Woman publishes book about husband’s recovery from TBI

One New York woman is trying to make the best of a traumatic situation. Hope Moffett, whose husband, Bill was in a terrible car crash in December of 2008, has written a book about the horrific experience and the journey of recovery she and Bill have endured since the accident, which left Bill with traumatic […]

One New York woman is trying to make the best of a traumatic situation. Hope Moffett, whose husband, Bill was in a terrible car crash in December of 2008, has written a book about the horrific experience and the journey of recovery she and Bill have endured since the accident, which left Bill with traumatic brain injury.

“It is shocking to discover your loved one has turned into another person, often a person who not only does not recognize your efforts to care for him, but is belligerent,” writes Hope at the beginning of her book  “ Traumatic Brain Injury: The Long Road Back, ” according to an article by the Daily Messenger. “Published by Hope this past May and available on  Amazon,  the journal spans the six-month period after the accident. The book also contains epilogues by Hope and Bill, information about TBI, and an addendum from Hope: In a nutshell, ‘what I learned through our ordeal.’”

According to Medline Plus, traumatic brain injury(TBI) happens when a bump, blow, jolt, or other head injury causes damage to the brain. Every year, millions of people in the U.S. suffer brain injuries. More than half are bad enough that people must go to the hospital. The worst injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. Half of all TBIs are from motor vehicle accidents.

Symptoms of TBI range from headaches, vomiting, convulsions and slurred speech to the inability to awake from sleep. Long-term effects include an array of symptoms, often based on the severity of the injury. Some possible symptoms include disturbances in sleep, affected thinking, emotional issues, coordination problems, memory issues and speech disturbances.

Hope began keeping the journal soon after the crash. She told the Daily Messenger it was her intent to keep a record of things so Bill would know what happened. As Hope and Bill struggled through the daily challenges brought on by TBI, they realized that her writing could help others who are faced with similar circumstances.

“In addition to selling the book, Hope is donating copies to organizations and other places where people could benefit,” the article reads. “What she learned ranged from the ins-and-outs of Medicare and other aspects of healthcare, to the effects TBI has on behavior, personality, expectations and relationships.”