The Amish Cook from Oasis Newsfeatures

Dear Mrs. Eicher:

I was so sorry to hear of your family's recent loss of your baby niece Marilyn.  My thoughts and prayers are with you in your bereavement and also regarding your daughter Verena's injury.

I am responding to your request for information on closed head injury a/k/a traumatic brain injury.  Due to a very dear and close friend having a TBI, I know of two excellent resources.

There is a national orgranization that provides information, support, and referral called the Brain Injury Association of America.  Their "800" number is 1-800-444-6443 and web site is www.biausa.org.  If you contact this group they will be able to put you in touch with the local group in your state.  I attended support group meetings with my friend in Michigan, for example, and was able to hear many informative speakers - both doctors and actual TBI survivors.

One of the TBI survivors we heard and met was Claudia L. Osborn, D.O., who has recovered from a severe injury due to a bicycle accident.  Her book is titled OVER MY HEAD - "A Doctor's account of head injury from the inside looking out," published by Peripatetic Publishers, copyrighted in 1998, and the ISBN number is 0-9658950-0-8.  You should be able to find this book, if not at your local library, they can request it through inter-library loan. This book is very encouraging and provides much useful information, and I believe it would be helpful.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to assist you.

May God be with you and your family.

Kay Caroll Jewett, Mansfield, Ohio