 About the Book
The curious thing about the auto accident that ended my life was that I lived through it. On January 31, 1996, I caught Death sneaking through a red light disguised as a minivan going fifty miles an hour.
Death didn't catch Kara Swanson that day, but the impact of the minivan caused her brain to slam into the wall of her skull. In that instant Swanson joined the estimated 2 million Americans who suffer closed-head brain injuries each year. It was like being thrust into foreign country with no roadmap, no way to speak the language, no directions home.
I wrote this book because the understanding of traumatic brain injury is limited even by our medical community, much less the average "civilian." I left that hospital without a clue as to what a head injury was or what that diagnosis would soon imply.
For this successful 33-year-old caterer, the diagnosis meant she could no longer organize dinner plans for 500 in her head, or remember the phone numbers of family members, or even that she'd just made a fresh pot of coffee. "I found 13 just-used coffee filters in the trash one day. I'd make a pot, forgot I'd done it, throw it out thinking it was old, and start all over again." When it took the smoke alarm to remind her there was something in the oven, she began to carry around a fork as a reminder when she cooked.
I wanted to write the book that I wish I could have read when I was first diagnosed with a brain injury. I tried to take the information that it took me weeks, months and years to learn and put it into a short, easy-to-read book that might help people better understand the process of recovery from brain injury.
Written with humor, intelligence and technical input from medical and legal professionals, I'll Carry the Fork offers inspiration and practical help to anyone dealing with the aftermath of brain injury.
Who Should Read I'LL CARRY THE FORK!
Every 16 seconds a head injury occurs in the United States. Many are the result of sports injuries, falls, and accidents involving bicycles, cars, or motorcycles. Others, such as shaken-baby syndrome, result from abuse. Young people and the elderly are most at risk, but head injury—from mild concussion to serious brain trauma—can occur to anyone at any time. This book was written for:
- Brain-injury survivors and their supporters who want information in layman's terms
- Individuals facing any difficult disease or injury who seek genuine compassion and understanding for their challenges
- Parents, coaches and athletic directors attempting to teach the importance of safety in easy-to-understand terms
- Fans of the Detroit Red Wings who wish to show their support for the two players injured after the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs.
What People Are Saying about Kara Swanson and I'LL CARRY THE FORK!
"It has been 17 years since my brain injury. Finally and for the first time, instead of trying to explain my challenges, I just hand them Kara's book. Thank you, Kara, for writing my story."
"My brother was injured five years ago. He cannot read, so I read him Kara Swanson's I'll Carry the Fork! It was the first time I've seen him laugh in years."
"Kara, you don't know me, but you know my son Tim through e-mail. I am Tim's father. Just to refresh your recollection, Tim was in a serious auto accident and sustained a severe brain injury. We were told he wouldn't live, then later that he would live but would be a vegetable.
I just finished reading your book and felt compelled to write to you and tell you how much my entire family (who also read the book) admire you. We have lived through the worst hell that any human should have to bear and thanks to God, our son is 'normal.' He will be graduating from college in Dec. and getting married the same month.
I only wish I had this book while my family was going through this. You have 22 new friends who pray for you every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Wonderful speaker! Her message was poignant, humorous and informative. What a brave woman. Very informative, very good."
-Participant at BIA-MD annual conference
"When I picked up your book I was immediately hooked. I felt like I wrote parts of it, it was so right on. I couldn't put it down. ... Now I have a book to refer to people like my parents, who try to understand but who have no idea. Thank you so much for a book with no sugarcoating, no exaggerating, and without being too technical."
Kara Swanson's remarkable story provides a very meaningful glimpse into the life of someone who has been changed by a head injury. By sharing her personal triumphs and challenges she gives us a new sensitivity for the countless people and families who focus each and every day on their recoveries. It's heartwarming that Kara is assisting the families of our injured Detroit Red Wings, Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov, with her new book. Her kindness, along with the overwhelming support of the community, demonstrates that compassion and caring go a long way to help people regain their lives and independence. Both Kara and her book are special.
-Marian Bayoff Ilitch, Co-owner, Detroit Red Wings
Celebrate Kara's remarkable achievements with her. You will laugh out loud as you learn how she creatively fumbles through daily activities we all take for granted. You will cry in empathy as you admire her never-ending perseverance, courage and determination. Read this book! You will be enriched and inspired.
-Adrienne Shepperd, RN, BSN, MSA
The Lakeland Center, Southfield, Michigan
About the Author
Kara L. Swanson is a resident of Center Line, Michigan, and an avid Detroit sports fan. Her own struggle with brain trauma coincided with the tragic injury to Detroit Red Wings hockey great Vladimir Konstantinov and trainer Sergei Mnatsakanov just after the team won the 1997 Stanley Cup. Kara now numbers Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch (as well as other Red Wings personnel) among her own support team, and is donating a portion of the proceeds from I'll Carry the Fork to trust funds set up for the injured players.
Author Appearance Schedule
2005
Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin Conference, April 2005
Ballinger TBI Clubhouse Akron, Ohio, September 2005
Crotched Mountain Support Group, Greenfield, New Hampshire, November 2005
2004
Rotary Club of Greeley, Colorado, April 2004
Stephen's Farm Center Opening Greeley, Colorado, April 2004
Brain Injury Association Ohio Conference, October 2004
Brain Injury Association Michigan Conference, October 2004
Brain Injury Association of Colorado Conference, October 2004
2003
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, May 2003
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, October 2003
2002
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, May 2002
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Texas, August 2002
2001
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia, February 2001
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, October 2001
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Oregon, October 2001
2000
Keynote speaker, annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, March 2000
Award for Kara L. Swanson
The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan with the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University have named Kara L. Swanson recipient of their "Excellence in Achievement—Rising Star" award for the year 2000. Kara is the author of I'll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life after Brain Injury (Rising Star Press, 1999). The award is in recognition of "outstanding accomplishments while living with a disability for less than five years." Kara suffered a brain injury when her car was struck by a red-light runner in 1996. She lost her career, her savings, her home, the life she had known—but built a new life in the aftermath of this devastation. I'll Carry the Fork! was written to help brain injury survivors and their families understand the nature of the injury and the process of recovery.
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