Unabridged CDs • 5 CDs, 5 1?2 hours A brain scientist’s personal experience with a stroke and her journey to a full recovery.

#My Stroke of Insight - adds insight into stroke patients minds. (2008-11-22) Reading My Stroke of Insight gave me incredible insight into what it must be like to be in the mind of a stroke patient. I wish I would have known about this book while my dad was still alive. He suffered through several strokes and died in July. It gave one a new perspective on what a stroke patient is going through, which would help a love one and caregiver provide empathy for the patient. The end of the book makes you realize that we humans spend way too much time on things that do not matter and w...

#My Stoke of Insight (2008-11-20) It is a very good book related to the stoke caregivers. It has a lot of information related to recovery and get help.

#Sometimes repetative, but worthwhile.... (2008-11-19) My husband is at risk for a stroke sometime within his life time (already had a very minor one), and so I read this book seeking the detailed information promised by a scientist. The best information was to be patient, look the patient in the eyes, speak quietly and slowly over and over if necessary, stay positive and detail oriented, and develop daily plans. Good information, but sometimes too much repeat information. I also wished that the author had used less contrast description when talking about her first day and week af...

#A Must Read (2008-11-16) A very valuable book, not only for those who have suffered a stroke, but for those whose loved ones have. My husband suffered a massive stroke in 2002, several TAI s, and 2006 diagnosed with Alzheimer s. The book shows how small steps are the so important and not overwhelming for the person. Above all treating the patient and loved one with DIGNITY! Take charge of and be involved every step of the way.

#Personal Account and Great Advice (2008-11-11) This book does provide a fascinating personal account of Ms. Bolte Taylor s stroke, but it also gives inspiring advice. She had the great opportuniuty of being forced to re-program how she sees and interacts with the world and challenges the reader to do just that.

2 cassettes / 2 hoursUnabridgedRead by Rene AuberjonoisIn 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby was the editor-in-chief of French Elle, the father of two young childen, a 44-year-old man known and loved for his wit, his style, and his impassioned approach to life. By the end of the year he was also the victim of a rare kind of stroke to the brainstem.  After 20 days in a coma, Bauby awoke into a body which had all but stopped working: only his left eye functioned, allowing him to see and, by blinking it, to make clear that his mind was unimpaired. Almost miraculously, he was soon able to express himself in the richest detail: dictating a word at a time, blinking to select each letter as the alphabet was recited to him slowly, over and over again. In the same way, he was able eventually to compose this extraordinary book.By turns wistful, mischievous, angry, and witty, Bauby bears witness to his determination to live as fully in his mind as he had been able to do in his body. He explains the joy...

#Bauby s story will remain with you (2008-11-16) At this point, mostly everyone knows the story of what happened to Jean-Dominique Bauby as well as the story of his life, so it s pointless to rehash what s already common knowledge, but one thing that needs to be said (or reiterated) is that it s absolutely amazing that the late Bauby dictated this book to his therapist by blinking one letter at a time. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is a pretty quick read, but what s contained within is, at the risk of sounding cliche, deeply moving and powerful. To think that someone was patient e...

#Interesting book, although not what I expected (2008-11-07) Interesting book. I m left a little stranded when deciding how I feel about it. Jean-Dominique, a 43 year old editor of the French Elle Magazine, has a massive stroke and is left trapped in his own body. His brain, his wit, his intelligence are still there, but his only communication with the outside word is the blinking of his left eye. The writing is lovely and touching and very sad as he describes things as varied as the day of his stroke, his dreams, a Father s Day at the beach with his kids, and the letters his fr...

#THE book, i read it in a coffee guzzling epiphany filled evening (2008-10-07) omgthis bookas i said, i read this in 1 eveningguzzling coffee, carrying the book to the kitchen along as i refilled my mug, reading, underlining, scribbling quotes down for later meditation, i immediately lent it to a friend, and left voicemails on phones for others to read it, like yesterday, this is a must have for anyone, but especially for you if you sometimes wonder why life is special, just as it is. please get itthat will make me happyand you know that s what its all about:)

#A True Inspiration For Us All (2008-10-01) Jean-Dominique Bauby s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a truly moving and inspirational memoir by a man rendered incapable of any communication except for the blinking of his left eye and very slight head movement. Bauby had suffered from a stroke, which led to what is so aptly known as `locked-in-syndrome . Bauby, a distinguished journalist who had been editor-in-chief at Elle, famously used his one book contract with a publisher (signed before the stroke) to write this memoir by recounting his story through blinking his left eye to spe...

#What I learned from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2008-09-26) I learned for some men passion and lust is more important than love no matter how painful.

When Eve suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm, Madonna Siles, her housemate and friend, too quickly found herself making critical short- and long-term medical care decisions without any help. When the insurance and financial resources ran out and the conventional therapy providers discharged zombie-like Eve to the homecare of a solitary caregiver, both their futures seemed hopeless.Instead of giving up, Madonna Siles drew on life experience and her marketing career to develop a rehabilitation program that harnessed the power of the subconscious mind. Using motivational techniques borrowed from the advertising world, she appealed to Eve’s subconscious to bypass the brain damage and restore normal functioning. In three short years, even the doctors were amazed at Eve’s recovery and return to a near-normal life.Part memoir, part recovery manual, Brain, Heal Thyself is a guidebook for thousands of shell-shocked individuals who suddenly find themselves having to make life and death deci...

#Uplifting read, but very general (2008-08-08) This was an enjoyable book to read (considering the topic), but it didn t offer much in the way of specifics for care giving or rehabilitation. Much of the book is dedicated to telling the author s story, and it also heavily references the 12 step program. Although I didn t get the specifics I was looking for, I did get a few ideas for additional research, such as eye exercises for regaining balance. Additionally, the book did provide me with a sense of hopeful optimism about my care giving situation.

#Seven Stars! (2008-07-22) I do not remember the excrutiating pain I was apparently in when I had my brain aneurysm. Nor do I recall my months of recovery in hospitals and the nursing home. But I am very grateful that my friend and caregiver never gave up on using her emotion-based approach to brain rehab. I typed the manuscript for Brain, Heal Thyself. I also proofread it. I believe all caregivers and stroke patients (who can read) SHOULD read Brain, Heal Thyself. This caregiving method saved my life. I give this book seven stars!Eve

#Interesting, but not helpful.... (2008-04-16) This book was interesting, but not particularly helpful in terms of information. I sincerely hope the caregiver has stopped smoking since this is one of the number one causes of stroke and I can t imagine smoking around a stroke victim. The degree of care provided to the stroke victim by the author is interesing as it certainly did not impress me as what would be provided by someone in a true caretaker role--no mention of attending PT sessions, meeting with physicians, etc. Also no real information on what was helpful and what wasn...

#a must read if you want to help someone recover (2007-07-12) I am a caregiver for someone recovering from a stroke - so I read the second part of the book first, where Madonna takes Eve home and begins her common sense and using-everything-she-ever-learned-in-life approach to helping her friend recover. Every occupational therapist in America should be required to read this book. It s a great book, an easy read, by a wonderful, creative, funny, honest human being. Madonna will cause you to start thinking creatively about how you can help your loved one in your daily interactions wit...

#One of the most important self-help books on the market (2006-08-05) Brain, Heal Thyself: A Caregiver s New Approach To Recovery From Stroke, Aneurysm, And Traumatic Brain Injuries is one of the most important self-help books on the market. The author s good friend experienced a near-fatal brain aneurysm and recovered: her title blends memoir and medical insights and will appeal to any caregiver who wants a blend of `how to and biography.

Tedy gives you something to believe in. Whether we re winning or losing, he holds his head high, and he knows himself and handles himself so well, others can t help but follow him. The way he practices and plays forces you to become a better teammate, the way he demands hustle and toughness forces you to become a better leader, and the way he carries himself inspires you to become a better person. This made his return to playing on October 30 against Buffalo all the more electrifying. The stadium was louder that night than the nights we had raised our Super Bowl banners. Our captain, our leader, our inspiration was back on the field doing what he loved to do. Tedy had spent months rehabbing, had countless doctor visits, and had undergone hundreds of tests trying to play again. Just eight months after our victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, here we were celebrating a much bigger victory on our home field. Sure it was great to win the game, but that night we were celebrating Tedy s return as he...

#The best book I ve read this year (2008-10-30) This is without a doubt the most inspirational book I ve read. I ve always been a huge fan of Tedy Bruschi s, and after this book I have a whole new respect for him and his family for what they went through. It s a great book for everyone, regardless of how they feel about the Patriots!

#Candid and Inspiring (2008-08-15) Never Give Up is the journey of Tedy Bruschi and how he went from Super Bowl Champion/Pro Bowl participant to hoping he could lead a normal life. Bruschi suffered a mild stroke that impaired his vision and ability to walk. He and his wife Heidi received a crash course in what it means to have a stroke and how it can impact your life. Bruschi details how this event caused turmoil in his personal and professional life and how he went from being completely striped of any hope of playing football again to becoming a leading spokesman for stroke awarenes...

#Insperation (2008-03-28) Truly insperational. I love Tedy Bruschi and this shows the heart of a true sportsman and a great person. This book is easy to read and a must read if you are a PATS fan at all!

#Never Give Up (2008-02-15) I haven t finished the book, but what i have read is excellent. It was well written, and I felt it explained in the details of his life.

#Fantastic!! (2008-02-10) I am a HUGE Patriots fan and i could not put this book down. I am 14 years old and i have to read every single night and i was excited when i started to read this book. This book makes you think about what you have and the things that you take for granted. Even though the patriots lost the super bowl i got over it quicker than i would of since i had just finished the book. I liked the insight on what goes on and what goes through the NFL players head. You have got to read this inspirational book!

Billions of dollars are spent each year researching stroke rehabilitation and treatment techniques, but most are not well communicated to patients or caregivers. As a result, many stroke survivors are treated with outdated or ineffective therapies. Stronger After Stroke puts the power of recovery in the reader’s hands by providing easy instructions for reaching the highest possible level of healing. Written for stroke survivors, their caregivers, and their loved ones, the book presents a new approach that is startling in its simplicity: stroke survivors recover by using the same learning techniques that anyone uses to master anything. Basic concepts are covered, including repetition of task-specific movements, proper scheduling of practice, challenges at each stage of recovery, and setting goals and recognizing achievements. Stronger After Stroke bridges the gap between stroke survivors and what they desperately need: easily understandable and scientifically accurate information on h...

#Great Book! (2008-11-07) I bought this book hoping to get some useful tips to help in the recovery of my eight year old son, who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2007. I was immediately taken with the book, and how much hope it offers not only stroke patients, but also TBI patients. Thank you so much for writing a book that gives us, as caregivers, a plan of action and insight when maybe traditional therapy methods are not getting us the progress we think we can be seeing. This book reaffirms the basic principle that if there is a will, there is a way.

#The Ultimate Motivation for Stroke Survivors (2008-11-03) Stronger After Stroke is easy to read and extremely motivational. The reader can tell that Peter has been invested in working with survivors and getting the most out of recovery. He gives detailed information on making a plan, current, cutting edge treatment options, exercise, controlling spasticity, and staying invested in your success. As an occupational therapist, I highly recommend this book to all my stroke survivors and have been using it as a tool for a support group. Thanks, Peter, for this excellent resource!!

#Stronger After Stroke is a motivational, insirational, practicel and all-inclsive book that every stroke survivor should read! (2008-10-17) Stronger After Stroke is motivational, inspirational, insightful, practical and all inclusive! Every stroke survivor should read this book. The author states that if after your stroke, you ve accepted your decline the book isn t for you. It s for survivors who want to get better!It s refreshing to read a book that focuses on recovery rather than adapting one s lifestyle to the stroke. The author states throughout the book that the most impor...