RachelMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Thu 08-Nov-12 12:06:46
We're joined on Monday at 1pm by Olympic rower James Cracknell and his wife, writer and broadcaster Beverley Turner who have just published their book, Touching Distance.
In 2010 James was knocked off his bike by the wing mirror of a petrol tanker in Arizona. It had smashed into the back of his head at high speed, causing severe frontal lobe damage. The doctors weren't sure if he would recover and, if he did, whether he would ever be the same again. A year later, he suffered a seizure at home which left him struggling to master life's simple challenges whilst his family faced the challenges this brought to their own lives.
Touching Distance is an extraordinary, honest and powerful account. James and Bev confront for the first time the lasting effects that the accident has had on their lives. Send your questions to James or Bev in advance or join them on Monday at 1pm for the webchat. Send in a question and you will be entered into a draw to win one of four signed copies of Touching Distance.
BeverleyTurner
Mon 12-Nov-12 14:23:38
Ok...we've got to go now...thank you for all your fantastic questions...I could chat all day! But I've got a school football match to get to. Much love to all mumsnetters.xx
I never get my questions answered in web chats <sobs>
Beaver - me neither although I can understand why mine wasn't answered even if they saw it . I think the "trick" is not to ask your question early and to ask it either just before or during the webchat itself 
BupcakesAndCunting
Mon 12-Nov-12 14:45:20
Awww weren't they lovely?! <swoons>
Viva at least you didnt ask a question and later find out it had apparently been answered upthread.. 
Babybarrister I will PM you re our TBI husbands. Sorry to heat it has happened to your family too. Am always up for a chat if you fancy comparing notes!
babybarrister
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:11:59
Thewombat and I have brain injured partners - if anyone else wants to pm us and be friends please just do! xx
babybarrister
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:16:30
myself and thewombat are going to keep in touch as we have TBI partners - feel free to pm us too 
Yes yes, we can start a very exclusive quiche for TBI affected families!
babybarrister
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:23:07
I thought that there would be more people on here affected by TBI to be honest - I actually posted in general health this morning to drum up some interest as I felt sure that there must be some more around!!!
BupcakesAndCunting
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:44:40
I'm surprised that there weren't more people around in general tbh (although not complaining as I did get both my questions answered which might not have happened if it were busier )
Maybe the webchats clash with work for many MNers?
RatherBeOnThePiste
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:49:54
Yes they do!
Had to leave my relatively very unimportant question at lunch. Would have liked to follow the chat.
Some webchats in the evening please MNHQ!
<passes gin as a bribe>
madwomanintheattic
Mon 12-Nov-12 15:59:20
I didn't even realize this was on tbh - just seen it, and I'm normally aware of webchats...
I'll look up your thread in health, bb and wombat. Dh had similar accident in 2001. Seems like such a long time ago x
They were so lovely! Thank you James and Beverley for coming on and answering our questions.
archfiend
Mon 12-Nov-12 16:27:23
Just been reading the webchat as I also missed it. A lot of it rings very true for me. DH has brain injury following stroke rather than accident but the outcome and 'dealing with it' aspects are very similar, particularly when talking about it to DC. Off to seek out the book now!
Oh no, I missed this, bloody work.
They were so lovely, always pleasing when people live up to your expectations of them iykwim
babybarrister
Mon 12-Nov-12 16:42:06
archfiend - I have started a thread on brain injury in general health if you would like to join a small and select group 
RachelMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Mon 12-Nov-12 17:35:47
RatherBeOnThePiste
Yes they do!
Had to leave my relatively very unimportant question at lunch. Would have liked to follow the chat.
Some webchats in the evening please MNHQ!
<passes gin as a bribe>
Sorry you missed this. We are looking at running some webchats in the eves and working on this - honest. We'll let you know when we fix something up.
RatherBeOnThePiste
Mon 12-Nov-12 17:39:16
Aww Rachel, bless you, I had my very unimportant question answered so I'm very happy 
But thank you 
RachelMumsnet
(MNHQ)
Mon 12-Nov-12 17:41:06
Congratulations to JoshLyman, Trills, GW297 and desserttime who have each won a signed copy of Touching Distance. We'll be sending you a Pm later today with details.
Keep your eyes peeled for our twitter comp from @mumsnetbookclub later this week for a chance to win another signed copy of the book.
archfiend
Mon 12-Nov-12 18:02:54
babybarrister thanks, I might pop over later!
That was a really good, informative webchat. They both came across really as nice.
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