"A candid, courageous memoir about two deeply stigmatized topics - traumatic brain injury and a mother's disenfranchised grief over the loss of her son. Brenda's story tackles these two difficult subjects with honesty and authenticity; the book will resonate with all mothers who deeply love their children. Moving and enlightening!"

- FERN SCHUMER CHAPMAN, Author of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers, Motherland

"Touching... This book tells a heartfelt story of a single Mother who defied all odds at a time when it wasn't acceptable to raise a son alone and learning more about life and love. The author does an excellent job of opening up and revealing the highs and lows of struggling with TBI, addiction and grief. Hoping this helps others in their healing process."

- lori R, Reader

In "I Got Up," Brenda delivers a gut-wrenching narrative of open vulnerability. Her compelling prose combined with her raw honesty, creates a powerful and emotionally resonant journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of resilience. This book is a must-read for those seeking a compelling narrative that will grip your heart and inspire you to move forward. 

- jane d., Reader

"Captivating. The words, sentences, paragraphs and pages keep you wanting in anticipation of where the story takes you next. Your expectation is to be submersed into a story of grief and pain. But the beauty of this book and the chapters is that it lays it out in layers, each building upon itself..."

- THOMAS H., Reader

"It's astounding how Brenda can be vulnerable and express her raw emotions about the obstacles a parent has to face when a child has this horrible condition, and I can't wait to see how it helps others heal. Managing her personal and family life alongside her son's clinical condition is a remarkable accomplishment that no parent should ever have to endure. The bond they shared will leave a lasting impression in your memory."

- SARA M., Reader