Living the Invisible Disability

Coping with Post Concussion Syndrome Traumatic Brain Injury & Depression

By: Hannah Andrusky

Narrated by: Kalisha Fleischmann

Who hasn't had a rough day? What if that 'rough day' ended up spanning the course of years? And, it was invisible to others? Hannah's life was going great. She was a stylist with high profile clients in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. Her talk show host career was taking off, but in one split second, everything changed. She was in a serious auto accident, left with a traumatic brain injury - and post-concussion syndrome, which results in threatening depression. Her career was instantly in ruins.

Hannah was in constant physical, emotional, and mental pain and could no longer be the mother she had been. In fact, everything that made her who she was seemed to have been ripped away. Without much information to guide her, Hannah embarked on her long, painful journey of recovery. For more than a year, it was two steps forward, one step back. Rather than give in and give up, she discovered resilience in the face of adversity. She did not just cope, she learned to thrive as she embraced the opportunity of paying forward what she learned through her experience and her decisions regarding how to perceive them.

In this candid, pull-no-punches account, Hannah shares her story of fear, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts that were superseded by everyday small victories, and ultimately an acceptance of the responsibility to share with others what it takes to overcome whatever you might be dealt. She reveals the practical tips she utilized as she healed herself from the inside out. Ultimately, Hannah's is a story of hope, followed by action, which leads to necessary change in our outlook on life's challenges. Hannah shares how her accident was a blessing in disguise that led her to rediscover her passion in life for helping others. Today, she lives her mantra, "We are not alone. And none of us should suffer in silence." Certainly not you.

©2014 Hannah Andrusky (P)2016 Hannah Andrusky

Thank you

I just finished reading this book it was like looking at my own life story. I learned things that I didn’t know. This book helped me to understand some of the things that happened in the early stages of my TBI. Also helps me to look at healthier choices moving forward. I am 6 years into my recovery and I find that laughing is one of my best therapy’s.
This is a great book for anyone who knows someone or they themselves may be suffering from a brain injury PCS, TBI or a mild concussion.

Made me cry!

I’m almost four months out from a concussion, and with a recent setback, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. This book gave me hope to continue on, and know that although I may have a new “normal”, I will get closer to what I was like before the incident. Hannah is honest, open, compassionate, and doesn’t sugar coat what is a really tough situation to be in. She’s knowledgeable and warm. Read this book if you suffer from PCS or know someone who is!

Thank you for telling my story!

As a TBI and PCS survivor, it is so refreshing to know that I am not alone. I am going to share this book with everyone in my life who dismisses the challenges that I go through and I’m also going to take the advice of how to start bouncing back and taking control of my health. Thank you so much for this gift.

Great insight for self & family

Helpful hearing single mom with TBI. I second Functional Brain Scan and Self Advocacy. Great insight into frustrating process of working with various doctors for this complex injury and how to understand the gravity of it. It IS invisible and so difficult to understand and explain to family, friends, and medical staff. I needed this 5 years ago.

Wow

I can't believe that there is another person that knows exactly what I feel

SO REAL!

I'm currently less than a year into a concussion. I'm trying to find the part of me I lost. This book validated my struggles! Gave me EXCELLENT information to help me seek out more answers. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it gave me hope for a possible future that Isn't so dark at the moment! Thank you for writing this book, its so important to share to people like me. I pray my journey turns out half as good as hers did!

Excellent book, good info and hope!

Excellent book, good info and hope for a light at the end of the concussion pain.

Light at the end of the tunnel.

I too suffer from PCS. I hadn't heard that diagnosis until I finished this book on Audible and asked my Doctors. I'm 14 months out from my headon auto accident. This book has become my bible. It has brought so much clarity to the cage I feel trapped in. Thank you Hannah... I cried the intire way through your journey.

TBI survivor of a motorcycle accident

Not one TBI is the same - Something that I feel more people need to understand including us. Also this book has helped me not feel so alone in my struggles. I appreciate you for your help with that.

This book is both helpful and inspirational.

Keep Going!!

I struggled at first with the book. I had picked it up, I had listened to it and just couldn't get going. Several months later however I picked it back up and I am glad I did!! Everything in its own time!! The book was very well thought out and explained her story! A story of inspiration! was one of inspiration. The only thing I would add is that NOT everybody recovers! Great job and I recommend!!