Many years ago I interviewed a very close friend of mine, Irene, whom I started my radio broadcasting career journey alongside with, at Tuks FM.
So this interview was right in the core pulse of my heart.
I sat down with Irene to chat about one of the most impactful moments in her life, that completely changed, quite literally, everything.
Who is Irene?
Irene Fischer or Margarine, as she is fondly known in central South Africa, was the young and popular traffic presenter on the Mambo Jumbo show on OFM.
Irene Fischer – author of “I’m Still Here” chats to me about life that changed when a 25-ton truck skipped a red light crushing her car, with her in it. She was medically termed as being dead, twice, in a coma, with brain damage and no sign of talking, walking, or living.
Irene sits in front of us today and has accomplished so much more than what the world expected she could be.
Irene Fischer is an award-winning author and motivational speaker who lives in South Africa. She is a former radio personality whose debut, I Am Still Here (a nonfiction memoir) won two SA Independent Publisher Awards, including the Miriam Tlali prize for best autobiography/memoir.
Irene quickly realized that there exists an enormous information gap regarding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which often causes awful preconceived ideas and rather ignorant remarks.
She decided to do something about it and wrote her memoir to inspire change in the lives of those living with the repercussions of a TBI as well as their loved ones. To educate the general public and to shed some light on the often heavy topic of brain damage to diffuse the distasteful stigma that so often clings to it.
“I strive to cultivate understanding in each person I meet which will hopefully lead to compassion, respect, and much-needed consideration to anyone living with a disability.”
Her book is available in English, I am Still Here, and Afrikaans Ek is Nog Hier.
You can purchase your copy of the book here!
Listen to the podcast interview
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