Development Professional | Higher Education | Writer
Writing her own story as it unfolds while amplifying the voice of others
Beyond a Lifequake: A Memoir
A Journey of Recovery, Reinvention, and Love, Across Borders.
ABOUT
‘Beyond a Lifequake: A Memoir’ is Tarini Mohan’s debut book. Her writing has, however, been ever-present, appearing in various realms of life, from school to her professional life. Her articles have been featured in publications like, The Indian Express, The Wire, Huffington Post, Next Billion, and the Yale University websiteTarini grew up in New Delhi, India, and attended Wellesley College in Boston, USA, where she earned her BA with a double major in Economics and Philosophy, After graduating, she worked on Wall Street at Morgan Stanley for two years during the 2008 recession. However, after a few years, she followed her heart and moved to Kampala, Uganda to work on proposal writing for fundraising in the international development sector.
Tarini attended Yale University’s School of Management (SOM) from where she received an MBA degree. Upon graduating, she returned home to India to work in the education sector.The Indian Express, The Wire, Huffington Post, Next Billion, and the Yale University website
BOOK
About The Book:
It Takes A Village: A Memoir About Recovering from a Lifequake is the story of grit, determination, and the power of human connections to help us keep at it when we are at our lowest. Through this memoir, readers will accompany Tarini on her journey of recovering from life-altering trauma. A journey including rigorous rehabilitation, overcoming several insecurities in adjusting to her new reality, and eventually achieving her original dream of graduating from Yale University’s School of Management.
The book begins on the day Tarini, a bright young woman in her early 20s, is caught in a tragic motorbike-taxi accident in Kampala, Uganda. Her oversight of not wearing a helmet led to her suffering a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Flashbacks show how the author had loved life, and the boundless possibilities contained within it. From a cushy Wall Street job, she had recently moved to Uganda to work at a nonprofit in the development sector. She had planned to spend a year working in Uganda, and then apply for a graduate degree in the US. However, the author’s aspirations were cut short by her injury, as she remained in a coma for three-months. Regaining consciousness was merely the beginning of her arduous journey towards reclaiming life. Every step was a hurdle, from re-learning how to walk and speak to navigating the world with new and enduring disabilities.
‘It Takes A Village:
WRITINGS
Creative Writing:
Creative piece published in 2019 on this blog entitled, ‘Aching to be Set Free on the Streets of Berkeley’
Summary: A fictionalized reading of the tenor saxophonist, Mark Turner’s jazz track “Berkeley Street” depicting the protagonist, Aria, as she listens to the music and feels inspired to write a story based on the narrative she hears in the saxophone’s melody. She imagines Turner’s soul yearning for freedom, and sees a contrast between his reserved character, and the vivaciousness of his saxophone. Aria considers the complexity of the music as intellectual yet enjoyable and attempts to decode Turner’s character through his playing.
Writing on Personal Recovery from Accident: (2012-2020)
Writings on this recovery blog, ‘Post TBI Musings’
Last article on blog, titled ‘Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do’ also published by Yale at https://som.yale.edu/blog/dreams-don-t-work-unless-you-do
Summary: The article is a personal reflection by Tarini on her experience of recovering from a traumatic brain injury and enrolling at Yale School of Management for her MBA. She recounts the challenges she faced, including physical therapy, chronic pain, and speech difficulties, and her doubts and insecurities about her ability to pursue a graduate degree. She credits the support of her family and friends, as well as the enabling system of American universities, for allowing her to transform her life and pursue her dreams.
What Readers Are Saying
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Mike Sendler
Review on Book 1
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Charmaine Tobey
Review on Book 1
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Delmar Byers
Review on Book 1
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Shanna Margolis
Review on Book 1
Upcoming Book
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