By Geo Gosling
If you’re a horny guy who's disgusted at having to sit down to urinate—or if you’re caring for such a survivor—this book’s for you.
Now, I'm not talking great literature here. This book would have benefited from professional editing. At times, it’s difficult to read with its choppy structure, grammatical errors, and typos.
But I am talking about a candid, thoughtful account written by a 25-year-old apprentice winemaker, daredevil bicyclist who acquired a brain injury by slamming into a pick-up truck while zooming down a hill at 50 mph. In TBI Hell, Gosling relates how he tried to make sense of his new life, while suffering the indignity of living once again under his parents’ care.
Gosling’s descriptions of his outlandish and naive efforts to pick up girls shed considerable insight into the twisted thought processes of young men dealing with raging hormones, not-yet-fully-formed (or damaged) frontal lobes, and the overall bewilderment brought on by a brain injury.
Gosling didn’t like being in public. Everyone who saw him—he believed—must have thought he was a “mess.” He feared that—to others—he sounded "dumb, drunk, or retarded." His self-confidence vanished, he was immobilized by depression, he was lonely and unable to sleep. He was a "totally depressed, pissed off, disgusted, paranoid, suicidal, homicidal camper.”
Gosling gradually learned to address these issues in a positive way. He discovered that laughing makes everything seem better. He found two activities—learning to use a computer and writing TBI Hell—that were therapeutic and enjoyable. He relieved some loneliness when he discovered chat rooms, where he "met" some girls; at least he thinks they were girls.
To expand his social circle and get out of the house more, he volunteered at an animal shelter and a home for veterans. Later, he found a job at the local video store. He relieved his sleep difficulties when he discovered that books on tape distract him from the anxiety of trying to fall asleep. When he discovered that he was unable to ride his bicycle, he took up golf.
TBI Hell validates the feelings of many young men living with a brain injury and serves as a good model for survivors looking to improve their lives. And, for those who love these young men, TBI Hell provides insight into their behavior.
Spend a few hours with this book and you’ll become a more informed survivor or caregiver.