Quiet in the Tornado: A Disability Primer

Interspersed between the author's at-times painful accounts of surviving a life-threatening stroke, readers will find useful practical advice for coping with adult onset disability and, more importantly, life outside of the hospital.

This book offers sound, practical advice grounded in years of experience from a
woman with a terrific sense of humor. The writing is deep enough to be engaging
but written in sections brief enough to allow the reader to digest and reflect
upon the important concepts presented.

While the author claims to have written this book for people who are recovering from similar injuries to her own, their families, and loved ones, I believe it is equally beneficial for health care professionals. Carrie provides important recommendations about
interacting with people who are emerging from comas that will help health care
professionals understand what is and what is not helpful to their patients. In
turn, learning how to provide more sensitive care will reward care providers
with that wonderful feeling associated with knowing they have made valuable
contributions to someone's health and healing.

-Susan Hallenborg Ventura, Director of Clinical Education & Associate Clinical Professor at Northeastern University

Topics covered include:

Fresh Out of a Coma

For Friends and Family

Possibilities: Aim High, Start Slow

Post-Coma Nightmares and Fresh Losses
A Rainbow for the Blues: Why I Like Wheelchairs
God's Windows Explained: Dealing with Feelings of Gloom and Doom
OK, Feel Good Time: Heroes and Sheroes to Inspire Us
Calling All Vegetables: Surpassing Low Expectations
Life Threatening Disease Issues
A Burden?: Getting Out of the Guilt and Burden Trap
How to Almost Die: and Why You Should Stay Alive
How to Have Fun in the Hospital! Miscellaneous Things

Hospital Food: Avoidance Tips
How it (Usually) Works: Who's Who in the Hospital
Patient’s Bill of Rights - My Version
What to Anticipate: Small Joys
Brain Damage: Journal of my first post-coma year

Disability 101: Where to go for Housing, Work and Benefits

A Little Street Action
Before you go: From Bedsores to Bumpy Roads
Survival Tactics

You're out! Getting Around and other Post-Hospital Challenges

State House Nursing Home: Taking Political Action or Making Trouble in My Adopted Home Town

Wheelchair Flying: My Favorite Sport
The Questions: Q&A with the Author
Bibliography

Resources