Kathleen S Bartl

Kathleen lived her life prior to THE FALL as a career woman in the food industry for 22 years. She was working as a Business Engineer in her corporate office in 1996 when a horse accident caused a severe closed head Traumatic Brain Injury in September of 1996. Waking six weeks into her coma, a long arduous climb to recovery began. After two years of traditional therapy to recover basic skills in walking, talking and thinking, the author moved into her community to further her recovery in sports and personal areas of interests. The level of accomplishment was irrelevant to the experience and learning opportunities. She began with seven years of physical therapy work on her horse, gaining her better movements, better balance and limited recovery of her multi tasking skills. She managed to finish her college education, a BSBM with special help from the University she was enrolled in.

The author became a Motivational Speaker a guest speaker at the Brain Injury Conference for Families and Professionals in Utah, 1999 and hosted a web site designed to provide information and social interaction for Traumatic Brain Injury survivors for ten years. Kathleen is a regular contributor to the website My Invisible Life. She still battles vertigo 24/7, but manages it well enough to be physically independent. Her goal is to reach Traumatic Brain Injury survivors and help them understand that their recovery efforts must continue for every day and year they are alive. Gains both mentally and physically, can and will happen as each year passes. Never giving up on improving your recovery gives a survivor the upper hand in their future.

The author has penned an interesting and informative Memoir taking the reader through her hard but motivating journey of progress toward a recovery that can be valued. Animals are the author's greatest love, and have become an integral part of most of her independent recovery therapies. Her work at getting better will always include the kindness of strangers, the patience of professional trainers and the love of amazing animals.