Amanda's Fall: A Story for Children About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

By Kelly Bouldin Darmofal

Amanda's Fall, with charming illustrations by Bijan Samaddar, depicts an event common in schools today. Young Amanda gets a concussion after falling and hitting her head during recess. While she can hear people talking, she cannot respond. Amanda is taken to a doctor for evaluation. Wisely, her parents ask for a prognosis, which in Amanda's case, is a good one. Author Kelly Darmofal offers readers her third book on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), encouraging parents and caretakers to alert schools and, hopefully, doctors when any child is concussed; side effects can then be ameliorated.
Studies show that Traumatic Brain Injuries represent the leading cause of death and disability in young adults in industrialized countries. According to the CDC, at least 564,000 children are seen each year for brain injury in hospital emergency departments and released.
"Kelly Darmofal worked hard on recovering from severe TBI, and gained the special gift of ability to explain what she went through. This book offers transforming power to children and parents--those afflicted with TBI and those trying to prevent it."
-- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, professor emeritus of neurology-neuropsychology at Wake Forest School of Medicine and ordained Baptist minister
"Amanda's Fall is a delightful, much needed children's book on Traumatic Brain Injury. Through the eyes of a child, it raises awareness, has tips for coping and offers support for those affected."
-- Christina Condon NP, Neurology
"Amanda's Fall is a lovely book that uses rhyme and colorful illustrations to engage young readers. Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's warm writing style makes it easy to understand the issues surrounding this potentially serious medical condition."
Laurie Zelinger, PhD, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author of Please Explain Time Out to Me
"This is a cute and creative story to help young children understand their world after a traumatic brain injury. It teaches them that they are not alone in their experiences. The tips for parents are a valuable resource as well.
-- Mary Jane Morgan, Lower School Principal, Calvary Day School
"Darmofal has an ease in the way she writes about TBI. In this sweet story, she makes a difficult situation approachable and something to discuss. This is a wonderful story to share and educate children about TBI."
-- Susie van der Vorst, co-Founder and Director, Camp Spring Creek

• Language: English
• Publisher: Loving Healing Press
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781615994526

Kelly Bouldin Darmofal

After suffering a severe Traumatic Brain Injury at age 15, Kelly returned to school in '92-'93 with multiple disabilities including double vision, memory loss, and aphasia. Undaunted, Kelly struggled to graduate from a school adapting to a new disability category -- TBI. Developing coping techniques on her own and with varied assistance, Kelly continued to persevere, completing both college and a Masters in special education at Salem College. She currently writes and teaches in North Carolina where she resides with her husband and son.

Book preview

Amanda’s Fall:

A Story for Children about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

By Kelly Bouldin Darmofal

Loving Healing Press

Ann Arbor, MI

Amanda’s Fall: A Story for Children about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Copyright © 2019 by Kelly Bouldin Darmofal. All Rights Reserved.

Learn more about Kelly at www.ImLostInMyMind

Kelly’s books are available in audiobook editions from Audible.com, Amazon, and iTunes.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Darmofal, Kelly Bouldin, 1977- author.

Title: Amanda's fall : a story for children about traumatic brain injury (TBI) / by Kelly Bouldin Darmofal.

Description: Ann Arbor, MI : Loving Healing Press, [2019] | Summary: First-grader Amanda has a serious fall during recess and is diagnosed with mTBI, a mild traumatic brain injury, which her mother learns could become more serious as she gets older. Includes resources for parents, teachers, and caregivers.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019006816 (print) | LCCN 2019008789 (ebook) | ISBN 9781615994526