More Than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir

Description

At seventeen, Barbara's daughter Jennifer is in a horrific car accident and sustains a traumatic brain injury that sends her into a two-week coma. Once she awakens, a unique disability presents itself: Jenn lacks any traditional method of communication. Unable to speak or function on her own, Jenn must relearn basic life skills in a rehabilitation facility while Barbara and her family struggle to piece together their lives, now forever changed. When it becomes clear that Barbara and her husband cannot care for Jenn on their own, they move her to a group home. Over time, three creative, lighthearted women become Jenn's caregivers, and with their support Jenn reenters the community and experiences travel and adventure, all while capturing the hearts of those around her with her engaging and quirky personality. Despite her disability, Jenn connects with everyone in her life. And Barbara ultimately realizes that Jenn's lack of language doesn't stop her from having a voice. A touching memoir that strikes a delicate balance between sorrow and joy, heartbreak and triumph, More Than You Can See is Barbara's story of moving beyond tragedy and discovering profound and fulfilling life lessons waiting for her on the other side.

Barbara Rubin writes this story of joy and sorrow mixed with humor and rage as both mother and advocate for her daughter Jenn. In this role, she witnessed firsthand the battles that come when a person is the most vulnerable, but she also saw the gift of human kindness and the difference it can make in another person's life. She hopes that her journey, lived through her daughter's injury, will help others understand the lessons that can be learned from tolerance and will give hope to families whose paths have also been darkened by tragedy. This is her first book. Barbara resides in Washington Crossing, PA.

"An affecting story of how a young woman's traumatic brain injury took away her language but not her joy." -Kirkus Reviews "This is a must-read memoir that will make you rediscover the strength of family." -Readers' Favorite "In this heartrending and deeply authentic emotional journey, a mother reveals inspiring creativity to help her profoundly injured daughter to live fully and with joy. Jenn Rubin brought whole communities together in love and compassion through the bright, glowing spark of her life force. This book is perfect not only for parents who want to learn from Barbara's journey as a mother but also for all of us who need to be reminded that life is a gift and it's up to us to cherish and celebrate every moment." -Linda Joy Myers, president of the National Association of Memoir Writers and author of four books on memoir "This book will help readers understand the complexities of recovering from a traumatic brain injury and the healing that comes with time, patience, and endurance. The author weaves her story around the unique caregiving required for her daughter, who lacks any form of communication after her injury. Through laughter, tears, heartbreak, and triumph, the author translates the lessons she learned into a narrative that touches the heart and deepens the respect for survivors of TBI and what they have to teach us." -Susan H. Connors, President/CEO, Brain Injury Association of America