Claire Smith – Speaker & Author – Re-inventing myself after traumatic brain Iinjury

Re-inventing myself
after
Traumatic Brain Injury

“Trauma is an ineradicable aspect of life. We are human as a result of it, not in spite of it”

When a life-changing injury forces her to relinquish her equestrian identity, Claire Smith embarks on a journey of healing, recovery, and reinvention.

Claire’s memoir, Falling Into Now, chronicles her journey of recovery after a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Her determination, resilience, and persistence in the face of tremendous loss is inspiring for all, but particularly for the many individuals who have been forced to confront life-altering challenges. She is the author of several articles that have been published in academic and non-academic journals.

Audiences are captivated when she speaks at both academic and non-academic events.

Previously on the Board of Directors of the Brockville YMCA, Claire is currently on the Board of the Ontario Brain Injury Association, as well as the Board of ABLE2. This charitable organization has programs and services that empower persons of all ages across the disability spectrum and their families to build lives of meaning and joy. Claire is also a member of the Leeds and Grenville Accessibility Advisory Committee.

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What People Are Saying

"Claire takes us on a compelling journey of her life challenges and triumphs - and for those of us in the equestrian world she shares so many relatable experiences and emotions that touch our daily lives. But this book is about so much more - how to live your life with courage and determination, and how to master our life changes and personal paths. Thank you Claire for sharing such a deeply personal story with us."

"This is a powerful and engaging chronicle of recovery and rehabilitation. As someone living with ALS, I found the author's deeply personal insights sometimes mirroring lessons learned in my own journey, and other times providing helpful perspectives not yet fully understood. Above all, I'm left feeling even more determined to live in the present with hope and gratitude, and to enjoy the journey."

"A friend of mine recommended this book to me and I loved it. Life is a challenge for all of us but for those who have to cope with life altering injuries it is even more so - especially the ' invisible' ones like head injuries. Learning to live a new normal is a journey that is demanding at best."

"There is so much more to this book than the couple of chapters at the beginning about the equestrian sport. The years of healing and relearning after Claire's accident is unbelievable. The university courses that helped her focus on a goal and achieve an MA and a PHD were godsend years for Claire and her achievements must be lauded. To have to begin at the beginning and become a different person than the one you had always supposed you would be is quite remarkable."

"What makes this book so exceptional is that it is more than just a story about challenge. It presents disability in a way that informs those who are able how to respond in an appropriate way when interacting with a handicapped individual. The lesson Claire presents is that an individual who is different, whether it is physical or mental is often faced with responses that are unknowingly hurtful."

"Meeting Claire at the swimming pool was a turning point for me, and our friendship blossomed quickly. Once I discovered who she was, her book captivated my interest, and I knew I had to read it. To say I was in awe would be an understatement; Claire embodies an unwavering spirit that refuses to back down. Her story narrates the incredible odds and challenges she has faced, consistently maintaining the mantra of “I can’t” never crossing her mind."