Eight-year Recovery from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Chronicled in New Memoir-Plus Releasing in June

 

 

Where Did i Go? a Memoir Plus by Francene Gillis, coming out on June 22, tells the author’s story of the arduous years and months that followed a tragic accident—a slip and fall on black ice on her way to work as a high school English teacher—that caused a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the symptoms of which lasted many years.

Francene shares the story of her uphill battle that ensued in the hunt for the right treatments and providers at a time when the simplest task was nearly impossible due to the 'hidden' injury she suffered. Her symptoms were very real, from severe balance issues and brain fog, to speech impairment and more. Along with being a teacher, Francene was also a regular columnist for her local paper, both of which came to a halt following her injury. As she slowly regained the ability to focus for short periods of time, she began writing her story in the hope that she could help those with mTBI and other 'hidden' injuries by sharing her experience and research along with others' stories of resilience and perseverance. 

“You have done a remarkable job researching this topic! I was extremely impressed. A brain injury (even so-called ‘mild’ concussions) can be devastating to sufferers. Untreated Post Trauma Vision Syndrome (PTVS) can make life miserable. This book leads you through the symptoms of PTVS and how to find help. If you have a TBI, you owe it to yourself to read!” —Dr. Toby Mandelman

While raw and difficult to read at times it shows how mindset, support, and the right treatment is imperative to recovery. For more information, visit Francene’s page on the OC Publishing website at ocpublishing.ca/francene-gillis. 

Francene Gillis, B.Ed, M.Ed, is an author, educator, and consultant who was born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where she taught high school English for more than twenty years. She writes regular human interest columns, and is a workshop facilitator and community advocate who focuses on concussion awareness, mental wellness, and overcoming adversity. 

A virtual book tour will begin later this month and we will be posting the tour schedule soon. Review copies are available by contacting the publisher  at anne@ocpublishing.ca.