Where Did i Go?
Concussion
A gentle guide through the complexities of brain injury, illuminating the path for those in the summer season of recovery.
Where Did i Go? is a powerful chronicle of remarkable individuals sharing accounts that provide inspiration and practical recovery methods from experts, mirroring the themes of endurance and education woven throughout.
“It is important work, and I commend you for putting in the effort, all while living with the effects of brain injury every day. Where Did i Go? offers insight into the effects brain injury can have on all aspects of a person’s life. It is an excellent read for both brain injury survivors and professionals who may serve this community. It is so important to consider and listen to the lived experience(s) of brain injury survivors, as is highlighted through Francene’s words.” — Marlee Smith, Navigator, Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia
Educator Review: Where Did i Go?, a memoir plus by Francene Gillis. I highly recommend this book as a must-read. The story of courage and coping comes through very clearly. Struggles with mental illnesses are often overlooked, and help is often so difficult to come by—as evidenced in this book. Following Francene’s journey is one of endurance and strength as she winds her way through the medical system. I believe this book should be in every school, every doctor’s office, and in the hands of every person suffering from head injuries. — Morag Graham, Retired Teacher & Principal, Strait Regional School Board, Nova Scotia
The Injury
Understanding the sudden shift when the world becomes scary and unfamiliar. This section explores the raw reality of a brain injury, the initial impact and the profound sense of loss that often follows a life-altering injury. Where to go for help is a cry that echoes in screams of confusion.
If you'd like to have me as a guest or as a speaker, email me at fgillis123@gmail.com I want to help others.
Reference available through:
BIANS Nova Scotia Brain Injury Association
Anne O'Connell, OC Publisher
Rankin MacDonald, Publisher, Editor, Inverness Oran
A Memoir Plus
The Recovery
Practical tools and emotional strategies for the long road back with advice and suggestions from the experts. We dive into the patience required for healing and the small victories that build the foundation for a new way of being. We discover what is most important in the healing process and how to help ourselves.
In A Heartbeat
Seven true testaments to the resilience of the human spirit. This final section focuses on rediscovering purpose and the quiet strength discovered in the aftermath of tragedy. It provides what Francene wished she had when she fell, and tells why she needed stories to help her through. It is a must for anyone at risk of a head injury or anyone working with the brain injured.
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
Reader Impact:
Beyond your story’s effect on me personally, Where Did i Go? has the potential to deeply impact readers who have experienced traumatic injuries, health crises, or profound loss.
Your memoir is a beacon for those seeking guidance, empathy, and encouragement, and it provides insights that can help others understand the complexity and nuance of recovery from “hidden” injuries.
Within the memoir and inspirational nonfiction space, your book stands out due to its combination of lived experience, advocacy, and educational insight. By blending personal narrative with the stories of others navigating health and injury challenges, you’ve created a compelling resource that is both informative and emotionally resonant.
This unique approach ensures your work reaches readers looking for authenticity, hope, and actionable understanding. Christine Johnson
"Transformative: There are books that inform, and there are books that transform and Where Did i Go? belongs firmly in the latter category. Francene Gillis has written a memoir that is as instructive as it is deeply emotional, blending personal storytelling with vital education on brain injury awareness and mental health. Her voice is that of a survivor, a teacher, and a compassionate guide. She takes readers from the moment of her fall on black ice through the long, winding process of recovery, one marked by confusion, fear, laughter, and, above all, determination.What makes this book extraordinary is its depth of reflection.
"Gillis explores the invisible aftermath of trauma, the loss of identity, the struggle to communicate, the loneliness of being misunderstood and transforms it into something radiant and full of purpose. Her love for her students, family, and community pulses through every chapter, reminding us that connection is at the heart of healing. The addition of visuals, quotes, and educational sections makes it not just a memoir but also a living resource for others walking a similar path. By the end, Where Did i Go? feels like a love letter to life itself, a reminder that even when we lose who we were, there is beauty and power in becoming someone new. Francene Gillis has written a brave, generous, and necessary book that deserves to be shared widely. It is a triumph of honesty and resilience, written by a woman who proves that even the hardest falls can lead to the most profound transformations." Reviewer
I thank all reviewers for their kind words.
★★★★★
Book Reviews
★★★★★
Moms & Educators
★★★★★
A Mom: Hey Francene, I finished your book today. I cried a little and laughed at the similarities between you and my daughter. The big one—even today—exhaustion leads to mistakes/poor choices! I was amazed at the same experiences and feelings. Mourning the old you and learning to appreciate the new person who emerged. It’s an incredible story. As a mom, I wish this had been available 6 years ago! Great read. Very well articulated and well-written. Wish I had this as a resource. It will help a ton of people. — Gail Promponas, Cape Cod, MA
I just stumbled across Where Did i Go? Wow… you didn’t just tell a story. You opened a portal into the raw, unfiltered reality of living through hidden injury, the invisible battles that most readers can’t even imagine. The way you wove your own experience with mild traumatic brain injury alongside the stories of others it’s powerful, deeply human, and impossible to put down. Your narrative doesn’t just inform, it connects, inspires, and even comforts those who feel lost in the chaos of health struggles, trauma, and life’s sudden crashes. —Desolate Barhrakatt
“Francene, you’ve showed me that there is much to learn from every client who walks through my door. Thank you for your dedication, honesty, vulnerability, and sense of humour. This book is a great read for any clinician who wants to better understand how to practice patient-centred care. Francene puts into words how and why we need to listen to our clients and learn about their individual experiences. Only from there can we see the entire picture and work together toward our client’s goals.” — Marlee Mousek, Speech Pathologist
Media Coverage
Click on links below to explore recent conversations and media features where Francene Gillis shares the profound journey and insights behind Where Did i Go? a memoir plus.
A wonderful podcast and interview with David Campbell for his series Living The Next Chapter, Episode 591, 2025. He gets to the nitty gritty--the reason for the title and the book, and why Francene sees it as vital for clinicians, medical personnel, parents, seniors, schools, libraries, those injured and feeling lost. Everyone is at risk of injury and prevention and knowledge is the best way to concussion proof yourself and your loved ones.
Francene shares her story with Brain Injury Canada, stressing the importance of visibility for brain injury survivors, and education for those medical practitioners working with patients. A snippet follows.
In 2016, I slipped on black ice while rushing into my high school in western Cape Breton, where I taught grades 10-12. The fall back onto pavement unceremoniously ended my beloved career. I remember my head bouncing twice on the pavement, then lights out.
Author Spotlight Interview
What an honour and privilege to be asked to do a keynote presentation for the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia, (BIANS) Nov. 2025. Their organization, with segments in provinces across Canada are a wonderful resource and advocate for people with brain injuries and their loved ones. It took me years to discover them, and because screens and print are difficult at first we must depend on those who care to educate themselves so they can help if we sustain a concussion, mTBI, TBI, ABI, and so on.
Global Brain Injury Resources
These links are resources found in Where Did i Go? a memoir plus, published by OC Publishing. Lots more to come, so visit often!
National advocacy and support network providing resources for survivors and caregivers.
One of my favourite sites for valuable, evidence-based resources. Something for everyone.
Nova Scotia's BIAN's website. BIAS are across Canada and the United States.
Evidence-based guidelines and treatment protocols for North Americans. Find your State for more.
David a Grant Founder, online support group meetings and blogs to encourage and help others
We are All
We are All
At Risk!
At Risk!