A senseless and violent crime - becomes an exciting and inspiring story of how 'a man' used his indomitable spirit to conquer the most devastating of all injuries - TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.
"This is the greatest book I ever read..." Fran Prater
John and Barbara Del Buono waged a war against a three-headed dragon to win the life of their son:
They faced ordeals with the medical community.
"This book should be on the 'must read' list of all health care professionals." Yehuda Ben Yishay, PhD, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation
They battled the YMCA in a civil law suit.
"Defendants committing fraud and hiding evidence is not as rare as one might think...This is a story all of us who deal with brain injury need to read and analyze." Lawrence J. Smith, Esq., Chairman, TBI Litigation Group, ATLA
They fought the criminal justice system to see that the man who assaulted their son received a just punishment.
"A fascinating pursuit of justice, both civil and criminal..." The Connecticut Law Tribune
Nick was dismissed by the medical profession as a lost, pathetic cause who would be better off dead. Barbara discovered a wasteland upon discharge from the hospital because neither the medical profession, insurance companies or the government had made provisions for severe TBI patients.
"Writing the book is courageous and driven from a place deep inside - possibly cathartic - a warning to other and a helpful, supportive tool. She writes descriptively and with emotion. She chronicles evens and feelings creating an intimacy with the reader." Writers Digest
From ACKNOWLEDGED A MAN:
The first week in the ICU was a twenty-four-hour-a-day crisis. Nick was in a desperate battle for his life. No one on the medical staff expected him to live, and his condition remained critical. Yet Nick refused to die. The persistence of the ugly facial grimace and the pattern of the ugly facial grimace and the pattern of the rhythmic spasms in his body made me wonder if he were not in such a rage over what had happened to him that he was to angry to die. Chapter 4, page 25
"We appreciate your efforts in advocating and fighting to move people out of the stone age in treating brain injury." Monica Cocharn
The doctors know the human body and the medical facts that affect it. They also know the consequences, which can be crippling and even fatal, when any part of that body is injured or diseased. And they know that the family members do not want to hear the bad news when they are told that the body of their family member is no longer blessed with health. After all, it is their mission in life to heal, and they are vulnerable to the family when they are unable to restore health. Chapter 5, page 37
"I just wanted you to know that this was a great book. You gave the 'real' story about brain injury and not the 'sugar-coat' which usually happens." Stacy Clark, BIA NY State
But family members know the person and are familiar with the spirit that resides within. That spirit gives them a special kind of hope that doctors don't want to rely on. Too many times they are afraid to count on that spirit and the hope it brings because it sometimes disappoints us all. Nevertheless, that spirit contains a power that the doctor cannot produce, and it must not be dismissed. It comes from God, who is the Ultimate Healer. Chapter 5, page 37
"Thanks so much for sharing your story with those of us who understand and need this love and compassion." Ila Nofziger, Brain Injury Recovery Foundation
About the Author:
Barbara Del Buono Barbara, along with her husband, Attorney John Del Buono are founding members of the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut. Barbara served on its first Board of Directors. She started and chaired the first Brain Injury Support Group in Waterbury, Connecticut. Barbara and John were awarded the 1993 Presidents Award from the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut.
Barbara was a legal assistant for thirty-five years. Barbara and John took care of Nick at home for over twenty years as his caregivers and overseeing his rehabilitation and recovery.
Barbara has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows across this country discussing TBI, prevention, coma recovery, quality of life issues, tort reform, violence and TBI rehabilitation. Barbara served on the first Governor's task force on Brain Injury in the United States.
