On November 7th 1994, Philip Fairclough fell fifteen feet from a ladder onto a concrete patio. The impact caused massive trauma to his head and the subsequent brain damage he suffered has radically changed his life. In this book, Philip candidly describes the long and painful process of recovery. At first unable to dress himself, cross roads or tell the time, Philip underwent an intensive course of rehabilitation and occupational therapy, which slowly restored the lost skills that he had once taken for granted. His account tells of the struggle to come to terms with his injury, the hurdles he faced and overcame while in residence at a rehabilitation centre, the difficulties of readapting to family life, and finally the emergence of his new career as a writer. Like most of us, Philip never expected that severe injury would happen to him - but from the first he decided never to give up. His courage and determination characterize this account, which interweaves his own story with practical information about brain injury. Members of the medical profession, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and counsellors should all find this account helpful and revealing - as should people affected personally by brain injury, and their families and friends.
