Rating: 
Summary: Many books in one. Practical, insightful and humorous.
Review: "I'll Carry the Fork" is many books in one. First, it is the three-year autobiography of an insightful and passionate victim of brain injury. The author gives the reader practical, honest and even humorous insight into her daily activities. Second, it is a practical how-to and at times a "how-not-to" manual on daily survival for all of us. It shows that even if our lives are changed forever, we can continue to live dynamically and completely. THIS BOOK INSPIRES. Third, it is a reference book for anyone whose life has been touched or will be touched by brain injury (from mild to severe). Therefore, everyone can benefit from this book. Health care workers especially should keep this book and recommend it to colleagues, patients, and patients' families and friends. People working in sports medicine would benefit greatly from this book as well. Most importantly, YOU will benefit from reading this book. I know I have.
Rating:
Summary: Courage To Recover
Review: Being a head injury survivor myself, Kara's book, "I'll Carry the Fork" was a turning point in my own recovery. With Kara's ability to put into words, what I had kept in my injured mind, helped me to let go of the feelings of worthlessness. Through her book, Kara helped me laugh at my frustrations and forgetfulness..I learned that to laugh is to heal and see the human side to my perfectionistic past. To read her words, gave me comfort of being understood..and to be understood gave me the courage to recover. "I'll Carry the Fork" expresses everyday challenges for head injury survivors, and changes the focus of feeling defeated by our trauma; to find the strength within us, to accept ourselves as the "chosen people" to teach others, head injury or not, that life is what you make it. Every day is a gift. Kara shows us all that we should be brave, face our fears, and never give up on our yesturdays, todays and our tomorrows. After reading her book, your life, your thoughts and your daily outlook will be changed forever. This is a powerful book. I am a better person because of it. I challenge everyone to read it..enjoy the words of wisdom...then read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Courage To Recover
Review: Being a head injury survivor myself, Kara's book, "I'll Carry the Fork" was a turning point in my own recovery. With Kara's ability to put into words, what I had kept in my injured mind, helped me to let go of the feelings of worthlessness. Through her book, Kara helped me laugh at my frustrations and forgetfulness..I learned that to laugh is to heal and see the human side to my perfectionistic past. To read her words, gave me comfort of being understood..and to be understood gave me the courage to recover. "I'll Carry the Fork" expresses everyday challenges for head injury survivors, and changes the focus of feeling defeated by our trauma; to find the strength within us, to accept ourselves as the "chosen people" to teach others, head injury or not, that life is what you make it. Every day is a gift. Kara shows us all that we should be brave, face our fears, and never give up on our yesturdays, todays and our tomorrows. After reading her book, your life, your thoughts and your daily outlook will be changed forever. This is a powerful book. I am a better person because of it. I challenge everyone to read it..enjoy the words of wisdom...then read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Courage To Recover
Review: Being a head injury survivor myself, Kara's book, "I'll Carry the Fork" was a turning point in my own recovery. With Kara's ability to put into words, what I had kept in my injured mind, helped me to let go of the feelings of worthlessness. Through her book, Kara helped me laugh at my frustrations and forgetfulness..I learned that to laugh is to heal and see the human side to my perfectionistic past. To read her words, gave me comfort of being understood..and to be understood gave me the courage to recover. "I'll Carry the Fork" expresses everyday challenges for head injury survivors, and changes the focus of feeling defeated by our trauma; to find the strength within us, to accept ourselves as the "chosen people" to teach others, head injury or not, that life is what you make it. Every day is a gift. Kara shows us all that we should be brave, face our fears, and never give up on our yesturdays, todays and our tomorrows. After reading her book, your life, your thoughts and your daily outlook will be changed forever. This is a powerful book. I am a better person because of it. I challenge everyone to read it..enjoy the words of wisdom...then read it again.
Rating:
Summary: made me laugh and cry at the same time
Review: I've never read a book that has made me laugh and cry at the same time. Whether you know someone with a closed head injury or another type of disability, "I'll Carry the Fork" will give you a new understanding of the challenges that these people face everyday. The most simple task can be overwhelming to a person with a closed head injury and Kara has done an outstanding job in teaching the reader how she copes with the physical and mental challenges of everyday life.
Rating:
Summary: made me laugh and cry at the same time
Review: I've never read a book that has made me laugh and cry at the same time. Whether you know someone with a closed head injury or another type of disability, "I'll Carry the Fork" will give you a new understanding of the challenges that these people face everyday. The most simple task can be overwhelming to a person with a closed head injury and Kara has done an outstanding job in teaching the reader how she copes with the physical and mental challenges of everyday life.
Rating:
Summary: COURAGE, COMEDY AND COMPASSION
Review: IT IS A RARE BOOK THAT HOLDS MY ATTENTION LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO WANT TO READ IT IN ONE SITTING.HOWEVER, I'LL CARRY THE FORK DID. THE AUTHOR HAS THE GIFT OF PRESENTING A THOUGHT WITH BOTH HUMOR AND ELOQUENCE.ONE MOMENT I WAS VISUALIZING A SCENARIO SHE DESCRIBED LAUGHING OUT LOUD,AND THE NEXT MOMENT I COULD FEEL THE WARM TEARS RUN DOWN MY CHEEK AS SHE EXPRESSED THE PAIN OF HER EXPERIENCES IN THE ONGOING BATTLE TO LIVE WITH THE LIFE SHE NOW KNOWS.YET, DURING ALL THIS,NOT ONCE DID I EVER FEEL SHE WAS BITTER.NEVER SORRY FOR HERSELF.NEVER HOPELESS.IN FACT I COULD SENSE HER DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS THROUGH HER OWN TRIALS AND DO WHAT SHE CAN TO GIVE HOPE.THE TONE OF HER BOOK IS INSPIRING.AND THAT IS PUTTING IT MILDLY. THE AUTHOR PRESENTS COURAGE, COMEDY AND COMPASSION IN A CREATIVE YET UNDERSTANDABLE FASHION.SHE IS HONEST IN A WORLD OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.SHE IS UPBEAT IN A WORLD OF NEGATIVITY.SHE IS LAUGHTER IN A WORLD OF ANGUISH.SHE IS BRAVE IN THE FACE OF FEAR. SHE IS WHO SHE IS AND HAD THE COURAGE TO TELL US ABOUT HER SELF,HER CHANGE OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES,AND HOW SHE IS COPING TODAY.WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE EVER HAD A BRAIN INJURY YOU WILL LOVE I'LL CARRY THE FORK.SHE IS A WRITER THAT WRITES FROM THE HEART ..AND SOUL.THANK YOU KARA SWANSON!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: I'll Carry the Fork!
Review: It's amazing that Kara has been through so much yet remains adamant to keep her life as "normal" as possible. Her motivation to help others through sharing her hardships and lessons-learned is truly inspiring. She enlightens those who are not aware of the day-to-day struggles that people with closed head injuries endure.Kara has compiled an effective "guide book" for others, who like her, have experienced this life-changing injury. She describes the road to recovery as painfully slow and full of unexpected "potholes", and the importance of celebrating each of the small successes along the way. We've given copies of this "survival" book to friends who have a family member who may be the victim of both head injury and the ignorance of others about this. Hopefully, they will be inspired and comforted by her candidness and her triumphs. Through her delightful humor and dogged determination, Kara brings hope to many. We wish her continued success on her courageous journey!
Rating:
Summary: I'll Carry the Fork!
Review: It's amazing that Kara has been through so much yet remains adamant to keep her life as "normal" as possible. Her motivation to help others through sharing her hardships and lessons-learned is truly inspiring. She enlightens those who are not aware of the day-to-day struggles that people with closed head injuries endure. Kara has compiled an effective "guide book" for others, who like her, have experienced this life-changing injury. She describes the road to recovery as painfully slow and full of unexpected "potholes", and the importance of celebrating each of the small successes along the way. We've given copies of this "survival" book to friends who have a family member who may be the victim of both head injury and the ignorance of others about this. Hopefully, they will be inspired and comforted by her candidness and her triumphs. Through her delightful humor and dogged determination, Kara brings hope to many. We wish her continued success on her courageous journey!
Rating:
Summary: I'll Carry the Fork!
Review: It's amazing that Kara has been through so much yet remains adamant to keep her life as "normal" as possible. Her motivation to help others through sharing her hardships and lessons-learned is truly inspiring. She enlightens those who are not aware of the day-to-day struggles that people with closed head injuries endure. Kara has compiled an effective "guide book" for others, who like her, have experienced this life-changing injury. She describes the road to recovery as painfully slow and full of unexpected "potholes", and the importance of celebrating each of the small successes along the way. We've given copies of this "survival" book to friends who have a family member who may be the victim of both head injury and the ignorance of others about this. Hopefully, they will be inspired and comforted by her candidness and her triumphs. Through her delightful humor and dogged determination, Kara brings hope to many. We wish her continued success on her courageous journey!
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