The Caregiver's Tale: The True Story Of A Woman, Her Husband Who Fell Off The Roof, And Traumatic Brain Injury

By Marie Therese Gass

Stories and lessons from the first year of caregiving a spouse with TBI. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965181677
• ISBN13: 9780965181679
• Release Date: January 2007
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating and Terrifying

Caregivers Tale is a fascinating and terrifying account of how quickly and often life can go out of control once traumatic brain injury enters the picture. Marie Gass was meticulous in communicating with friends and family after her husband Don's injury. This and her own practice of writing out history as it happens allowed her to assemble an amazingly detailed account of what happened to her life when Don's recovery took it over. The story is well written and very personal. It will be a great help to anyone caring for a loved one under these circumstances.

Caregiving: Love, Friendship, Frustration, Laughter

I found it hard to put this book down. It's so well written that it just draws you right in. I think it would benefit anyone who's involved in care giving. It's told from the caregiver's point of view and you feel like you're there going through each crisis as it happens. It made me realize that a trauma changes not only the victim's life, but also the lives of the family. It made see things from a totally different perspective. The first part of the book concerns the accident and it's consequences. The author conveys a real sense of the couple's personalities. You come to know and care for them through the love and friendship they share. The second part of the book deals with the following years, and living with the results of the injury. The author has been caring for her husband for seven years. She's very honest about her frustration and feelings. I think it's most encouraging for other caregivers experiencing the same emotional roller coaster to know that they are not alone, and they are having normal reactions to extraordinary situations. Anyhow, I was so impressed I bought another copy to give to a friend of mine who's her Mother's caregiver, and have recommended this book to several others.

back of the book endorsement

A "must read" for any caregiver. The detailed case study takes the reader inside the caregiver/spouse's head. Experience the confusion, the pathos, the exhaustion, the hopes and dashed hopes, and the tedium of a life completely changed by an unfortunate incident. The excellent writing style, the clarity, the humor and pathos, and the very practical issues presented make this a very valuable book. Interspersed are original verses (one of which, Living With Brain Injury, was published in NorthwestCaregiver newsletter). I laughed and cried and relived my own caregiving experiences. Marie created a protective dome to shield her from hurt. In my case, I called it the "frozen face". I could feel when my patience was stretched almost to the breaking point and my face would stop showing emotion and become a stoic mask. This would also be a valuable read for those who are uncertain how to help or relate to couples going through "chronic crisis" situations. Her reaction to "canned consolations" is eye opening. Positive suggestions are given for how friends can help instead of withdrawing. This caregiver's personal life with its art expression, the warm closeness of being a couple with her husband, the freedom to do what and when she wishes, and the joy of just "being" and not constantly "on duty, on call" was lost. I believe that one who hasn't experienced this reality first hand can't really understand or relate to the full-time caregiver role. Living Marie's experience through her perceptions, thoughts, and insights so clearly expressed is an invaluable teaching aid which should be required reading for nursing students, social work students, and all practitioners in the healthcare field. I highly recommend this book. Esther Halvorson-Hill, Professor Emeritus Oregon Health & Science University Dean of Nursing, Southern Oregon University

Dear Marie Therese Gass

I have fallen in love with your story! I find it hard not to pick up during the day, then I have a hard time putting it down. If I just say I'll read a paragraph more, next thing I have polished off 5 more pages and I'm late with something. I especially appreciate your sense of humor. I know in this crazy brain damaged world, it's important to not fall into the "poor us" abyss. The similarities in our stories are the fall, complications as the body tries to survive, the outpouring of help in the beginning. The whole range of emotions from devastation to hope to Oh my God why me. In all honesty I loved your book and yet there were times when I was scared of your book. Sometimes I needed to put it down for a few days, to give myself time to deal with the realization that my partner, although alive, may be lost to me forever. You hit the nail right on the head when you said, Progress is not always permanent. Your story made me laugh, cry, and hope for a better tomorrow. I recommend your book--you have a wonderful way with words and it helps the rest of us to finally have the words to say what is going on inside. I want to most of all thank you for helping me heal by reading this book. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for that the most. Linda Schumann Caregiver to TBI husband, beginning Year Three