in our midst.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read by anyone experiencing a TBI
Review: Claudia Osborn is an inspiration to anyone who has a traumatic brain injury or anyone who loves someone who has experienced a TBI. This book clearly explains what the life of a TBI patient is like. It helped me so much to better understand the way my husband feels on a daily basis. Things that he has been unable to communicate to anyone before we have been able to discuss since I have read this wonderful book. We also have experienced seeing Dr. Osborn in person and she is just a wonderful person to share her life so that others may learn from what happened to her. Please buy this book if you love someone who has a TBI.
Rating:
Summary: A Caregiver Thanks You
Review: Claudia Osborn shared the experience of a survivor so clearly that my newly-injured partner was able to recognize her own experience. We started reading this book together after she was discharged from the hospital and starting in the rehab day-program, only 10 weeks post from a "mild" brain injury. Sometimes she had to take a break for a few days because the feelings were so intense. As a result of sharing Claudia's experience, my partner was able to realize that returning to work "right away" might not be the best choice, and went directly to a wonderful cognitive rehab program.
Rating:
Summary: Must read for patients with mild/moderate TBI
Review: Claudia Osborn's autobiographical tale provides insight into the mind of a head-injured patient. A successful physician prior to her injury, she describes the frustrations, indignantsies, and adventures imposed by her traumatic brain injury. This book does not focus on tragedy but on the strength of human will and positive thinking to overcome adversity and rebuild a new life. Being a medical professional with a mild traumatic brain injury myself, I strongly identified with the author's story (I laughed and cried through the entire book). I found advice, encouragement and hope in this easy-to-read book. I highly recommend it for those who have experienced a mild/moderate traumatic brain injury and their families, particularly for those with professional backgrounds.
Rating:
Summary: making headway!
Review: Claudia Osborn's spirit, determination and courage shines through her entire account of the journey of her recovery. This writing has been the most helpful to me as a head injury survivor. Her medical background has given her the ability to describe the symptoms of her disablity in an informative and intuitive manner. Some of the connections she has made and observed have been extemely helpful. Her personality has provided a readable as well as informative work. In the head injury group I learned each injury is different and the manifestations may not be the same for each one of us. The solutions have to be drawn from many sources. I appreciate that Osborn's account included as much of the literature does, an emphasis on the danger of substance abuse including alcohol for a brain injured person. Her description has articulated what many tbi survivors are unable to do for themselves: to tell their own story.
Rating:
Summary: making headway!
Review: Claudia Osborn's spirit, determination and courage shines through her entire account of the journey of her recovery. This writing has been the most helpful to me as a head injury survivor. Her medical background has given her the ability to describe the symptoms of her disablity in an informative and intuitive manner. Some of the connections she has made and observed have been extemely helpful. Her personality has provided a readable as well as informative work. In the head injury group I learned each injury is different and the manifestations may not be the same for each one of us. The solutions have to be drawn from many sources. I appreciate that Osborn's account included as much of the literature does, an emphasis on the danger of substance abuse including alcohol for a brain injured person. Her description has articulated what many tbi survivors are unable to do for themselves: to tell their own story.
Rating:
Summary: Breath taking and so True it Hurts.
Review: Claudia's book has brought a real insight to my family. I received a TBI on October 26, 1996. Shortly after being discharged my parents came across this book. They read it then prompted me to. Thankyou Claudia for sharing these trauma's with us and for letting me know that I'm not the only one with these difficulties. Further down the line I hope to be a neuropsychologist and help out others as I know you have helped many. Thankyou Claudia and god bless. You have made a traumatic experience a little more bearable for me, my parents and two older siblings. I really can't thank you enough and congrats to you as well. Your a great woman.
Rating:
Summary: Traumatic Brain Injury, Understand the Challenges & Changes
Review: Dr. Claudia Osborn does an incredible job of relating the life altering experience of a Traumatic Brain Injury, (TBI). This is a very informative, easy to read & understand book covering the misunderstood and confusing changes and challenges an individual and their loved ones experience after a brain injury.
She does so from her perspective as a professional that experiences and learns to manage permanent losses and changes which a person with TBI must learn to understand, accept, and manage. This book is a must read for brain injured persons, their family members, friends, and care providers, as well as all professionals, (Physicians, Psychologists, Counselors, Lawyers, Emergency Medical professionals, families & patients, etc.). Anyone that even potentially has any contact with a person with a brain injury will benefit from this hard to put down, easy to read & understand book. It is humorous in places but educational, enlightening & informative throughout.
A TBI is too often unrecognized and misunderstood. As a medical clinician with extensive Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine experience, and myself being brain injured several years ago, I know that many brain injured persons go without adequate diagnosis or treatment. The physical and psychosocial changes that a brain injured person and their families & friends face are frequently undiagnosed, misunderstood, and improperly treated. The statistics on brain injuries are alarming. I strongly encourage laypersons and professionals alike to read this book.
Thank you Dr. Osborn.
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