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Living Life in the Surprising "Afterglow" of a Tragedy: Amanda Fowler Talks about Her Amazing Journey at May 9 Fundraising Luncheon

Living Life in the Surprising "Afterglow" of a Tragedy


Amanda Fowler Talks about Her Amazing Journey at May 9 Fundraising Luncheon   


Glen Ellyn, Illinois — When the car she was riding in on 87th Street in Naperville that cold November night crashed and came to a stop, the force of the crash was so powerful that it had cracked an electric pole in half.

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As Amanda Fowler tells it:          


"In November 2005, I received an acquired traumatic brain injury as the passenger in a severe car accident. To summarize, the accident was so bad that I had to be cut out of the car with the Jaws of Life, and receive brain surgery immediately. Although the doctors did their best in trying to save me, I was given a less than 5% chance of survival. I was unable to speak, swallow, or move any part of my body. I was also diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, acute kidney failure, a subdural hematoma, a pulmonary contusion, double vision, several nerve palsies, and a few broken bones."

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And yet, in the end, she did far more than survive. Come and hear Amanda Fowler's inspiring story as she and her sister, Jennifer, tell the heart-warming story of Amanda's recovery at the Marianjoy Auxiliary's Spring Luncheon on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at the Waterleaf Restaurant at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.


The luncheon will take place in the Culinary and Hospitality Center (CHC) at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.


Amanda and Jennifer will talk abut Amanda's recovery at Marianjoy from her traumatic brain injury, and how love and hope saved Amanda's life, guiding her to use her writing to inspire others to persevere in recovering from a life-altering injury. She went on to graduate from the University of Illinois and earn her master's degree at DePaul University, and continues to write today. At the luncheon, she will also read selections from her upcoming memoir, "Afterglow." 


Social hour will begin at 11:30, with lunch to follow shortly after noon. Fowler will take the stage at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to support the Marianjoy Auxiliary and the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, a 120-bed hospital dedicated to the delivery of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Marianjoy’s clinical experts seek to address the needs of mind, body, and spirit with one purpose in mind – helping people with disabilities achieve maximum independence.  


Seating is limited, so make your reservations now. Tickets are $40 per person; please include your name, address, and phone number and list the names of those with whom you would like to be seated. You can email Amanda Fowler at afowler@marianjoy.com or make checks payable to Marianjoy Auxiliary and send reservations and information to:Janet Jones1652 Dover Ct., Apt. AWheaton, IL 60189-8447 Reservations preferred by April 30, but walk-ins are welcome. Don't miss this chance to support a wonderful organization. Marianjoy is a 501 c 3 organization. For more information about Marianjoy, please visit them online at www.marianjoy.com

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