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    Changed by the Rain: Life After a Brain Injury
    Changed by the Rain: Life After a Brain Injury
    Changed by the Rain: Life After a Brain Injury
    Ebook103 pages1 hour

    Changed by the Rain: Life After a Brain Injury

    By Candice C. Kirkbride

    ()

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    About this ebook

    At the tender age of 15, Candice Kirkbrides life changed forever. Happiness is at the front of her mind everyday despite the challenges she continues to face. She does not want to be defined by that one fateful night. She has dedicated herself to inspiring others to find happiness in their life. Candices message touches each person differently. Whether its through her story of recovery, overcoming adversity or forgiving those who have wronged her, she has experienced so much in her young life. Life story, poems and strategies, this book will help inspire you to change your life as Candice has hers.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisheriUniverse
    Release dateAug 12, 2016
    ISBN9781532004162
    Changed by the Rain: Life After a Brain Injury
    Author

    Candice C. Kirkbride

    Candice Kirkbride lives with her family in Sudbury, Ontario and participates in local speaking associations such as Toastmasters International and the PARTY (Prevent Alcohol Risk-related Trauma in Youth) Program. She also volunteers as a mentor with the Brain Injury Association. Candice has a diploma from Cambrian College in General Arts and Sciences. In 2010 she received the Young Leader Award from the Community Builders Awards of Excellence for her leadership and vision. In 2013 she was nominated for the Premier’s Award of Excellence for Recent Graduates from the Government of Ontario. Candice dedicates her life to spreading as much happiness as possible.

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      Book preview

      Changed by the Rain - Candice C. Kirkbride

      CHANGED

      by the

      Rain

      Life after a Brain Injury

      Candice C. Kirkbride

      27259.png

      CHANGED BY THE RAIN

      LIFE AFTER A BRAIN INJURY

      Copyright © 2016 Candice C. Kirkbride.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      iUniverse

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.iuniverse.com

      1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      ISBN: 978-1-5320-0414-8 (sc)

      ISBN: 978-1-5320-0415-5 (hc)

      ISBN: 978-1-5320-0416-2 (e)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2016912908

      iUniverse rev. date: 08/10/2016

      CONTENTS

      Acknowledgements

      Chapter 1 The Last Moment

      Chapter 2 Jane Doe

      Chapter 3 A Raging Bonfire

      Chapter 4 Ready, Fire, Aim

      Chapter 5 The Missing Piece

      Chapter 6 Anger And Frustration

      Chapter 7 Forgiveness

      Chapter 8 The Invisible Injury

      Chapter 9 A Voice To Call My Own

      Chapter 10 Fear Is Not Welcome Here

      Poems

      A brain injury is devastating to anyone involved. Friends and family cope with a new personality and the loss of an old one. Schools accommodate a new learning style. Above all, the survivor struggles to create a new identity.

      Thanks to continual love and support, I have begun to heal.

      I dedicate this book to my family (and heroes): Mom, Dad, Stephanie and Jennifer

      I also dedicate this book to Nathalie. She is a friend who I owe my life to, twice.

      My Soul

      Sailing down the stream

      In my little sailboat

      And nothing else.

      It’s good to be by myself

      My sailboat is like my soul.

      It holds all my thoughts and

      It’s the place I can go

      If I just want to be alone.

      The wind is blowing my boat

      Out of the stream now.

      I’m in the ocean.

      The clouds are beginning to darken.

      The wind

      Is getting stronger.

      By the time the storm has passed,

      It is morning and I find myself waking up

      To the sound of the ocean tide, and find that

      I’m on the shore of a beach.

      I have lost my sailboat

      So I have lost my soul.

      November 22, 1998

      (three years prior to the injury)

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      I always knew I had a book in me. I also knew I wanted to finish it eventually. The determination I gained from healing helped ensure I saw this project to the end.

      My journey with an acquired brain injury certainly does not belong just to me. My friends and family weathered this terrible storm and came out stronger people.

      When I was recovering, my mom, dad, sisters and close relatives began the first draft of this book. They wrote their memories in a small, red journal, originally meant to document my condition. They soon started to discuss their feelings and share stories. Many of the anecdotes in this book originated from there.

      My friend Nathalie was with me that night. In so many ways I owe my life to her. Her strength ultimately saved me.

      There are many doctors and nurses in Sudbury, Canada I have to thank for saving me, reconstructing my face and developing ongoing treatment plans. I am also grateful for the people who work in brain injury rehabilitation. The therapists and staff helped me heal and readjust back into a normal life.

      Dr. Wayne Matheson helped me understand my injury. So much so that his teachings inspired the title of this book.

      I also want to thank Confederation Secondary School for being extremely supportive. Teachers, staff and students helped me integrate back into the community.

      Mr. Gilbert Briscoe believed that my message was worth sharing. His encouragement lead me to pursue a speaking career.

      Cambrian College in Sudbury, Canada helped me successfully receive a college diploma. They created an environment that worked with my limitations.

      Angele was a fellow student and helped me find forgiveness in my life.

      The Toastmasters community in Sudbury, Canada helped develop my communication and leadership skills. They brought my presentation skills to the next level. Every member offers their own spark. They have helped me live a fulfilling life. I consider them family.

      Madeline Sauvé has been my friend and mentor to me for years. I feel like she makes me a better person. Her outlook on life and wealth of wisdom are powerful.

      Ed Tate is the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking. I had the amazing opportunity to receive his guidance. He opened my eyes to the possibility of using a ghostwriter for this project.

      My local PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth) Program gave me the opportunity to speak to youth about the dangers of underage drinking. They give me a platform to increase awareness about safety and smart choices.

      The Brain Injury Association of Canada helped me realize I was not alone. For years I benefitted from their mentoring program and now I have the opportunity to offer insight to others. Brain injury survivors depend on organizations like this to overcome adversity and access support.

      Finally, I’d like to thank Charlotte Girimonte. We traveled the journey of writing this book together. Our partnership has made us both better people. This book was the work of two minds. I am so grateful.

      Chapter One

      THE LAST MOMENT

      Embrace it

      Love Life,

      It could be over before you know it.

      Give those you love a hug each time you see them.

      Smile when you see the sun.

      Admire the beautiful scenery.

      Have an appreciation for all that is around us.

      Don’t be naïve,

      Everything can change in the blink of an eye

      or a heartbeat.

      Don’t be blind.

      See what you have before you lose it.

      Let people know that you love them.

      Let them know how much you appreciate them.

      Appreciate what you have,

      Appreciate life

      Embrace it!

      I was your average Canadian teenager. I have two younger twin sisters. I was shy and nervous speaking in front of large groups of people. Like most kids, I spent my days riding my bike around the neighbourhood. I went rollerblading with my friends and family. When I was thirteen, I enrolled in Junior Air Cadets. I thought I wanted to become a pilot when I grew up.

      I was quite shy but I also loved acting. From the time I was

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