The Reality of Brain Injury

More about the book

Andrew Tillyard, a respected medical professional, family man, and athlete, faced a life-altering vehicle crash that resulted in a serious head injury. Airlifted to the hospital where he worked, he recounts his raw struggles to rebuild his life in this compelling narrative. Drawing from regular blog entries during his rehabilitation, Andrew offers an authentic reflection on key stages of recovery, addressing both practical daily challenges and broader existential concerns. He shares the unique difficulties and support he encountered as a healthcare professional turned patient, emphasizing that the journey includes negativity, bitterness, and occasional rage as integral parts of healing. Alongside these struggles, he celebrates the small victories that fueled his determination, illustrating that hope for the future is always present. He recounts learning to achieve what doctors deemed impossible—walking, reading, running, and ultimately writing this book. With a decade of recovery behind him, Andrew provides a long-term perspective on the ups and downs of healing. This narrative serves as essential reading for neuropsychologists, neurologists, rehabilitation therapists, and students in medicine and allied health, while also resonating with anyone who has survived a brain injury and grappled with the question of life’s worth.