Wind Dancing: The Gift of Healing Traumatic Brain Injury

Editorial Reviews “Deborah Schneider has lived through a nightmare that most of us can’t even imagine. She opens herself up and invites us in—an act that requires great courage under even the best of circumstances. Her experience of kindness, compassion and grace in the midst of darkness is an inspiring testament to our shared humanity. Hearing of the struggles she continues to deal with on a daily basis, one can only stand back and admire her commitment to living a full and productive life.” --Penny Marshall, Actress and Producer “With grace and dignity…Deb reclaims her life after a serious brain injury. Her humor and direct speaking provide insight and inspiration...Truly, the sky is the limit!” --Judith Avner, Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) “Deborah exemplifies the process of spiritual transformation. Even at her lowest emotional and physical points, the author acknowledges love, patience, care, and perhaps above all an abiding sense of grace to see her through the darkness and into a dynamic experience of light and wholeness…Her story is a powerful testament to the possibility of finding hope and healing, even in the midst of trial and danger, and will surely inspire all who have ever walked in the valley of despair to dream about dancing.” --John Cecero, Associate Professor of Psychology, Fordham University Wind Dancing “is unique in that it gives the reader a rare opportunity to understand the effects and impact of traumatic injuries from the inside out rather than from the outside in. With grace, dignity and an unbending openness and honesty, Deborah shares with the reader her ongoing journey of healing and recovery from the depths of despair, confusion, fear and pain…the author’s story highlights the importance of an integrative mind-body approach to healing…the crisis that initially disrupted her entire life ultimately became an opportunity for tremendous personal growth.” --Leslie Nadler, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, CW Post College “Wind Dancing takes the reader on a poignant and spiritual journey...[Deborah’s] courage, resilience and ultimate transformation are an inspiration, and a wonderful reminder of the power of the human spirit to not only survive but triumph over trauma and adversity.” --Deborah M. Benson, Rehabilitation Neuropsychologist Product Description Survival. Hope. Renewal. These three simple words sum up Deborah Ellen Schneider’s life. In this memoir of tragedy and triumph, she teaches people suffering from disability, depression and abuse how to reclaim their lives and learn the joyful art of Wind Dancing. Deborah was a senior manager at the second-largest bank in the world. Then in 1995, the driver of a two-ton New York utility truck smashed into her station wagon at 50 mph. Her head whipped back against the seat so violently that the headrest broke. The traumatic brain injury she suffered reduced her mental abilities to that of a five-year-old child. Years of chronic pain, debilitating dizziness and therapy followed. Simple tasks took monumental effort. The smallest things, like pulling her hair back into a ponytail, were impossible. As her marriage dissolved and her sons became her caregivers, she was trapped in a perpetual nightmare of post-traumatic stress and haunting childhood memories. A rehab facility called Transitions and a host of neighbors, friends and strangers formed a lifeline to hope. With their help, Deborah fought to regain her independence. As she leaned on her faith and her long experience as a survivor, she began an amazing spiritual transformation. She could never be the person she was before the accident. Instead she built a new life that allowed her to dance in the breeze called joy. As she emerged into a miraculous new life, Deborah knew she had to help others. She began advocating for people with a host of disabilities and now speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. She is the founder of Wind Dancing Ne