A Matter of Panache: A career in public education. A traumatic brain injury. A memoir of surviving both

A Matter of Panache By Debra Sanders This is one of the most riveting stories I have ever read. The story is both compelling, drawing you in very quickly and keeping you on the edge of your seat, and emotionally moving--sometimes so much so that putting it down for a moment or two is not a bad idea. The book retells the story of the author who lost much of her memory and ability to think as a result of head injuries suffered in an automobile accident There is a particularly dramatic set of passages in the book where Debra informs the reader that she had to speak to people she once had relationships with, just to ask them what happened. Imagine that you remember a relationship with some significant other but your memory leaves off before the relationship ended. In fact, imagine your memory leaves off following a wonderful and loving exchange between the two of you. Imagine having to ask what happened and somehow getting your feelings to square with your head. Who are we if we wake up one morning and know little of our selves? If you are like me, you will read this book with every free moment until you reluctantly close it, knowing that somehow you were just touched in a way that may take a very long time for you to fully realize. A truly inspiring wonderful book!!! Thank you Debra for the courage it takes to be so honest and share so candidly.

The imagery of some of our country's most remote locations is so vividly described you feel as though you are right there as Debra treks to far-flung places as a school psychologist. I was dismayed, no horrified, by the dramatic dissimilarity between what the law demands for education of our children vs. the lip service actually provided. The techniques that Debra used to help America's troubled children learn should be read and implemented by educators everywhere. And then the heartbreak as the realization dawned for Debra that her Traumatic Brain Injury would force her to leave the profession she loved. This is an extraordinary book that exposes the dark side of education and shows how our children are still being "left behind". It is also a book about the challenges for victims suffering with Traumatic Brain Injury, a look at how hard it is to "connect the dots" when the pathways have been destroyed. Debra triumphs over every obstacle with perseverance and courage. An absolute must-read that you won't be able to put down!

Debra Sanders writes beautifully and compellingly of her life as a school psycholigist both before and after she experiences a life-changing traumatic brain injury. As shes brings to life the richness and complexity of children with special needs, we sense the depth and breadth of her professionalism and dedication. We fall in love with her through her experiences only to suffer with her as she experiences a traumatic brain injury which leaves her ability to write beautifully intact while significantly challenging her ability to think and function in other areas of her life. First we root for her children. Then we root for her. Finally, we are left touched by her love, charm, insight, and courage in sharing her life story with us, including the challenges of a never-ending disability. This is a beautifully deep must-read book.

"A Matter of Panache" is a spellbinding and powerful story of the extraordinary deeds of a dedicated educational psychologist. Debra Sanders leads us on amazing odyssey from the Alaskan Yukon, to the canyon lands of Utah, through the delirium of a brain injury, and the exasperating back-channels of unethical bureaucracy within our public school system. Debra battles irrepressibly against unacceptable mediocrity, for the rights of children. She pulls back the curtain for us to witness heartrending cases of abuse, families struggling with Asperger's syndrome, attention deficits, behavioral challenges, learning disabilities, brain injuries, and other physical, cognitive and/or emotional problems. This is a rare and courageous expose about the limitations of special education today, plus is a window into the disturbing experience of traumatic brain injury. Yet in the end Panache is an uplifting tale of hope for our civilization. A lifetime of unique adventure and generosity, now shared for the benefit of all of us, and it's a terrific read!

I was thrilled to read an early draft of this book. For any parent who has a child who struggles in school, this book is inspirational. It is interesting, sometimes funny, and sometimes sad; but most of all it offers support to those of us who have battled the system to get our children the best possible education. I believe anyone who has been there will appreciate the empowerment this book offers in inspiring us to be our child's best, and always determined, advocate. I would highly recommend this book.