PROFESSOR CROMER LEARNS TO READ: A COUPLE'S NEW LIFE AFTER BRAIN INJURY
Friday, August 3, 2012 at 11:25AM 
By: Janet M. Cromer
In Professor Cromer Learns to Read, Janet Cromer introduces us to her husband Alan. Once an accomplished physics professor and author, Alan lost his treasured abilities after a heart attack deprived his brain of oxygen for almost an hour. Alan’s well-trained mind could no longer read or write and nearly all of his all memories were wiped clean. Through Janet’s lens, we’re given a firsthand account of their struggles and triumphs during Alan’s rehabilitation.
The prognosis of Alan’s cognitive abilities was grim when he woke up in the hospital. Alan was unable to understand where he was or why he was there. Everything around him, from closing elevator doors to his unfamiliar wife, seemed to scare him. Whenever Alan tried to speak, all that came out was a “pressured gibberish” and when he attempted to write, he did so using a fork. Every doctor that met with Alan seemed to have little hope for improvement.
In the wake of Alan’s injury, Janet found herself suddenly thrust into the role of a caregiver. Even though she was a practicing psychiatric nurse, these day to day obstacles were foreign to her and she doubted her ability to effectively help Alan. As she notes, “I had to quickly master one of the hardest and most necessary tasks family members face…to simultaneously grieve inside while showing up ready to participate resolutely in Alan’s rehabilitation.”
Despite all she faced, Janet did not give up on Alan and she refused to let him give up on himself. As Alan got better physically, Janet made sure they did not neglect his mental recovery. Janet understood that Alan, always the academic, had to relearn reading and writing in order to live a life that was fulfilling by his standards. With this in mind, teaching Alan to read and write again became their shared goal.
Professor Cromer Learns to Read provides tangible advice and experience to anyone affected by injuries. Janet and Alan’s journey to reclaim Alan’s skills and reinvent their marriage demonstrates the power of determination and the true value of support from family and friends. In re-teaching Alan everything from reading and writing to walking his dog and taking the subway, Janet helped Alan remain independent and productive and to enjoy a dignified life.
Review by Greg McGee, contact him at gmcgee@minutesformemories.org