Product Description
First shocked with horror and despair after her son’s traumatic brain injury, Dixie Fremont-Smith Coskie and her family grow to find hope, healing, and even greater love. Dixie’s narrative of how she came to appreciate the simplest of things-when her son is able to blink his eyelids, lift his finger, utter a word-is powerfully moving. It will bring you into a realm where body, mind, and spirit are pushed to their limits. UNTHINKABLE is about perseverance, filled with universal lessons of struggle and triumph. Dixie follows each chapter of the harrowing journey with vital insights to assist others through their tragedies. A Companion for Caregivers – Powerful tips and tools to help any parent faced with a child’s traumatic injury or illness.
Unthinkable: A Mother’s Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph Through A Child’s Traumatic Brain Injury
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The history of coski' s of women travel by tend of the accident of its son and convalescence is moving and emotional. Although it is recommended as ' helper' s Companion " with a focus on families of pati
In addition to the harrowing story of how she fought to help her son survive a severe brain injury, Dixie Coskie’s “Unthinkable” offers something else: valuable lists of questions and coping strategies for different stages of the journey. As someone who lived a similar journey with her husband, I can say that these lists would have been invaluable at that time. Since there is no way to be prepared for a loved one having a brain injury, these lists are the next best thing. Following their guidance could provide at least tiny bit of sanity and clarity when your world is spinning off its axis.
Dixie spares no detail of the horrors of the days and months after an accident left Paul, one of her eight children, with a severe traumatic brain injury. Several times, the intensity of her emotion almost caused me to stop reading–but I couldn’t put the book down. Her story pulled me along. I had to know what happened to Paul and her and the rest of their family.
Dixie is equally honest about her own reactions and emotions. She, too, suffered greatly from Paul’s injury. When she finally breaks under the strain for a time and is diagnosed with PTSD and a debilitating physical condition, she reveals the often-hidden story of family caregivers. They, too, must cope with unwanted, terrible changes, and sometimes the strain is too much. Family caregivers like Dixie are the unsung heroes of this kind of story, and they often do not receive the attention they need to sustain their own well-being. In her excellent list for family caregivers, she writes, “It is not a weakness to know your limits and to ask for help. ” Fortunately, Dixie learned how to better care for herself and was able to recover and keep going.
Rating: 4 / 5
You may never know what you would do when you are presented with a true life and death situation. In “Unthinkable,” Dixie Coskie shares her most intimate and honest feelings as well as her fears as she walks through her son Paul’s harrowing journey as he recovers from a brain injury. As I read the book, I held my breath praying that Dixie, Paul and the entire Coskie family would make it through this horrific experience. I marvel at Dixie’s strength to begin again each day. And I am touched by Paul’s courage to keep going no matter how difficult the process became or how bad the odds of recovery were.
This is a must read for anyone dealing with or touched by someone dealing with a brain injury or difficult medical illness. You will find some sanity as you read Dixie’s no-nonsense and honest approach to dealing with one of life’s most difficult moments. She will give you the courage to get up and keep going when you might otherwise want to give up! Dixie’s honesty and compassionate love for her son and her family will indeed touch your heart.
Rating: 5 / 5
Coskie’s words are more than a stories. They are a rescue line for me. I only wish it was available at the beginning of our journey to recovery from my son’s brain injury. The book has helped me break free from the isolation, in the fact I am not alone. I realize many of the thoughts, pain and experiences are not exclusive to me. I have not given up my hope and faith, although at times, I hang on by my fingertips. Unimaginable has strengthened my hold and has reilluminated our path and actually renewed my strength. I am really looking forward to tomarrow.
I recommend it to anyone dealing with brain injury or sick child. Especially if they are in the beginning of their situations. It has wonderfully, helpfull tips. Tips that come during a time when simple thought processes could be such a chaotic mess.
Rating: 5 / 5
Absolutely amazing and insightful! I know the family, my children grew up with the Coskie children. My daughter Jessica was great friends with Paul in school. Just being a part ofthe community and watching the poise and determination of this mother , child and family first had was a amazing! Unfortunately all this hit too closeto home for me as my daughter Jessica was involved in a head-on collision this past May and I also know the first hand affects of having a child who barely cheated death and now has a a brain injury. Luckily Jessica is moving along well thanks to the team of doctors at Scott & White Trauma ICU in Temple Texas. My heart goes out to all who have had to deal with this type of incident and the Coskie family is truly inspiring!
Rating: 5 / 5