1 comments about On the Edge of Reality.

1. a good account of a person's struggle through mental illness. A good selection for a psych class, too!

No comments about Valley of Darkness.

No comments about A Journey of Healing.

4 comments about Perfectly Normal: A Mother's Memoir.

1. I thought there might be something of value here re kids with disabilities, but there's nothing but a general whine about 'poor me'. Many women just aren't cut out to be mothers, and it's unfortumate for the child's sake that they can't know this beforehand. Disabled children are children just the same, it only takes more patience and effort to thrive.



2. She absolutely nailed the most painful themes associated with having a child with hydrocephalus (or similar conditions) from a MOTHER'S perspective.

   Although I had a difficult time relating to the marital issues and women's liberation struggles specific to this author (she was only 19 when she had her son in 1965) I found the central themes associated with mothering an ill child to be very powerful.

   The author articulates the pain, frustration, anger and other raw emotion only a mother faced with such circumstances can know. I'm going to ask my husband and my own mother to read it next.




3. Sheiner's memoir of dealing with her child's disability is beyond inspirational. For those who have grown tired of memoirs that sugar-coat the realities of how children with disabilities, and especially their parents, are treated within the medical community, this is a realistic account. Sheiner shares raw reality--this is quality writing.



4. I loved this book! I have "hydro," as so many of us call it, and Daryl, Marcie's son, is a friend of mine. He is only slightly older, and although he has been through a lot more than I have, I think this book would be encouraging and uplifting to anyone, especially a parent facing a diagnosis of hydro in a child.

   I was touched by this book in two ways. Besides having hydro, I have a son with autism and Chiari malformation (herniated cerebellum), and I identified with a lot of Marcie's frustration with parents of "normal" kids who just don't get how we feel when they complain of things like runny noses and ear infections after we have been through serious health situations with our kids. She writes candidly and sometimes brutally honestly about it.

   I said four stars because, although I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who needs encouragement when facing a situation like this, she is oftentimes a bit too open about certain aspects of her life that have nothing to do with Daryl's hydro...and the language can be shocking to someone who isn't expecting it. If you can handle that, I know you'll benefit from this honest, compassionate story.

5 comments about Brain-Damage: A Book About Overcoming Cognitive Deficit and Creating the New You.

1. Brain Damage is an amazing journey. Both the story and its author are testaments to the indomitableness of the human spirit in its quest for wholeness. However, the author's pilgrimage, compelling in its own right, is but a subplot to a recurring theme throughtout the book. This is a love story, marriage the way God intended it. "For better or worse, in sickness and in health"--vows often spoken but not always honored, expecially when tested the way these were. You will love this book, and you will love the way these two people love each other. Enjoy their journey, then I challenge you. See if you can ever again be angry with your spouse for ignoring the budget or failing to lower the toilet seat.



2. What can I say....I laughed, I cried (rest in peace, Shardak), and then I laughed again (out loud, alone in the room, 1 AM). I saw myself and wondered why anyone who has ever lost their car keys is not in the same program right along with the "Rehabbers". Dick shares some very personal moments with his readers (some of these things it would never occur to me to share with some of my closest friends). He really grabs you and makes you think.....and laugh....and cry.... I felt like I was sitting and sharing secrets with my best friend. Truly inspirational, in many ways!! Thanks for sharing yourself with the world!!



3. Dick Schmeltzof's very personal book, Brain Damage, is both heartwarming and informative. He treats a very serious subject with humor, wit and compassion. It is difficult to imagine the drastic changes that have occurred in Dick's life since the emergency surgery to remove a tumor on his pituitary gland. But through his carefully constructed narrative, we can "feel" his frustrations and also revel in the incremental -- yet moving forward -- progress that he makes. His is a story of great courage, hope and love; a lesson for Humanity. Thanks to Dick for sharing this moving and insightful story of life after brain surgery. Readers will laugh. They will weep. And finally, they will applaud this incredible human being. Dick demonstrates a real gift for storytelling through this book. Let's hope he delights us with "Brain Damage II".



4. This is one story that will inspire many people and give them hope for recovery from brain injuries. The author uses humor and wit and weaves his story of how he over came and coped with his "brain damge". It is a positive message about a serious concern. The book is a great read even if you do not have anyone in your lfie with brain damage - it really is about attitude and how you can cope with whatever happens to you in your life.
   
   I totally recomend this book to all readers. It will add something to your life in a positive way. It is uplifting!



5. As a psychologist for 30 years I have read many professional texts and self-help books. This is a valuable book for people entering the healing professions as well as for patients and their caretakers because, throughout, it touches on a man's path to recovering from brain damage. It touches on his creating a personal philosophy to see him through, skills he learned along the way, including self-assertion, and finally the love he's learned along the way.
   Dick Schmelzkopf's book, Brain Damage: Overcoming adversity with wit and humor, challenges us to observe what is, to most of us, the mundane choices of life, what to wear, doing chores, and handling finances through his brain-damaged mind. This book is a practical, no-nonsense, road map outlining the rehabilitation process of a brain-damaged man ... and more. In addition, the author describes what one can expect to experience along the way and shares his views that will help people understand what tools one needs on such a journey. It will make the trip easier for all who make this journey and those who accompany them. Reading this book illuminates our lives and can only make us more tolerant, compassionate, and caring. I'm a better psychologist for having read it.
   Philosophy
   From his first thoughts after surgery, Dick Schmelzkopf psychologically reframes how he sees life. Dick's advice to "Add Quality of Life to your personal credo" will shake the whininess out of anyone's "pity party." Many who have died on the operating table and are brought back to life also make this shift in their thinking through the transformational experience.
   Dick avoids sliding into non-productive funks when he admonishes us, "Don't beat yourself up ... Remember it and learn by it." Combine Dick's advice to us all that we "... need challenges and interests. If you don't have one, get one," with his personal stance, "I will never, never give up," which explains much of his success. Dick's dogged determination to master whatever functions his brain surgery left him is a model to everyone, with or without brain damage. Dick's prior work as a salesman has, I believe, contributed to his use of affirmations like, "I have a positive attitude that guarantees success." Dick adapted the adage, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade," into his personal mantra, "If you're given brain damage, write about it." In addition to being great rehabilitation therapy for him, it gives his life meaning and purpose that this book "... will give somebody an idea of how to help themselves or someone they love."
   Skills
   This book has many techniques for the brain-damaged person to use to enhance the quality of their life and the lives of their caregivers. His recitation of his abilities, pre and post- surgery, can be an instruction manual, both for the patient and for caregivers. Whether discussing the impact on his decision-making or judgment, Dick lays out the roadmap of how a brain-damaged person can regain control of whatever is left by the surgeon's scalpel. Dick constantly reminds us of the need for the acceptance of the "slow and arduous task" of rehabilitation by patients, caregivers and health care professionals.
   Dick teaches us by example. His strategy of linking his interests in darts to solving a math problem clearly shows how a brain-damaged person can learn how to cope. He serves up the problems he's had, like pattern recognition, then follows up with helpful hints for dealing with his "broken recognizer." Dick's rituals, for rebuilding his vocabulary, are his menu for finding and using what works for him. Dick's "Rule number one" for the cognitively challenged (and their caregivers) is proof that his "... pen is mightier that the surgeon's sword." Dick's comment about his re-learned poker skills are a warning to us all, should we ever find ourselves across a poker table from him.
   His determination to define himself in his new life is a triumphant assertion of the human spirit and will. Dick's response to people who treat him as less than equal is a prime example of a psychologically healthy outlook, succinctly put, that others see him as a person of worth and dignity, handicap be damned. Dick's admonition that "Brain-damaged means we may be a little slower in some areas, but don't count us out," works as well for those with an aging brain as it is instructive to caregivers and health care professionals alike.
   Love
   This book is as much a love story of two people committed to each other in ways only a few lucky people will ever experience. It emphatically says, "Take heart, caregivers," when Dick tells caregivers, "You are important," and you feel it when he says throughout the book, "Ain't love grand?" You will find this book is full of heart, love, compassion, humor and common sense that prove that to overcome a handicap, the wisdom of the heart trumps intelligence. Every time. The two pages discussing Grief is worth the price of the book alone. Its lesson is the power of compassion, love and illuminates the author's humanity, or, as his wife says, "ECCE HOMO," which translates as "Behold, A Man."
   Dick's rehabilitation journey is not complete, nor will it ever be. After a year of rehab work he has found, however, the best path for himself. He's currently busy on many writing projects. We wish him God-speed and Dragon's Luck.

1 comments about Seasons of Grief and Grace: A Sister's Story of AIDS.

1. I live in Lubbock, Texas, where much of this story takes place, and I happen to know some of the people Dr. Ford mentions. But that was hardly the only reason I wanted to read this compassionate biography. Dr. Ford shows how her brother bravely faced AIDS and the bigotry related to it.

   Despite its subject matter, this book is never depressing. Instead, Dr. Ford captures the inspirational aspects of her brother's life and how it touched the lives of people around him. I found her poems about his struggle especially touching and hope she'll share more of those in another book.

   Duane Simolke .....

No comments about Prohibition of Excellence.

3 comments about A Marriage Sabbatical.

1. This is a book I read a few years ago and have shared it with many of my friends, men and women alike. Without exception, all reviews are 5 stars and more. This vignette of an adventuresome, middle age woman brings surprises at every turn. Describing her trip around the world with nothing more than a backpack and a few hundred dollars, her writing style is exceptional and colorfully descriptive. A must read!



2. There are not enough words to express how much I enjoyed this book. The author was writing from her heart. I truly felt that I was having the experiences and was on the journey with her. She brings you into her book. Cheryl Jarvis' book, The Marriage Sabbatical, does not compare to the wonderful book by Sabina Shalom. I noticed and I think it is unfair that Ms. Jarvis' book gets listed before Ms. Shalom's book especially since Ms. Shalom's book was written prior to Ms. Jarvis.
   
   I wish everyone would buy and have the experience and the joy of reading "A Marriage Sabbatical" by SABINA SHALOM.



3. This was one of the best books I have read in a long time! Ms. Shalom's book reads like a piece of fast-paced fiction; however, it tells the true story of a middle-aged woman really looking to find herself and rekindle the spark of a long, staid marriage, and she is completely rewarded in the end. I loved hearing about all her travel adventures and wish that I could tag along with her on a trip sometime! One of the amazing things about this memoir is to read how she sets her mind to doing something and then to read about the daring, sometimes scary, sometimes hilarious ways she ends up accomplishing this goal! She does not take "no" for an answer! I truly admire Ms. Shalom; what a feisty, spunky woman - a real dynamo! Her story is simply remarkable, and she delivers it in a totally readable, uplifting and enjoyable way.

3 comments about Mike's World: A Life Journey.

1. "Mike's World" is a genuine tribute to the journey of being a human being. A truly inspirational, witty, uplifting and downright spiritual work, I've read it more than once and found something a little miraculous for me in each reading. For anyone with a heart, this book is well worth owning. If "Diary for Nicholas" touched your soul, "Mike's World" will take you places only a powerfully written non-fiction book can.

   This is clearly NOT a book about a challenged child, but a book that will make you see everyone around you differently. The most powerful 148 pages I've read in many, many years!




2. Patricia Leary's son Mike is brain damaged, but neither she nor Mike have let his handicap deter them from making their lives together as mother and son full of joy, love, and humor. While the author relates stories of her little boy's growing up challenged by limited motor skills and sight, achievement and success and the indomitable spirits of the duo are the focus of each chapter. Their inspiring story will have meaning not only for parents of handicapped children, but for all parents because the task of raising any child is filled with questions, worries, joy, success, and pride. All parents and children are the same, and Patricia Leary's portrait of Mike will inspire every reader.



3. Mike's World is a celebration of the life of Mike Stiedler told through the eyes of his loving, tenacious mother. Seriously brain damanged since four days old, Mike has grown into adulthood learning the secrets of the human spirit, the joys of hard-fought accomplishments and the bonds of friendship that unite us all. Patricia Leary delivers on her promise of showing the reader how Michael has spun gold from straw. How else to explain the poignant poetry of someone supposedly void of language skills or the dedication of daily, three- mile runs by someone so limited in vision and balance? Once you enter Mike's World, I guarantee that you too will believe in the triumph of the human spirit.

No comments about Journey to Motherhood: One Woman's Story of Triumph over Miscarriage.