Children’s Bookwatch reviews Amanda’s Fall

The Health Shelf

Amanda’s Fall: A Story for Children About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal, author
Bijan Samaddar, illustrator
9781615994502 $26.95 hc / $15.95 pbk / $4.95 Kindle

Amanda's Fall

Amanda’s Fall

Amanda’s Fall” is a story for children about traumatic brain injury, with special information for parents, teachers, and caregivers. Written by a survivor of TBI who became an advocate for TBI survivors, “Amanda’s Fall” is written in cheerful verse and illustrated with brightly colored cartoons. Amanda is a seven year old girl who suffers a mild TBI in the course of normal play when her head encounters a rock while rolling down a hill. She does not lose consciousness, but loses the ability to speak clearly. Her teacher is able to help her by calling an ambulance and her parents, and she is evaluated at the hospital. She was diagnosed with concussion or mild TBI, and Amanda and her parents received more information about the features of TBI and ways to prevent problems and to work with results of TBI. In addition to the story for kids, there is also information for parents and caregiver on TBI, its causes, signs, and symptoms, related facts to know, and a relevant study of head injuries in young football players at Wake Forest Baptist Health. There is also a list of 12 tips for TBI survivors under A Few Tips for Coping with TBI, plus tips for friends and caregivers and teachers of TBI survivors. A list of resources includes books for parents, teachers, caregivers, and children, and helpful website links. “Amanda’s Fall” is an excellent resource for children and adults about dealing with traumatic brain injury.

Children’s Bookwatch: October 2019
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575

Alfredo's Journey: An Artist's Creative Life with Bipolar Disorder

978-1-61599-224-9
$19.95
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-224-9
Brand: Modern History Press
Binding: Paperback

More than a just a journey, Alfredo gives us a blueprint for humane treatment of mental illness

In 1981, twenty-three-year old Alfredo Zotti began his lifelong challenge of living with Bipolar II Disorder. He quickly hit rock bottom, spending time as a homeless person and turning to street drugs and alcohol to medicate his symptoms. After hospitalization and careful outpatient monitoring, he became a successful musician and completed university. In 2004, he started to mentor sufferers of mental illness, and together, they developed an online journal. Alfredo now sees mental illness from a new perspective, not of disadvantages but advantages. In his words: "Having a mental illness can be a blessing if we work on ourselves." In this memoir and critique of mental illness, the reader will learn:

  • How empathic listening and being with someone can help calm that person's symptoms
  • The power of singing to create a safe space in a community
  • Why spirituality can be a key component in the healing process
  • The connections between mental illness, artistic expression, and people who think differently
  • The impact of childhood trauma on our psyche and its role in mental illness
  • The dangers of antipsychotics and antidepressants
  • The amazing connection between heart and brain and how we can cultivate it
  • The challenges of love and marriage between partners with Bipolar Disorder

Original music composed and recorded by the author is available for download by readers

"Alfredo's story and his insights into the causes and treatment of mental ill-health are incredibly moving and impressive. His humanity, intelligence, creativity and his generosity and compassion towards people affected by mental illness and dedicated mental health professionals shine through the pages of his book."
-- Professor Patrick McGorry, AO MD PhD, Executive Director, OYH Research Centre, University of Melbourne

"As a clinician and academic, one can study and research ever known aspect of a disorder and write scholarly articles for learned journals, but none of this holds the potency of an individual relaying his or her lived experience. Alfredo does just this in his inimitable style, offering hope at every juncture to those who travel a similar road. The story should be read by clinicians, academics and sufferers alike."
--Professor Trevor Waring AM, Clinical Psychologist, Con-Joint Professor of Psychology, University of Newcastle

From the World Voices Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

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