About the Book

Interruptions is a true story that details Rev. Dr. Odell Montgomery Cooper’s journey after her son, Jonathan, was murdered in a case of mistaken identity, becoming another victim of gun violence. This “interruption” in Rev. Dr. O’s life ignited a domino effect of PTSD, depression, and grief, compounded by subsequent loss of employment, detachment from relationships, addiction, and suicidal ideation. This whirlwind of experiences eventually triggered a brain aneurysm, leaving her in such dire straits that her doctor suggested her family began planning for a funeral.

Rev. Dr. O shares how she emerged resilient in her struggle to overcome her physical maladies, family traditions, cultural and societal stigmas, and racial and economic disparities in mental health. She discovers a way to reinvent herself through her faith, learned experiences, and network of support.