(DeKalb) – In 1993, Julie Papievis was in a car crash that severed most of her brain stem. Only 4% of those suffering this type of traumatic brain injury survive. Julie died on the way to the hospital. She writes that she was then transported to heaven’s doorstep where she was met by her grandmothers who told her that her body would heal. They said, “Go back and be happy.” A month later, she awoke and found herself paralyzed and helpless. Although medical experts said she would never walk again, or be able to take care of herself, she didn’t listen. Papievis believed the words of her grandmothers. After six weeks in a coma and ten years in rehabilitation, she recovered.
Now, Papievis has a national speaking and lecturing career as a survivor of traumatic brain stem injury, and wrote a book about her experience. An estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury each year. Approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability related to TBI. Papievis’s story of determination offers an inspirational and practical approach to dealing with an injury and other sudden changes in life.
Join us at the DeKalb Public Library on Wednesday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m., when Papievis presents “Go Back and Be Happy.” This program is intended for teens and adults and will be held in the lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.
Copies of Papievis’s book Go Back and Be Happy : Reclaiming Life After Devastating Loss will be available for purchase after the presentation.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.
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