Hit Hard: One Family's Journey of Letting Go of What Was--and Learning to Live Well with What Is

Hit Hard is the painfully open story of how the entire McLeod Family copes with ambiguous loss. “Ambiguous loss is a loss that occurs without closure or understanding. This kind of loss leaves one searching for answers, and thus complicates and delays the process of grieving, and often results in unresolved grief.” The McLeod family (mother, father, daughter and three sons) are suddenly struck when their teenage son and brother, Zach, endures a serious brain injury on an athletic field.A very spiritual family must now care for their beloved son while attempting to keep Zach’s siblings on track so they may achieve their own place in life. Not to mention maintain their own marriage. I was stunned by the complete frankness in which Tammy and Pat McLeod shared their innermost turmoil, pain, frustration and anger while never relinquishing love, hope and faith.Personally, I found myself better off reading Hit Hard early in the evening. Otherwise, I had difficulty falling asleep recalling the McLeod’s daily insurmountable struggles and raw pain. If you’ve ever questioned how you would hope to react in the face of an unspeakable event, read this book.I attended a book signing for Hit Hard at the Concord (MA) Library in late summer. If there is an individual, other than Zach McLeod, who innately exhibits greater unconditional love along with staggering mental and physical toughness, I have yet to meet them. One is inspired being in Zach’s presence. He is simply an exceptional human being and is the basis for how this loving family finds a circuitous path to remain intact and move forward. My only wish and hope, for the McLeod Family, is that they appreciate the complete effort each family member continues to contribute. One can only do their level best, yet the McLeod Family continues to exceed that formidable goal. May God bless your family.

Tammy and Pat tell the story of their family's journey through a series of terrible challenges starting with the life-altering injury of their oldest son. They are open and totally honest about their thoughts, feelings, and interpersonal challenges throughout and give a glimpse into what true commitment to family means. They are open with their struggles, and yet never gave up on each other and have clung to God through everything. Their faith is truly inspiring. Whether you are a person of faith or not, this book will be an encouragement to any reader. Tammy and Pat paint a picture of hope in the midst of the most terrible storms in life and grieving and celebrating all the losses and high points along the way. Their story, as well as that of their kids will capture your heart and it is hard to put this book down.This book will be incredibly helpful to anyone who has experienced loss, but especially for people who have experienced ambiguous loss or unresolved grief. This the type of loss involved when someone is missing or they are there, but not in the same way (eg neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries). It also gives great insight on the value of people with disabilities and how even those who cannot achieve success as our society defines it can make a profound impact on peoples' lives.I know Tammy and Pat and their four kids and they are some of my heroes. This book is like having a long conversation with them and draws you in with their warmth, honesty, and genuineness. You may not have the privilege of knowing them personally as I have, but I encourage you to get to know them by reading this book.

My friend Tammy McLeod once said to me, “Suffering is Suffering”.We were talking about a painful event in my own family, that by comparison seemed insignificant to the losses she was and would continue to experience as her family walked through her son Zach's traumatic brain injury. Her words gave me freedom to do my own grieving, and to show compassion to others without placing suffering on a scale of “degrees” of pain incurred.Tammy and her husband Pat have written Hit Hard; a beautiful account of their experience with the unexpected, loss and pain. Their son Zach was gravely injured in a high school football game and the book details their lives from that first shocking night to the present, and their growing understanding of “ambiguous loss” as they navigate life with Zach in the here and now. Having known the McLeod family since their arrival in Boston, and having experienced first-hand the wild joy of their children (tons of laughs with Zach and Nate especially), I highly recommend this book. You won’t be able to put it down and will gain an honest insider’s view of how navigating the unexpected can look differently depending on who is experiencing it (Pat and Tammy alternate, writing from separate perspectives through the various events).Look for upcoming booksignings in your area as well~ you won’t want to miss meeting Pat and Tammy (and possiblyZach) in person!

I bought this book because my son's long-time girlfriend has a brother who suffered a brain/concussion injury at football practice last year and I thought it would help shed some light on what the family is going through....and it did just that. On the outside looking in, I don't see all the emotions....I hear about a bad day here and there, and continue to see this young man and applaud his very slow progress and pray endlessly for him and the family as they walk this very hard road. Pat and Tammy McLeod bare their emotions and knowing they have an endless source of strength from their Lord and Savior shows how important faith, courage and community are in all our lives. As I read this book....in a day's time.....there were two other young football players in our area who suffered brain injuries at Friday night games. The dissertations they put in the book about their feelings about football were spot on with so much of how I feel, and I thank God that my son made it through high school football with just minor injuries. If you or someone you know are dealing with ambiguous loss (so thankful they put a name to it through their research), it is such a great read.