Objects in the Mirror are Closer than They Appear

Part One tells the story of the author’s recovery from brain injury in a direct, personal manner highlighting his loss of self-image. Part Two provides practical information for families, rehabiitation professionals, and individuals with brain injury. In this new edition Sol finds his way back to playing guitar after 20 years

Sol Mogerman was unexpectedly hit head-on by a drunk driver in the fall of 1985. In this book, Sol tells the story of his accident and recovery in a direct personal manner that draws the reader into the experience.

This story highlights the loss of his self-image as the most devastating outcome of his injury. Sol's recovery unfolds through a challenging journey of self-discovery and transformation that offers great hope for triumphing over the devastating problems inherent in brain injury and other serious disabilities.

The book also includes a comprehensive self-help section based on what Sol has learned through overcoming his own disabilities, and from his experience successfully treating numerous clients in his practice as a counselor specializing in brain injury.

It is written directly to the survivor as well as to family members, caregivers, and professionals who may wish to help the survivor understand what has happened.

Introduction to the 2ndEdition

It has been twenty years since my brain injury, seven since writing of the story of my recovery, and four since its publication as "Objects in the Mirror are Closer than They Appear". I have come to believe that there is no end to the process of recovery from brain injury and have experienced a remarkable and unexpected return of ability and sense of self since the first publication of this book. The return of my seemingly lost ability to play guitar happened to me in such an unexpected yet logical manner that I feel compelled to share the story of its restoration with my readership in thise dition. Therefore the Epilogue of the first edition is replaced by Chapters 33-41 in keeping with the revelation that recovery is an infinitely progressive process that only appears finite when one stops to look at it in retrospect.

From the Prologue

This story is about losing one’s image in the mirror of the mind. It begins with the catastrophic trauma of serious physical injury unexpectedly transforming a friendly nurturing world into one of utter desolation and betrayal. The power of such an experience can create a psychotic break. This break is positively regulated by the body as it rushes to catch up with the violent change of condition. Assuming consciousness is maintained, an disassociation not too great, one still can know where and who one is. A brain injury, however, fundamentally alters the very mirror of reality, which we are virtually dependent upon to know ourselves. Once this mirror is compromised in any degree, physical and psychological forces immediately arise to begin the painstakingly subtle process of repair and restoration.

This process is never ending…

From Part II, Chapter 1. First Knowledge of Trauma

To the Caregivers

It is my hope that this section of the book will help you, the caregivers, understand how to cope with a brain injury as if you had suffered one. It is not necessary meant to be read, by all survivors (especially in the early stage of their recovery). Some survivors will be in too great a state of denial and some will be too confused or plagued by cognitive disabilities to be able to comprehend sequentially written material. Some may have lost their use of language altogether and may need to be approach, with this text much later in their recovery, after they have regained some facility with language and the ability to comprehend sequential material. If they are able, curious, and willing, by all means offer this chapter right away. Alternately, you may choose to save this chapter for later, or read only the preceding memoir, like a story, out loud, to help your survivor know that he or she is not completely alone in their experience. Subsequent chapters may be read to and by survivors to help them through later stages of recovery.

"…an excellent illustration of some important issues (and lessons) that must be kept in mind by seasoned professionals and novices alike, when they attempt to help individuals with a brain injury to regain their sense of self and their ability to become productive members of society. This book contains invaluable information and could serve as a source book to professionals and students in the field as well as to survivors and their families… a well written, engaging, edifying, and inspiring document."

Yenuda Ben-Yishay, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical
Rehabilitation Medicine and Director,
Brain Injury Day Treatment Program,
Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine,
New York University Medical Center

"I read your book over the weekend and was absolutely absorbed by it. Besides being extremely interesting and helpful to me as someone who's had a brain injury, I also found the book simply to be great reading.

"I was so impressed and moved by your candor as well as your courage in sharing your experiences, especially the ones that could not easily be summed up as a moral/spiritual lesson."

"I feel I know something of your tumultuous "trips" after reading your book...your book was so important for me to read. It touched me. Even after so much therapy…for the brain injury I suffered in my 1996 motor vehicle accident, your book brought to mind some deep questions that would never have surfaced before reading your words…Thank You."

"My compliments on your book...I found the "Inside Brain Injury" section very helpful and have been talking about your "I Am" principle with serveral of my colleagues here...

"I also found your personal story very touching...it certainly captured the disrupted thoughts and feelings which many of my clients have spoken of and it reminded me of a "poem in progress" which a client of mine wrote as he was emerging from post traumtic amnesia.

"I'm sure that there are many people who can relate closely to your experiences as you have told them."

Magaret Doyle
Outreach Case Manager
Westmead Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service
New South Wales, Australia

Sol Mogerman is a Registered Clinical Counselor who specializes in working with brain injury survivors and their families. He and his wife live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.