Fall Back Up

About the Book

Fall Back Up  Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury is a journey through the incredible horror of a family members head injury through a tragic accident.  Expressed through the use of poetry, the book describes the struggle of a seventeen year old young man to survive his near death experience.  The author of the story is the mother of the young man, Luke.  She chose poetry as the writing technique because of poetrys ability to touch our emotions in a simple and majestic manner without a lot of excess sentimentality.

The book is divided into four sections called Adventures by the author.  These are: Intensive Care, Neuro Ward, Rehabilitation, and Home and Beyond.   From coma to the frightening awakening to Lukes struggle to walk and feed himself to his eventual difficulties at home and school, this book doesnt flinch from telling the truth.  This is the story of family that wont give up.  From the first day Luke is helicoptered to the hospital and enters into a coma, the family closes ranks to survive.  

As told by his mother, she is herself in conflict with the death of her father six weeks previously.  She discovers strength in herself she did not appreciate, and the deepness of mother love is one of the themes of Lukes story.  She holds his hand as he lies in a coma, washes his sweat as he shakes horrifically upon wakening, helps him learn to drink liquid again and hold his utensils, and is there on the day he stands and walks down the hall with assistance.

This story is also about the love of father and brother as they participate in his rehabilitation and assist him with his memory and other related problems.  His brother at age fourteen is there for him constantly, participating in his rehabilitation. His father must deal with his feelings of helplessness, allowing himself to cry.  

The mother also questions the existence of God, and finds herself face to face with the most internal feelings of mankind  is there some kind of God, and what does the power of prayer mean?  This is not a religious book, but it is a book of spirituality and comprehension, and does let the reader appreciate the power of love and prayer, and the freedom to question an ultimate power.

The book is also a study in head injury, and the types of problems a victim can face, particularly once they have entered into rehabilitation.  Memory problems, motor skills, emotions, and schooling are all issues that face Luke as he recovers slowly and painfully.  Family frustration with rehabilitation therapists, psychologists and the system are also expressed through poetry.

For any reader who has experienced a head injury or has a family member with a traumatic brain injury, the author hopes this book will interest you.  Nurses, physicians, therapists and others are encouraged to read this poetic account of a young man and his great courage, and perhaps they will see themselves and gain a better understanding of their impact on the family that is struggling to maintain their balance in the every day world.  

To any reader who needs an uplifting story and loves excellent poetry, Fall Back Up will not disappoint you.

About the Author

Alice Bailey Nervig grew up in the beautiful state of South Dakota. She graduated from Black Hills State University in 1974 with a degree in English literature and history. She and her husband Mark moved to Spokane, Washington in 1978 and have made this location their home. They have two sons, Luke and Spencer, and a Newfoundland named Lucy.