Utah author shares her story about brain injury

"Never waste a tragedy," a friend of mine often says.

And the tragedy in Tucson, Ariz., where Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot in the head but survived, has thrown a spotlight on traumatic brain injuries. And for people like Jennifer Mosher, that is always a positive side effect.

Mosher, a Salt Lake City resident and Brigham Young University graduate, is author of the book "The Smile on my Forehead: Memoir of My Life with a Brain Injury" and has been working to get the word out about brain injuries since 1994. That was when her own brain was devastated in an automobile accident.

And as America cheers Rep. Giffords on and applauds her progress, Mosher cautions that the road ahead for her will be long, winding and filled with many tears and frustrations.

She sent Giffords a copy of her book, hoping it will help.

"We're getting all the good news about her right now," says Mosher, "but I know about the struggles ahead for her. The thing with brain injuries is you can't see them. You look fine. It's not as if you were missing a limb."

Mosher has worked hard to accept the fact her plight will never end. It will follow her for the rest of her life.

"Fortunately, I'm a natural planner," she says. "I always have my Blackberry out. You have to be careful how much you try to process because you lose things. You learn not to think too much because it can lead to real confusion — especially at night. I never used to feel anxious, but now I do."

Mosher labels the chapters in her book "Notes to Self," since writing reminders to herself has become a full-time occupation. Among the chapters are: "Don't Forget Graduate School," "Get Airbags on Next Car" and "You Have a Disability."

Even today — 17 years later — Mosher sometimes sticks Post-It Notes to her cheeks to make sure she remembers an important appointment.

"I no longer try to deny what's happening," she says. "I've learned to embrace it."

The events she describes in her book are heart-rending, but Mosher shares them in an upbeat and often light-hearted style that keeps the book from sinking under its own weight. It's apparent from page one that her good attitude has not only kept her going, but got her through college and into a solid career.

Another plus has been her ability to wring spiritual power and perspective from her trauma.

"In a strange way, what happened to me almost feels like a compliment," she says today. "I don't believe Heavenly Father ever gives us challenges we can't deal with, so the fact he trusted me with this trial shows he knew I had what it takes to get through it."

As for Gabby Giffords, the Congresswoman is about to embark on the same journey that Jennifer Mosher has been making for almost two decades.

Giffords did catch a break, however.

She now has Mosher's book to help her along.

For information about "The Smile on My Forehead," go to www.Jennifermosher.com.

e-mail: jerjohn@desnews.com