121 Days: The Corbin Raymond Story of Fighting for Life and Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a digital copy of this book prior to publication in exchange for my review.  121Days: The Corbin Raymond Story of Fighting for Life ad Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury by Sadie Raymond with Todd Civin is a well written, amazing book.  It is the story of Corbin Raymond and his family and the 121 days following his serious car accident. Corbin, who was a teenager at the time of the accident fought for his life for 121 days in the ICU at Boston Children's Hospital and at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.  Despite doctors telling Sadie that Corbin's chances of survival were not good and that if he did survive, his brain injuries would keep him from living a normal life, Sadie refused to accept that.  This is a story of courage, faith and miracles.  I highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly recommend this book. It tugs at your heart and gives intricate details to the the loved ones struggles helping those who suffered terrible accidents/events recover. I have been adjacent to such a story and this book resonated with me many others haven't. It was written in a very reader friendly and casual way. This allows anyone to read this and connect with the author and the challenges faced by those within the book.

It also touched on some of the unknown and unhappy parts of tragedies. Arguments, disagreements, and slacking in all other facets of life just to survive in the moment. How a little bit of tension can suddenly blow out of proportion at the worst moments. There was some people in the book that I truly could see parallels of in my own life and it enraged me. I also was relieved to see the story have a happy ending.

If you can handle the subject matter, I truly recommend this book.

I got this as an ARC from NetGalley.com.
I liked the book. He never stopped fighting for his life, even when he was in <spoiler>The ICU</spoiler>. His story really drew me in, as I was hoping he would be all right.
<spoiler>The part where We find out that one of the teens in the car could have gotten out, but instead held Corbin’s head up so he could breathe, was sad. </spoiler>Just keep fighting through the hard times, people. Don’t give up on things or people that seem hopeless at first. You can do it! He and his mom just kept fighting bit by bit as he gradually got better. He eventually went from being the <spoiler>The sickest patient to the healthiest patient.</spoiler>

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced read!

Wow! This book left me speechless! I can'timagine being Sadie, a mom going through a break up with children and ex's, when her son gets in a bad accident.  The families life completely changed.  The book is told by the perspective of Sadie as she navigated the healthcare system as her son's advocate day and night, all while managing family drama and raising additional children.  The last few chapters had me in happy tears, I was so proud of everything Corbin had accomplished.  This real life portrayal shows you how hope can help those perservere!

121 Days tells the story of 16-year-old Corbin Raymond, who on the 4th July 2018, is involved in a horrific car accident. His mother, Sadie, tells the story of what happened, his struggles throughout his recovery, and how she and her family advocated for Corbin throughout their entire ordeal. 

Wow, this book was so beautifully written. The emotion seeped through the pages and I felt like I was there with her. The worry, the fear during the earlier days, and then throughout his recovery - I was smiling at every milestone, even the tiny ones. 

The storytelling was strong, emotional and honest. This wasn’t just a memoir of Corbin recovering from his accident - it was also a story of the love Sadie has for her son and how that contributed to his miraculous recovery. 

It was so inspiring reading about Sadie’s fight for her son, how she refused to give up on him even when the doctors were telling her there was no hope. I also loved the love and dedication from the rest of his family - how they sat in the waiting room and by his bedside for days. The way they all pulled together to support Corbin and his parents was amazing and so heartwarming. I also liked how she showed the way a tragic accident like that can affect the family. Sadie didn’t shy away from anything - she discussed feeling like she was letting her other children down, the arguments and court cases from Corbin’s family and stepmother. And how an accident like this sends shock waves all the way down the family line, not just affecting the immediate family. 

Such a beautiful memoir that I believe could help other families who may sadly go through the same experience Sadie and Corbin did. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this inspiring novel.

After a terrible accident and the almost sure possibility of death, Corbin Raymon lives because his mother fought for him. She fought the doctors, her ex-husband, his new wife, and exhaustion. As long as her son was still breathing, she fought. She knew next to nothing about medicine and what her son needed when this began, but during her fight, she learned., and she fought. And she won. Her son survived when the doctors said it was impossible. He survived when tests showed he wouldn't. He survived because his mother wouldn't give up. This is her incredible story of the fight to bring him back.

As a nurse who has worked in palliative and critical care, this book absolutely touched my heart and gives a real insight to what it is like for the family members of those who have suffered from an accident/traumatic event. The book completely resonated with me and made me think about previous patients and relatives I have had the chance to care for and the impact it could have caused. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book, I would recommend.

This is an excellent book, with such detailed information about TBI, and advocating for your loved one when they can't . This mother's desperate journey through the hell of her child being in a traumatic car accident, not knowing what his fate will be one minute to the next, was heart wrenching. She kept all her family and loved ones updated by her daily online posts, which took everything out of her, but she felt an obligation to keep all abreast with their daily journey.
I could not put this book down, and was so happy to reach a very joyful conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book. 121 Days is a haunted recount of a story about the Raymond family, Corbin Raymond is young teenager ready to enjoy his summer and in the blink of an eye it all changes. His mother recounts the moments leading up to the accident, the accident and subsequent recovery. The topic isn’t easy to read, I cried a lot; a lot of moments reminded me of someone I recently almost lost due to an acquired brain injury; hearing her speak about her son reminded me of my son who’s the same age and similar enjoys sports in the same capacity as Corbin. It’s not for everyone, but if you can read this tough subject it’s worth it. Never give up hope.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review. 
Expected publication date: Feb. 2, 2021
On July 4, 2018, Sadie Raymond received a phone call no parent wants to receive- her teenage son, Corbin, had been in a devastating car accident and was on his way to the hospital. A few days after that, Sadie was given even worse news; she and her family were told to say their “last goodbyes” to Corbin, as he was not expected to live. But Corbin did live and 121 days later, he walked (literally) out of the hospital. “121 Days” is the story of Corbin’s struggle and overall survival, as told by his mother, Sadie. 
“121 Days” is the kind of novel that movies are made about. A young boy, grievously and tragically injured, recovers after family members are told he won’t survive. It is the kind of uplifting story that will make you grateful for your health and for the love and support of those around you. 
Raymond is very honest in her narration. She not only talks about her personal feelings throughout Corbin’s struggle, but she also details the challenges and stresses she faced as she dealt with her ex-husband (Corbin’s father) and the strain their previously amicable relationship now had to endure. Sadie openly described her fight with hospital doctors and administration, all in the name of Corbin’s health and well-being. 
The story is told all from Sadie’s perspective, from the day of the accident onward. Sadie uses snippets from her online blog (that she needed to start due to extreme interest from the community and, in fact, the entire country, in Corbin’s outcome), and then adds more personal details about her experiences. All of her feelings are laid bare, and anyone can appreciate the vulnerability of that. 
“121 Days” is the ultimate story of survival and overcoming obstacles. Although left with a brain injury that still impacts his daily life, Corbin was able to walk out of the hospital, after many medical professionals told his family he would never open his eyes. This is the perfectly gripping and emotionally heartwarming story for anyone suffering from any kind of long-term injury or illness, or for the family members of the same. Kudos to Corbin, and his mother, Sadie, who fought tooth and nail, day and night, to bring her son to the level of recuperation that he has achieved.

121 Days: The Corbin Raymond story is a truly inspiring and remarkable journey.  Corbin was in a serious car accident in which Doctors didn’t think he would survive long after it happened. With his mom and family by his side, he proved them all wrong and became a miracle. I loved his moms strength and determination during his recovery.