In the Face of Catastrophe: How a Traumatic Brain Injury Became a Blessing

The Gift of Presence

When a stroke leaves Jenn comatose and clinging to life just days before her thirty-first birthday, she and her family face an overwhelming and painful journey. As they struggle to grasp what happened, to move forward and heal, they discover an unexpected gift: how to be present in times of uncertainty while holding onto hope and the power of family and community to sustain them through these challenging times.

Structured as diary entries, this poignant memoir shares memories from each family member as they walk together through this profoundly life-changing event, grapple with grief, and learn to look for silver linings: gratitude, intentional time together, and the closeness of family and friends to help them heal. Jenn was already a professional advocate for wellness and self-care before her stroke, and now she and her family share a very personal and intimate time of their lives in the hope that those who are struggling with similar experiences of loss and change will find connection, solace, and the courage to overcome even the greatest challenges.

A mother–daughter duo, Jenn Goldman is the founder of an aromatherapy beauty brand and a motivational speaker on wellness and self-care, while Caryn Hirshleifer is an attorney and co-owner of a highly successful fifth-generation family business, Hirshleifers luxury clothing.