ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah Ellen Schneider’s story is one of Survival, Hope and Renewal. These three words sum up her life and the lessons she offers people suffering from disability, depression and abuse.

In 1995, Deborah was rear-ended by a truck and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) so severe that within hours she was functioning like a five-year-old child.  She endured chronic pain, post traumatic stress syndrome, and haunting childhood memories of suffering and depression.  She also faced sexual abuse by a professional caregiver, attempted suicide, breast cancer, divorce and single parenthood. It took her eight years to rebuild her life, not the one she had before, but a new one that celebrates new beginnings.

Deborah, the mother of four boys, is now happily remarried. She received her BA in English from Muhlenberg College and is the recipient of the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award in Education.  She is a former high school English teacher, corporate trainer at J.P. Morgan Bank, and the North American head of Human Resources and Administration for Sumitomo Bank, Ltd., which at the time was the second largest bank in the world. She was an accomplished equestrian with plans to open a riding academy for people with the disabilities. She also wanted to write a book until one day a car ride changed everything.  Years later, however, Deborah achieved her dream.  Wind Dancing: the Gift of Healing Traumatic Brain Injury is her inspirational memoir and recipient of Finalist in the memoir category of The National INDIE Book Awards.
 
Critical to recovery was her rehabilitation at Transitions of Long Island, a facility for the head injured, and support from family and friends as well as strangers.  Today, even after a double mastectomy; she has had a miraculous recovery, and an amazing spiritual transformation.

Deborah reinvented her life.  She attended the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in New York and became a licensed massage therapist with a private practice specializing in pain and stress relief.  Representing the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) she is the advocate for TBI survivors and their families on Long Island.  She has resumed her equestrian activities, and she is the founder of Wind Dancing New Beginnings, Inc., an organization formed to provide consulting services in the area of lifestyle wellness.

Deborah is a motivational speaker, and she combines her experiences with passion and humor to help people recreate their lives.  She has presented at brain injury associations, hospitals, businesses, community functions, schools and universities, cancer organizations, support groups, churches, and equestrian facilities.