Finished July 24
One Hundred Names for Love: a stroke, a marriage, and the language of healing by Diane Ackerman
I admit that I've taken my time over this book for a couple of reasons. First the writing is so good (as Ackerman always is) that I wanted to take my time and really savour it. Second, the ideas she presents are so provoking that I want to take the time to think about them and how I feel about them.
The book is told over time beginning with Ackerman's Paul West (who is also an author that I haven't yet read, but am now intrigued to) having a massive stroke that resulted in global aphasia. That means he lost his language skills. He couldn't talk, or read, or understand. It begins in the hospital with evaluation and treatment. At first Paul can only say "mem" which he says over and over. He has some physical challenges as well in moving his body, relearning how to walk steadily, sit down, get into bed and hold objects. Two fingers on his right hand are cramped up into a claw.
Despite the massive brain damage, Ackerman and West refuse to give up. Ackerman details their daily life once West moves home, how they adjust their routine, how Ackerman must change her relationship with him, and what therapies they use are.
This is indeed a story of love. Because of Paul's long relationship with language as a writer, language is one of the main tools they use in their therapy. Ackerman is totally open and honest in this book, sharing her doubts, joys, and innermost feelings. A wonderful book with insights into the mysteries of healing.
Showing posts with label Stroke Victims. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stroke Victims. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Memoir
Finished May 22
My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor
This memoir is of Taylor's stroke, how she recovered, and what she learned from it. First she gives us the background to her life before her stroke, and what led her to her career as a neuroanatomist. Then she gives us information on how the brain works, which is useful to see what her stroke affected and why she reacted the way she did. Following this we see what she went through when she had her stroke, her thoughts during this time and her actions. Her stroke was severe and affected her ability to get help for herself. This section was very interesting and informative. Following this are several chapters telling of her recovery, first her making herself strong enough for the surgery required and then her slow recovery beyond that. As she says, her life is different know and as she recovered she made choices to not recover some of the negative things in her life, not an easy task. She ends with finding the peace that is within all of us, something she learned from her experience and wants to share with others who haven't gone through the trauma, but can still access that peace if they try. All in all a very interesting book, offering something to think about.
My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor
This memoir is of Taylor's stroke, how she recovered, and what she learned from it. First she gives us the background to her life before her stroke, and what led her to her career as a neuroanatomist. Then she gives us information on how the brain works, which is useful to see what her stroke affected and why she reacted the way she did. Following this we see what she went through when she had her stroke, her thoughts during this time and her actions. Her stroke was severe and affected her ability to get help for herself. This section was very interesting and informative. Following this are several chapters telling of her recovery, first her making herself strong enough for the surgery required and then her slow recovery beyond that. As she says, her life is different know and as she recovered she made choices to not recover some of the negative things in her life, not an easy task. She ends with finding the peace that is within all of us, something she learned from her experience and wants to share with others who haven't gone through the trauma, but can still access that peace if they try. All in all a very interesting book, offering something to think about.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Mysteries of the Mind
Finished November 22
The Man Who Forgot How to Read by Howard Engel
This memoir by Engel tells the story of how he dealt with the stroke that took away his ability to read, among other things. It was a mild stroke, and did not affect his physical movement but besides the alexia, it also affected his vision and his memory. Because Engel, as a writer, naturally took to writing to communicate, and was still able to write despite not being able to read, he describes what is going on within very well. He talks about his struggle to learn to read again and the tools he uses to assist him in this. He also talks about his coping mechanisms for his memory problems and what has changed in his behaviour. He contacted Oliver Sachs about his condition and includes a couple of meetings with him in this work. I found the book fascinating as he shows the coping mechanisms and the thought behind them in coping with his disabilities.
The Man Who Forgot How to Read by Howard Engel
This memoir by Engel tells the story of how he dealt with the stroke that took away his ability to read, among other things. It was a mild stroke, and did not affect his physical movement but besides the alexia, it also affected his vision and his memory. Because Engel, as a writer, naturally took to writing to communicate, and was still able to write despite not being able to read, he describes what is going on within very well. He talks about his struggle to learn to read again and the tools he uses to assist him in this. He also talks about his coping mechanisms for his memory problems and what has changed in his behaviour. He contacted Oliver Sachs about his condition and includes a couple of meetings with him in this work. I found the book fascinating as he shows the coping mechanisms and the thought behind them in coping with his disabilities.
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