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

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

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

Lost in My Mind audiobook released

Lost in My Mind - Audiobook Edition

Lost in My Mind is a stunning memoir describing Kelly Bouldin Darmofal’s journey from adolescent girl to special education teacher, wife, and mother – despite severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Spanning three decades, Kelly’s journey is unique in its focus on TBI education in America (or lack thereof). Kelly also abridges her mother’s journals to describe forgotten experiences. She continues the narrative in her own humorous, poetic voice, describing a victim’s relentless search for success, love, and acceptance – while combating bureaucratic red tape, aphasia, bilateral hand impairment, and loss of memory.

Lost in My Mind - Audiobook Edition
Lost in My Mind – Audiobook Edition

Purchase Lost In My Mind  audiobook at Audible.comiTunes, or Amazon.com

Audiobooks and TBI survivors

  • Prevents headaches and eye-strain often associated with TBI survivors and reading books
  • Great for listening to again and again.  No need to worry how much information you are retaining.
  • Wonderful source for affirmations.  Listen each day as part of your morning routine, workout, or commute time
101 Tips for Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
101 Tips for Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Purchase 101 Tips audiobook at Audible.comiTunes, or Amazon.com

Welcome to my blog! :)

Kelly Bouldin Darmofal
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal

My name is Kelly (Bouldin) Darmofal. I was in a car crash in 1992 and suffered a   severe closed head or traumatic brain injury. I was thirteen days into my high school career, and had just finished cheering at my first JV football game. When I returned home for the night, several friends wanted to drive me to a local fast food restaurant to grab a burger. I was famished and my parents acquiesced, giving me a curfew of 10 PM. I was always super punctual and overly responsible.

Thus, at 10:05 my parents worried… At 10:10 my parents began freaking out. After making a last minute – completely out of character – decision to allow me to go out with friends on a school night, my mom and dad had no idea where I was.

At 10:15 the telephone rang. I had been in a car accident and was at Baptist hospital fighting for my life.

Fast forward 25 years. I’ve recovered and found a “new” normal. I have a husband, son, relatives and friends who fill my world with love and laughter. I have meaningful work and am able to advocate for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) survivors in my free time.

I’ve professionally published two books, Lost in My Mind: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and 101 Tips for Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury: Practical Advice for TBI Survivors, Caregivers and Teachers, and will occasionally speak about my experiences with TBI. Hopefully, this blog will give me a new avenue on which to offer assistance.

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