About
Mark Palmer has been continuously rebuilding his life from his “new normal” ever since suffering a TBI 40-something years ago, when he was broadsided by a Detroit city bus. Through 15 surgeries, countless rounds of physical, speech, and other therapies, and years spent refusing to fully accept the extent of his disabilities, Mark has persevered. He has parlayed the lessons TBI taught him into success as an entrepreneur, CEO, sales executive, and coach—showing companies, sales teams, and others how to exceed their loftiest goals by accepting where they are now and supporting them every step of the way. Although Mark has never regained his “pre-accident normal,” he has lived a remarkable, satisfying life—a possibility he wants to extend to all TBI victims by offering them Realistic Hope: the hope that by accepting their “new normal” they can begin the journey of recovery
Story Behind The Book
At the age of 15 Mark Palmer was riding in a car that was hit by a Detroit city bus, went into a coma, survived 15 surgeries, had a dozen grand mal seizures and scores of shoulder dislocations. Now 30 years later he tells his story of recovering and finding a new normal.
With sober insights he goes through every critical step following a traumatic injury and gives helpful advice for how to practically handle difficult situations. One of the things that make this book unique is inclusion of advice for caregivers. Mark acknowledges the need for communication among all the parties in the survivor’s environment. Despite the title, this book does not only address survivors of traumatic brain injuries. This is a book that everyone who has encountered misfortune should read.
“As a result of these experiences I have learned that, while there is no such thing as a “return to normal” following a traumatic injury, it is certainly possible to live a great life and to pursue realistic dreams based on being the best you can be. The process begins with accepting where and who and how you are right now.”
Mark Palmer
Reviews
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span>This
is a must-read for physicians, social workers, and all health care providers,
but especially for patients and families with any significant illness or
injury. In my career in rehabilitative medicine I have seen many catastrophic
illnesses. Traumatic Brain Injury is often the worst because it involves the
brain.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span></span></p><br /><p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span>Mark
has been through the worst, yet has overcome most of his disabilities to become
a success by almost any measure. He is a wonderful husband, father,
grandfather, and an accomplished entrepreneur.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span></span></p><br /><p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span>He
has used the knowledge acquired through his own successes and failures to give
patients and their families a "How to” guide for negotiating this
difficult territory. He walks the family through the earliest stages of the
trauma until the patient and the family can set their own course for a
successful outcome, no matter what the problem may be.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span></span></p><br /><p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><strong><span>Dr.
Francis Lagattuta, MD</span></strong><span></span></p><p></p>
<p class="paragraphstyle4" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;"><span></span></p><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;">Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation </span>
<p></p>