Title: A Matter of Panache: A Career in Public Education. A Traumatic Brain Injury. A Memoir of Surviving Both
Author: Debra Sanders
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1432728164
Pages: 332, Paperback
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Nicole Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
A Matter of Panache: A Career in Public Education. A Traumatic Brain Injury. A Memoir of Surviving Both opening chapter starts in Brevig, Alaska where Debra Sanders began her life as a “Village-hopping, tundra-trekking school psychologist.” Debra writes about her many exciting experiences in Alaska. Some outrageously funny, some frightening, some obstacles that face her path which force Debra to think quickly on her feet and make split second decisions. Brevig, Alaska is lacking in modern day living amenities that we all take for granted.
Debra Sanders’ life changed instantly when she got in a serious car accident. Initially she didn’t think anything was wrong. She felt perfectly fine, except for a slight pressure feeling around her head which she wasn’t too concerned about, considering that everything else felt normal. However days later things began to change drastically regarding her ability to think clearly and to comprehend normal every day tasks. That is when real concern came over Debra, realizing “Yes, something is indeed terribly wrong.”
The nurses told Debra she just had a mild concussion, and she just needed a little time to heal and she would be fine. Progressively things were getting worse with Debra’s health. Debra had so much fear because nobody told her what to expect. She was never given a pamphlet or any relevant information on brain injuries. She was sleeping endless hours throughout the day. When she would awake she would still be tired. She rarely recognized visual landmarks and faces that she should have recognized and remembered. Light was becoming a problem for Debra’s eyes and also her head. She had to manage the light by having blankets over the windows. Often her sleep would be interrupted by intense, blinding headaches that would leave her rocking in bed with pain and torment. Every small little task was a struggle for Debra to do. It would sometimes take hours just to do one simple assignment, not to mention dealing with all of the emotional aspects of having a brain injury.
Debra’s recovery process was long and arduous which is a non-stop process. She had to relearn everything, which was a constant battle. You will feel her raw emotions of pain, anger, sadness, and most importantly you will feel her strength to live and fight hard to regain her independence. You will get to know a resilient lady who has a soft spot in her heart for children. I sincerely believe that Debra fought hard to get healthy and whole again for the children so she can continue to help them. You will get to know her wonderful support system of close friends who helped Debra through this exhausting journey. You will learn about her travels to Colorado, Utah and at Fort Carson.
Debra’s story is not meant to shock or seek pity, and is not a story of complete triumph–although there is plenty of redemption. For me it is more a story of acceptance, love, and commonality with all. She takes the reader through the darkest moments of her life into a place where peace and happiness come to fruition. This book is candid but not brutal.
Everyone will enjoy this book. The reader will learn a great deal about themselves and life. I certainly did. There isn’t any person for which this story wouldn’t apply to, we all experience trauma and pain –its how we choose to live with it that is the ultimate quest.
