Norm Kerth is a highly respected software consultant and author. He has made significant pioneering contributions in the areas of pattern languages, software team development and technical leadership, reusable software, and methodologies. Known as the father of retrospectives, Norm is the author of the seminal book Project Retrospectives: A Handbook for Team Reviews. His leadership and mentoring has been an aid to the careers of many software professionals.

In 1999, Norm suffered a disabling brain injury in an automobile accident when he was rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic on a freeway outside Seattle by someone talking on a cell phone. (Please do not talk on a cell phone while driving in your car.) Norm suffered both front and rear brain injuries, with the result that he has both physical and cognitive disabilities. His physical disabilities have manifested themselves in balance and vision problems, and his cognitive disabilities have inhibited his analytical, communication, numerical, and related skills.

Since the accident, Norm has improved significantly with the help of rehabilitation therapies and medication, but he still has substantial limitations. Although his brain function is considerably better, he has very limited stamina. Norm functions fairly well for three to four hours at a time, and then he must sleep for several hours. He has about two such stretches of good functioning per day. Intellectually intensive discussions take a particularly high toll on him, literally giving him headaches and exhausting him for up to a day. Changes in weather and travel are also exhausting.

Norm has tried hard to be able to operate as a software consultant again. He has given several presentations at conferences, but he pays a tremendous price for these experiences. The combination of travel, unfamiliar environment, many simultaneous conversations in a conference setting, and the stress of giving the presentation will wear him out for days. Although at first glance he may seem to be functioning normally at a conference, his brain is propped up on powerful drugs that he can't take very often. Following a recent conference keynote, Norm's doctors are urging him not to make additional speaking commitments because the impact on his brain rehabilitation schedule is too great.

Norm has received virtually no income from his consulting business in ten years. The prognosis is not good for him being able to return to this line of work. Norm now lives on limited disability payments from private insurance and Social Security. His life partner, Peggy, is also disabled and has no income. Some friends of Norm have helped by making donations to the Norm Kerth Benefit Fund. These donations make a real difference in Norm's quality of life and his ability to continue to receive the vision and brain rehabilitation therapy and medication he needs.

The "process goodies" that are downloadable from Process Impact are shareware. All payments go directly to the Norm Kerth Benefit Fund. If you would like to help Norm with a donation of any amount, you can make a payment through PayPal or by mailing a check payable to the Norm Kerth Benefit Fund to:

Karl Wiegers
11491 SE 119th Drive
Happy Valley, OR 97086-8278

Norm is profoundly grateful for the support of his friends and well-wishers. Thanks in advance for your generosity.