Muse from the Booth - A remarkable story

But My Brain Had Other Ideas

'But My Brain Had Other Ideas - A memoir of recovery from brain injury. by Deb Brandon. Published by She Writes Press - and now available as an Audiobook. 
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​Winner - Beverly Hills Book Awards
Winner - Reviewers Choice Awards 2018
The Indie Book Awards - Finalist
The Best Book Awards - Finalist
International Book Awards - Finalist

I read a lot of books - both personally and professionally. I always enjoy the challenge of narrating no matter what the genre, but I wouldn't necessarily choose to read for pleasure all of the books that I narrate.  However, occasionally - and joyously - I get to narrate 'a keeper', a book that I will return to again and again.

'But My Brain Had Other Ideas' by Deb Brandon is such a book!

​When Deb discovered that cavernous angiomas - tangles of malformed blood vessels in her brain - were behind the terrifying symptoms she'd been experiencing, she underwent brain surgery. 

​And then another brain surgery. And then another. 

​Three surgeries - two carefully planned, the other, a terrifying surprise - in as many weeks.

​And that was just the beginning!​

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Don't let the-less-than-catchy title put you off reading (or listening to) this beautifully written, funny, brave, scary and ultimately uplifting  book.  Of obvious interest to anyone who has any kind of brain injury or disability - as well as to those helping and supporting people with brain injury, this book deserves a much wider audience.

Cavernous Angioma (in which abnormal clusters of blood vessels in the brain sometimes burst and bleed) and the three life saving surgeries that Deb has undergone, have had a profound effect on all aspects of her life. She has to deal with sometimes terrifyingly random symptoms: loss of taste, dizziness, seizures, memory loss, depression and a heightened sensitivity to smell, noise and light that cause her to 'zone out' in difficult situations and environments.. 

​Deb tells her story with humour, rage, pragmatism and hope and manages to find humour and courage amid the nightmare that is happening in her head which affects everything around her; her work, her life, her children, her relationships - even her belief in herself.  ​She tells her story of survival with searing honesty and self-knowledge and a complete lack of self-pity. Her conversations with herself carry you through her journey to survival with her and the whole memoir has a lightness of touch and sensitivity that engenders not only empathy, but admiration for her courage and determination - not to mention admiration for her skill as a writer. 

This is a book that made me thankful to be alive and healthy - and gave me a new perspective on my life, my family and friendships and all the things that I value the most.  I was so honoured that Deb chose me to 'get inside her head' and tell her story in Audiobook form - it was a privelige - and I am so grateful to her and 'She Writes Press' for giving me the opportunity.

Here's what Deb says about the audiobook:
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'Helen  did a fabulous job narrating my memoir “But My Brain Had Other Ideas.” Not only was her voice and intonation perfect, but she really captured the essence of who I am. She hit all the nuances of my inner self, fear, humour, grief, just right.  As I listened to the final product, I felt as if I was listening to (a better version of) myself telling my story. I can’t be prouder of this audiobook. 
Thanks so much, Helen. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude'. 

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About Deb Brandon 
Deb Brandon PhD was born in England, raised in Switzerland, Israel and England and is now Professor of Mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.  She has participated nationally and internationally in Dragon Boating and is a renowned textile artist and enthusiast. Her essays have been published in Dragon Boat World International, Hand/Eye Magazine, Logan Magazine; and SIAM Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Journal of Integral Equations and Applications.  She has also written 'Threads Around the World: From Arabian Weaving to Batik in Zimbabwe'