At the age of just 12 years old, Cheryl Koenig’s son Jonathan was involved in a horrific car accident and suffered an extremely severe traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma for six weeks and given very little chance of survival. His doctors predicted that if he did survive he would never be able to walk or talk. Twelve years later Jonathan has completed his Higher School Certificate and a TAFE course and is currently learning to drive. He can walk well, and has just begun to run. He can snow ski, swim and play tennis. And he astounds family and friends with his piano playing skills. All this as well as working five days a week in four part-time jobs.

His mother has written about her remarkable son in “Paper Cranes: A Mother’s Story of Hope, Courage and Determination” which chronicles her family’s journey through despair, denial and anger, to eventual acceptance and healing. This is her third book, having already written two books in a voluntary capacity for NSW Health. Cheryl volunteers much of her free time assisting in development of government policy and services in the health care arena, as well as a huge commitment to fundraising. She was recognised for her efforts in raising awareness about acquired brain injury in being named NSW Woman of the Year in 2009.

Read an excerpt from “Paper Cranes” here… You can order a copy of “Paper Cranes” by visiting Cheryl’s website www.cherylkoenig.com.