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by Reggie Cullin (Illustrator), Andrew Hess (Editor), Sean Donlon (Editor)
We need to transform building the Finnish cultural context of sisu; taking action through perseverance, integrity, and tenacity when adversity strikes and brings us to our lowest levels. If we do not, we will continue to suffer consequences of our invisible challenges that people can not see to understand. This book is the story of Kelly Thune, a brain injury survivor, that lost her career, home, identity, and purpose in the line of duty as a school administrator.It was a blessing and a curse to have the summer off with my children. A blessing to look out my bedroom window at the swarm of middle school boys on their bikes circling wondering if my pretty thirteen year old was home. If she was home, a game of volleyball would start and kids would be laying all over the lawn with the contents of the pantry cabinet littering the grass. A curse because this will never happen again. I lay on my side on my bed, as I look out the window, meditation music playing. The crisp white bedspread is contrast to my suntanned legs curled in the fetal position; toes painted a light summer blue with a touch of sparkle on my big toes. My eyes close and I begin to notice the ringing in my ears. The ringing never ever goes away. Ever. I have a headache and I can't see properly even though my eyes themselves are fine. Neurofatigue keeps me from life as I knew it. Two concussions in two years meant a loss of income, career, and purpose. Ultimately, watching my daughter from that bedroom window will never happen again because I also lost my house. Just when I envisioned a new life for myself and had a goal of becoming a school superintendent, I suffered two concussions in two years; the second in the line of duty as a school administrator. However, I have sisu. The three main goals of this book are 1) to share a story of transformation by using sisu after two serious concussions within two years, 2) to describe how the cultural and historical construct of the Finnish word sisu (noun and verb) can be used as a framework to overcome personal adversity including concussion/mTBI, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or other mental health challenges 3) and to serve as a reflective question and answer guide and motivational tool of "I can" statements to process and record your pathway of sisu to a new you. Kelly shares the story of injury, and the challenges as a working single mother and an individual that has been forced to redefine herself when she thought everything was in place. By taking a long look back and baby steps forward, she traced how an exchange experience to the country of Finland during her youth was formative in building sisu. Through her transformation after injury she realized why this word has surfaced over and over during her life and how others can build sisu, a fire within to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. The main chapters are represented by a theme of the day format; seven themes that describe what sisu was used to transformation and how to build it yourself. Mindful Monday: Building Sisu Requires Confronting Your Challenges Trying Tuesday: Building Sisu Involves Finding Enjoyment While in Discomfort Workout Wednesday: Building Sisu Requires Exercise/Training Thoughtful Thursday: Building Sisu Involves The Role of Reflection Informative Friday: Building Sisu Is Reason and Learning Informed Social Saturday: Building Sisu Involves Making Connections and Strengthening Relationships Reset Sunday: Building Sisu Involves Finding Balance & Restoring Purpose. Follow Sisu To A New You on Facebook or Instagram. Sisu To A New You!
