I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury [Paperback]

Kara L. Swanson (Author), Mike Chrumka (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0933670044 | ISBN-13: 978-0933670044 | Publication Date: October 1999 | Edition: 1

In January 1996, a van speeding through a red light ended the life Kara Swanson had known. She suddenly joined the 2 million Americans who suffer brain injury each year. It was like being thrust into a foreign country with no map, no way to speak the language, no directions home.

"This is the book I wish I could have read when I was first diagnosed with a brain injury," Kara writes. I tried to take the information that it took me months and years to learn and put it into a short, easy-to-read book that would help survivors and their loved ones better understand the process of recovery."

Written with laugh-out-loud humor, candor, and technical input from medical and legal profesionals, "I'll Carry the Fork!" offers inspiration and practical help to anyone dealing with the aftermath of brain injury. Because as Kara says, "Sometimes when your life ends, you don't actually die."

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kara Swanson's remarkable story provides a very meaningful glimpse into the life of someone who has been changed by a head injury. By sharing her personal triumphs and challenges she gives us a new sensitivity for the countless people and families who focus each and every day on their recoveries. Both Kara and her book are special. -- Marian Bayoff Ilitch, co-owner Detroit Red Wings

Read this book! Even if your life has not been touched by injury, you will be enriched and inspired. -- Adrienne Shepperd, RN, BSN, MSA, The Lakeland Center

About the Author

Kara L. Swanson was born in Madison Heights, Michigan in 1965. She attended the University of Michigan, and before her accident worked as a catering manager for the Detroit Institute of Arts. She was also an athlete and serious sports fan, and has developed a special relationship with the Detroit Red Wings, three of whose members suffered brain injury after winning the 1997 Stanley Cup. Kara is now a full-time writer and lives in Center Line, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Rising Star Press; 1 edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933670044
• ISBN-13: 978-0933670044
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #630,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courage To Recover, August 23, 2000

By 

Shirley Ross (Manitou Beach MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury (Paperback)

Being a head injury survivor myself, Kara's book, "I'll Carry the Fork" was a turning point in my own recovery. With Kara's ability to put into words, what I had kept in my injured mind, helped me to let go of the feelings of worthlessness. Through her book, Kara helped me laugh at my frustrations and forgetfulness..I learned that to laugh is to heal and see the human side to my perfectionistic past. To read her words, gave me comfort of being understood..and to be understood gave me the courage to recover. "I'll Carry the Fork" expresses everyday challenges for head injury survivors, and changes the focus of feeling defeated by our trauma; to find the strength within us, to accept ourselves as the "chosen people" to teach others, head injury or not, that life is what you make it. Every day is a gift. Kara shows us all that we should be brave, face our fears, and never give up on our yesturdays, todays and our tomorrows. After reading her book, your life, your thoughts and your daily outlook will be changed forever. This is a powerful book. I am a better person because of it. I challenge everyone to read it..enjoy the words of wisdom...then read it again.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll Carry the Fork!, August 30, 2000

By 

Susan and Leanne Schwind (Troy, MI and Mentor, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury (Paperback)

It's amazing that Kara has been through so much yet remains adamant to keep her life as "normal" as possible. Her motivation to help others through sharing her hardships and lessons-learned is truly inspiring. She enlightens those who are not aware of the day-to-day struggles that people with closed head injuries endure.

Kara has compiled an effective "guide book" for others, who like her, have experienced this life-changing injury. She describes the road to recovery as painfully slow and full of unexpected "potholes", and the importance of celebrating each of the small successes along the way.

We've given copies of this "survival" book to friends who have a family member who may be the victim of both head injury and the ignorance of others about this. Hopefully, they will be inspired and comforted by her candidness and her triumphs.

Through her delightful humor and dogged determination, Kara brings hope to many. We wish her continued success on her courageous journey!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real, humorous and helpful, March 29, 2005

By 

Carla A. Spurgeon "Jafra District Manager" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury (Paperback)

Kudo's to a brave woman for sharing her pain, insights and laughter with all of us.
Recommended for survivors, caregivers and health care professionals.
Do not let the light-heartedness of these stories fool you. This is the real thing from someone that has been there and lived to tell.
I am so thankful for Ms. Swanson's book as it has helped my own family to better understand my personal closed head injury journey through the writings of this amazing author!