Disability-and-Health Books

Caring for an Alzheimer's caregiver carries with it a plentitude of difficulties, particularly if the caregiver is a spouse. As the nation witnessed with the Reagan's, one of the most tragic consequences was that of a couple with a rich past, but the inability to share those precious memories into old age. And, too often, the caregiver is forgotten as the spotlight is turned on the person with Alzheimer's. This book puts a human face on those caregivers.

The authors capture stories of actual caregivers as they face each successive stage of the illness. In addition, the book is filled with coping strategies for those caregivers. If you know an Alzheimer's caregiver (or any caregiver), buy them a copy of this book - - not only will it be helpful, it will touch them deeply as they realize the conflicting emotions they're experiencing are shared by many.

Two thumbs up, five stars.

As a long time caregiver, I wanted to thank you so much for the gift of your wonderful book. It's a continuous support group for Alzheimer's caregivers. There were so many stories and situations I related to, since I experienced some of the same events over time. Having participated in a support group for caregivers for 15 years, I found the book to show great understanding and empathy of caregivers, and to be a real acknowledgement of all the caregivers I have known and learned with over the past 15 years. It's a great resource and will be a wonderful help to all who read it!!

Yvonne - a caregiver for 15 years.

In the family crisis of Alzheimer's, often it is the caregiver who is forgotten. This sensitively-written and compassionate book helps those in this situation cope with things - from the micro to the macro. I highly recommend it, for professionals who are helping the patients and their families, and for the families themselves. Two thumbs up to the authors for a fine piece of work.

The collaboration of licensed therapist and Alzheimer caregiving expert Sandy Braff and Mary Rose Olenik (Staff Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry, University of California - San Diego and a participant in an N.I.H. grant studying the effects of stress on the immune system of Alzheimer's caregivers), Staying Connected While Letting Go: The Paradox Of Alzheimer's Caregiving is a "reader friendly" guide to Alzheimer's debilitating effects on the mind, the stress of handling both the physical demands and the emotional turmoil of caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. Providing expert advice for avoiding the trap of neglecting one's own health; counsel for dealing with sensitive issues such as inappropriate public behavior in one's patient; and much, much more fill the pages of this very highly recommended guide for all Alzheimer's caregivers. If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's, then give a careful reading to Staying Connected While Letting Go.

Over the four years during which my brother and sister and I arranged for, and provided, care for our mother, I experienced the soul numbing range of horrors that Alzheimer's disease visits on both its victims and their caregivers.

* The disbelief that my mother could possibly forget that she had asked me the same question three times in 10 minutes, followed by the self-hatred at my anger and lack of understanding.
* The feelings of helplessness and confusion that accompanied our struggles to figure out what would be best for her, and the absence of definitive answers from the medical community.
* The deluded belief at each particular phase of her illness that things couldn't possibly get any worse, only to watch the next descent destroy more of who she was.
* The heartbreaking relief when she smiled at me in recognition when I arrived to visit.
* The innumerable times that I had to pull my car to the curb as I returned home because I was sobbing so deeply that I could no longer see the road.
* And, most of all, the overwhelmingly empty feeling of isolation and solitude.

Now, I watch from a distance as my cousins endure the same horrors in caring for my mother's brother. But they have a reaffirming guide that was unavailable to us. I sent them a copy of Staying Connected While Letting Go.

In our high tech world, we often forget the importance of the individual human story in passing along culture, history, knowledge, and simple wisdom. But to me, the highest value of the human story is to trigger in the listener, or reader, a sense of shared humanity. Recognizing one's own experiences in the story of another person shatters one's sense of isolation. This is the genius of Staying Connected While Letting Go.

Ms. Olenik and Ms. Braff have structured their book around the stories of caregivers, who describe their experiences with their loved ones at successive phases of the illness. Neither the caregivers nor the authors try to sanitize what is frequently the unpleasant reality of facing and reacting to the confusing and disturbing behaviors that can accompany Alzheimer's. As a result, the book has a credibility that will strengthen its appeal to caregivers, while sharing the coping mechanisms of the caregiving community to which they belong.

It's extraordinarily rare to find a book that has such enormous potential to help people who desperately need a sense of community. The authors deserve our thanks!

I think this is an excellent book. It gives alot of good ideas on how to take daily or special events to let your child transition better and communicate about these events. It is for high functioning kids which the book does state, but I found myself trying to make the schedules or the trip to the store more my own so I think lower functioning kids could benefit. The reason why I gave it 4 stars is that the pictures are not colored and the mini idea schedules: going to the store and getting ready for bed will not be necessarily the same order you have your kids do it, so you will have to change it anyway. It did give me a good start on some things to help with communication. It's an easy read!

I bought this book before my son was diagnosed. We thought that perhaps he was on the Autism Spectrum. It was such a blessing to find practical, easy to use ideas. He was only 2 1/2 at the time, but there was plenty for me to use. Soon after my son was diagnosed as having Sensory Integration Dysfunction. I still love the book and use many of the ideas to break into his world. It gives hope and encouragement to find the little things that help my son break out of his world and into ours. I have never handed out my modified version of the "Don't Look At Me That Way" cards, but I feel empowered just carrying them around. I am grateful for all of the strategies and games and encouragement this book offers.

We were fortunate to get to know Phil Abrams personally. He provided therapy for our daughter (and lots of laughs for us). Phil's insight and use of humor helped our child join our world, as well as to help us see that all is not so bad. I'm happy to know that he is sharing his abilities and insights with every parent who wants them. They were a great blessing to us.

The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper is a pracitical, wonderful, and loving guide and workbook for parents guiding their children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder through daily tasks and enriched and empowered lives.

This workbook is simple, attractive, and engaging. It is full of love and good humor - The writers reach out to parents facing the, at times, daunting task of helping their children learn the necessary skills, like getting dressed, telling time, and navigating daily schedules, that will help lead them to independent lives and communicative relationships within the range of their own abilities.

There are loads of strategies, games, and visual aids in this workbook. Many of the sheets are designed to be torn out or cut up so you can adapt them to your own or your child's specific needs. There are plenty of games and fun ways to attack simple tasks.

What struck me most of all was the palpable sense of love and fun that permeated this workbook. It is a rare and fine example of how simple and good it is to reach out to those you love and how powerful it is when you empower your children to order their own reality.

WOW..... how many self help books can you relate to ,and implement from the first page to the last? This was absolutly the case with The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper.
As a parent of an autistic child, not only did I think the ideas in the book were suberb, but it gave me comfort in realizing that I am not alone.
This book gives parents great ideas and help in making everyday tasks that can be so challenging for parents and kids easier. I especially like the cards that you hand out to people who may be looking at you or your child in a funny way.
I highly recommend this book to parents who are just starting out on this journey, or have been involved for a while. You will all walk away with some great practical information.

"Rowe provides a rich picture not only of a particular group of homeless people, but also of the complicated interactions between the marginalized and those who try to help them." -MDSQ Book News

The preceding reviews and comments were presented to the author with permission from: 1. Deirdre Oakley, Psychiatric Services and 2. Cynthia Karlton, Journal of Addiction and Mental Health.

Crossing the Border makes a noteworthy contribution to the field [of qualitative studies of outreach work.] It should be considered an essential read for everyone- from administrators to those on the front line- working with the most marginalized among the homeless.

"Rowe provides a rich picture not only of a particular group of homeless people, but also of the complicated interactions between the marginalized and those who try to help them." -MDSQ Book News

Having been an outreach worker for roughly six years, I found this book to be surprisingly well written. Too often, books tackling this subject present mere caracatures of the people it talks about, vieweing the subjects more as data or political process than real human beings.

This book presents many different points of views and differing types of outreach workers and the people they seek to help. The homeless are not condescended to nor are the outreach workers glamorized. It is quite factual and quite objective.

I saw myself in some of the types and picked up excellent little reminders about the whole homeless issue and those whose lives it affects. If you are looking for a bit more of the 'human' connection of those who are on the front lines (as opposed to the theorists, the politicians, the directors and others removed from the field), this is a great book toward that end.

Bill Stillman writes with exquisite sensitivity and calls the reader to share that respectful approach. This helps the reader learn how to support the person(s) whom they love who happen to have autistic experiences. Further, this approach leads readers to examine their interactions with all other people.

Bill writes about his own experiences as well as the lives of others. These vignettes were wonderful illustrations of how those with autistic experiences live. One of the greatest gifts of this book, however, is its tacit invitation to all readers to examine our own lives. This is especially poignant for those who are "typical."

I found myself asking if we wouldn't all be better off by recognizing and embracing the autistic features that lay dormant in each one of us. Being sensitive, saying what we mean (and meaning what we say), and recognizing our own difficulties in communication (especially when frustrated) could make life more pleasant for everyone.

Those with an autistic experience have much to teach; we all have a responsibility to learn.

This is, overall, a great book on autism. It presents autism in a positive light, and describes why we do things instead of dismissing us as uniformly defective and inappropriate. I don't have my copy at the moment -- because I've loaned it out to a support worker, along with a few other books, in order to teach her more about the way I work.

Many books by autistic people are dry and difficult for me to read. This book is easier to read, and uses clear language. Unlike _Autism - An Inside-Out Approach_ by Donna Williams, this book does not make it sound as if those of us who are happy with ourselves either lack insight or aren't autistic enough to appreciate how disabled we are. This book does not overgeneralize from one person's experience as much as _Through the Eyes of Aliens_ by Jasmine Lee O'Neill (which I would recommend highly despite this fault). Unlike _Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism: An Insider's View_ by Wendy Lawson (which may be a good book, but it's so hard to read that I'm having trouble finishing it), it doesn't read as a dry and slightly modified version of what non-autistic theorists are saying.

To my knowledge, these are the four main manuals about autism for non-autistic adults, published by autistic people. I think it would be interesting and informative to read all of them together, and that the strengths of each would balance out the weak points of the others. However, if I had to choose one out of this four, I would choose this one without thinking twice. It requires less explanation of my own when I hand it to someone to explain myself to them.

The section on augmentative communication is particularly good. I use augmentative communication, and was thankful to see a section that went beyond facilitated communication. Most books describe facilitated communication, or they describe PECS, and they kind of leave it at that, but this one covered all sorts of things. I may have had a few quibbles with a few little parts, but that's it.

There are only a few problems I have with the book:

One, the author makes it sound like autistic people are incapable of malice. While we are often accused of malice when none is there, it would carry things too far to imply that we are incapable of it. We are just as capable of it as any other group of people.

Two, the author insists that "autistic person" and "stimming" are disrespectful terms, and that "person with autism" must be used. Like nearly all the autistic people I know, I deliberately and with forethought call myself an autistic person, and like some of the autistic people I know, I use the word stimming to refer to autistic mannerisms. It would be a better idea to ask first -- lots of people like "autistic person", some like "person with autism", some use "stimming" and some don't. I think it is more respectful to call people what they want to be called than to force "person with autism" on us as the only respectful choice.

Three, there's a section in which the author appears to claim that certain kinds of autistic behavior reinforce stereotypes and should be avoided. However, it's unclear whether he actually claims this, or if he's simply describing a dynamic between autistic people and non-autistic people. If he does truly mean this, then I would have to disagree with him -- certain kinds of behavior are things anyone should avoid, but looking stereotypical is something we sometimes can't help. :-) We shouldn't be penalized for other people's myths about us.

These and a few other things aside, this is an excellent book. Don't be fooled by the length of my descriptions of the problems with the book -- it is often easier to describe in detail something I disagree with rather than something I agree with, the same way having a bad day often makes a longer story than having a good day. I like most of this book. I would recommend it (as an autistic person) for people wanting to find out more about autism.

As a parent of a twelve year old child with autism, I have read just about everything out there to help me make sense of this often complicated and confusing disorder. Much of the books I have read were redundant in their information and many just didn't apply to my child or our situation. I found myself able to relate possibly to a chapter or two at the most, before I would get discouraged and begin to look for another answer. This is not the case with this book. Bill Stillman is a gifted writer. His intention is to teach those who love someone with autism, how to accept, understand and embrace these precious children. His affection toward children on the spectrum is so evident. His information and explanations are refreshing. Bill has put together a book that is a MAJOR piece of the autism puzzle. His insights and intuitions, as well as his personal experiences and the loving and candid way he shares them are priceless. I am happy to have him on "our" side. If I could keep only one book about autism as a reference manual, it would be this one.

Dymystifing the Autistic Experience is one of those 'must reads' in autism. It is one of the rare books that offers a true look into autism. Bill grew up before Autism was diagnosable and like Temple Grandin and others hidden in the spectrum his story is one that explains an autism were one struggled quietly and alone to make sense of the world. Our Lives were strange and different but yet we came out well.

His event per event account of his autisitc life is true science and a lot of luck in action. His old time account of autism before it was a well 'known' condition is like a fine wine, getting better with time. He proves autism is not this wild unmanagle condition that requires massve intervention. His book is also another (unknowingly) report on Splinter Skills and Obessions and how well they serve the autisic person. They are our Learning Hallway and link to the world. Autisitc obessions have given the world the computer, (Alan Turing 1912-1954) and even Bill's own Wizzard of OZ obession has given the world a perfect Oz experience, in another book he co authored.

Bills' inside information and common sense experience from working in the field are 'just what the doctor ordered' and better yet is is based in reality and struggle of an era gone by. Concerned caring folks in the spectrum appreciate books like this.

This is a must-read. Highly recommended. I am a parent of young child who has high-functioning autism, and I have gained some very good insights from Mr Stillman's writings. He also helps us see ourselves through the eyes of those we think of as 'different' -- not always a pretty sight!

Most childhood development books, while informative, tend to be as compelling as an encyclopedia. Not A Kid Just Like Me. Bruce Roseman's first person account of teaching his learning disabled, ADD son to read is inspiring and enjoyable reading. I think all parents can learn from Dr. Roseman's story. Dr. Roseman has been blessed with a wonderful son, Joshua, whom he loves dearly. Throughout the entire ordeal recounted in the book of dealing with educators, administrators, etc., Dr. Roseman never, ever forgot the love for his child, he never gave up, he always was his child's strongest advocate. While people were telling him and his wife that Joshua would never learn to read, he took control of the situation and taught his son to read. Dr. Roseman is also honest about himself in this book--he admits many time that he was a bit of a pill to those he encountered--again, though, all for his son. Dr. Roseman sent me this book, and asked me to review it. I am so thankful he did. It is a wonderful work that I recommend all parents read. It contains a compelling, heartwarming (although also sometimes heartbreaking) story that will inspire all parents.

I suspected I had ADD for sometime, but never allowed the suspicion to become concrete in my mind. Then I found 'A Kid Just Like Me'. I could not put the book down and finished it less than 24 hours after buying it. I realized that I had read - or sometimes attempted to read - too many books dealing with ADD in abstract terms; I could not recognize myself in those pages. With Dr. Roseman's book the situation was different: His honest, accurate and detailed description of ADD and learning disabilities opened my eyes to my condition. I consider myself lucky to have found this book and wholeheartly recomend it to those who suffer from ADD, kids and adults, and those who love and want to help them.

Dr. Roseman has earned his stripes in parenthood and medicine. This book is inspiring and helpful. He and his son are courageous and capable people. Everyone can learn from this book. It is also well written and lively. I hope learning specialists and teachers at a variety of schools read this book and learn from it. They should really try to understand how parents feel about their children and how they hope for their children, and thus, how dedication and faith can win in the long run.

When I began to read this book, I thought it would be very technical. However, I found it to be a book that I couldn't put down. It is a wonderful story about a father and son and their journey through heartache, love and striving to live in a normal world. I highly recommend this book.

The author writes with a vivid readable style. He takes us along with him on his quest to help his son learn. Along the way, we meet a variety of clinicians, educators and other experts. Professionals might do well to read these sections to help them understand how strongly their words and actions may affect a distressed parent.

Dr. Roseman had decades of experience compensating for his own AD/HD and learning disabilities. When he discovered that his oldest son had similar difficulties, he determined that his son would have a different experience from his own. Watching his son's struggles and triumphs was an intense experience, unearthing many varied emotional reactions. Dr. Roseman recounts his own memories of the pain and humiliation he experienced as a child when his school and his parents expressed frustration. At the same time, Dr. Roseman remembers how he had been able to use his energy and creativity to find unique ways around his disabilities.

This book emphasizes the need for individualized approaches for AD/HD and learning disabled children. To Dr. Roseman's credit he does not give blanket dismissals to legitimate treatments that did not work well for his particular child.

Not every parent can or should do what this parent did. Many readers will not have the energy, the time or the financial resources to teach their own child. This intense identification between parent and child can be a powerful positive force so long as the parent is able to allow space for other family members and friends.

When Dr. Roseman talks about his long intense periods with minimal sleep, I could understand the rationale of the psychiatrist who wrote a prescription for Lithium. On the other hand, I think of the intense bond between Helen Keller and her teacher. Often intense, passionate involvement enriches our world.

As an occupational therapist working in the school system, and currently providing assistive technology evaluation, education, and training, I found Living in a State of Stuck to be one of the most influential works I have read in a good number of years. We all have stories, and the individuals that Dr. Scherer has listened to and followed in her book have voices that resonate. I have practiced for nearly 30 years, and her approach feels like coming home to the core principles of the profession I have love. Thank you, Dr. Scherer, and please keep writing.

In working with people with disabilities I found Scherer's book gave a different slant on their issues and the use of technology. It was easy reading and informative. The case studies gave examples of the various needs, likes and dislikes and preferences of people with disabilites and their uses of assistive technology. Probably the most important emphasis of Scherer's book is know your consumer and listen. There is no universal recommendation for assistive tech for our consumers.

This book was very insightful and well researched. It includes numerous individuals with disabilities and describes using Assistive Technology in real life situations. It highlights that all persons with the same disability do not use the same Assistive Technology and that above all else, the individual's needs, desires and goals should be considered before the purchase of Assistive Technology. In addition, it also points out that people with an acquired disability may feel differently about Assistive Technology than a person born with a disability. Overall, an excellent read!

Living in the State of Stuck teaches us how to look at assistive technology in a "big picture" perspective. The book discusses tailoring adaptations to particular needs, and how to practically apply adaptations to every day lives. Many people are afraid to use assistive technologies themselves, but expect people with disabilities to embrace adaptations. Scherer talks about matching people with technologies, not because they are a quick fix, and easily accessible, but because that person is genuinely interested in attaining and using the device which THEY have informatively chosen. Scherer uses practical information are stories about people of all ages and disabilities successfully using the latest technologies. She provides online resources, organizations, vendors and a worksheet to assist with matching persons with technologies.

As a rehabilitation professional and an individual with a severe mobility impairment, I found Dr. Scherer's book to be most enlightening. To tell you the truth, I was expecting another dry textbook bogged down with a lot of technical terms and professional jargon. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to read interesting stories about flesh and blood individuals, and the impact their disabilities and the use of assistive technology have had on their lives. It's one thing to read about all the wonderful things assistive technology can provide - it's quite another to read real life examples of its implementation.

I can relate to the author's belief that the technology is only as good as it is perceived to be by the individual that is using the technology, and that a holistic approach to matching the appropriate technology is essential. As Dr. Scherer points out, it doesn't matter how marvelous we as professionals' think the technology is. If it doesn't meet the need of the individual, it is virtually useless. To illustrate the author's point, I can't count the number of times a rehab professional has told me I should do this, or I should use that, or I should do it this way or that way, etc., without ever bothering to ask for my opinion or ideas. However, I have recently had my bilateral long leg braces refurbished, and (per Dr. Scherer's model), I essentially told the orthotist how I wanted it done. The end result - the braces are much more comfortable to wear and skin breakdown at the various pressure points has decreased dramatically!

Anyone with hearing loss will identify with the content of David Myer's book. Very inspirational!

This book is very nice and a valuable source. However, there are some things you ought to know before buying it.

The book is very subjective in the sense that it is written in diary form. The author basically tells you about his experiences with hearing loss. Fortunately, he does have insightful comments with regard to hearing loss.

This book both made me sad and happy at the same time.

The account of this guy made me very happy that there are others out there who do understand what I'm going through, like I'm not alone or just antisocial. Deaf IS an important issue when communicating and relating to others.

Sad because for the first time I fully realized how real this is for me. I just can't keep ignoring it. I need to understand that there are things I must do to become more functional out there as a hard of hearing person.

Why 4 stars?

Well, the book isn't exactally written by a professional advisor on hearing issues. He is a psychologist who happened to be hard of hearing. And as far as I know he does not have a speciallity in hearing therapy or such. What I'm saying is that you should read the book as a valuable testimony from someone's experience, not as a professional help source.

It is important to have this kind of book, because there are people who need to know there are others going through similar experiences. Yet, it is very important you understand this is still a very subjective book.

He also mentions that he is a teacher and all the big time problems he has in his class and conferences. It sure most be hell for him, still what about people who hadn't even had an education to teach and who need to work in even way more demanding (for the hearing impaired) workplaces because they had not had other choices.

Again, the book is good, but keep in mind it is just the very personal account and not a professional source to help you overcome deaf or hard of hearing problems.

This book is wonderful and useful in a variety of ways. It deserves all of the praise it has earned. The chapter "Aids and Advice" contains a helpful subsection, "Advice for Friends and Family Members" that is invaluable. Tips such as "invite us to a quiet place," "get our attention," "face the light and face us," "rephrase," "create a context," and "speak slowly" are essential for successful communication with people with hearing loss since, for many people with hearing loss, lip-reading is necessary or at least desirable.

Wearers of hearing aids become particularly vexed by, for example, noisy restuarants. This is because most hearing aids still amplify all sounds without prejudice - the words you want to hear (the signal) along with the crash of dishes three tables away (the noise). Add curtainless windows, uncarpeted floors, background music, and ever-increasing decibel level of voices competing to be heard, and you get a very noisy place. Myers explains this in good detail. He then shares his wonderful fantasy : respite from the "noisy world" of most restaurants and coffee shops via a chain of acoustically thought-out tea rooms and coffeehouses named "A Quiet Place." He quotes various studies and surveys that have shown that a great many restaurant patrons object to excessive noise.

Myers offers some great trivia, such as the fact that umpires' hand signals were invented in 1892 by William Hoy, the major leagues' first deaf player. In addition, Myers cites the works and writings of others (whom he names) - Oliver Sacks, linguist William Stokoe, Alexander Graham Bell, for example - leading his reader further into this interesting field, should one wish to read on. He also mentions, though not in much detail, some current research and developments, using lay person's terms. There is an appendix of resources for the hard of hearing, and an index. No bibliography, unfortunately.

A great book and thoroughly worthwhile.

This book has so much to offer for the hearing-impaired and their families. I almost skipped over it because it is the author's story of losing his hearing as an adult. My son was diagnosed at age 4 1/2. I am so glad that I decided to read it! Myers offers a wealth of technical information along with an impressive list of internet resources. Perhaps the most important aspect of the book is the emotional insight in dealing with hearing loss. I definitely learned to be more patient with my son after reading this book. I visited the author's website and emailed him about his helpful book. He even emailed back with more suggestions for my son!

If you have loss of hearing, the prose and memoirs by Dr. Myers will be profoundly familiar. You will find yourself sitting and listening to this friend as he shares secrets you seldom discuss with anyone. The author offers rich experiences in roller coaster rides of emotion. He is insightful, humorous, sensitive, revealing, encouraging--and often painfully honest. You feel his torment and elation, and through it, not only come to know the author, but clearly more about living with hearing loss.

An excellent recommendation for those with hearing loss, and professionals who desire to learn more about the experience.

Dr. Myers leaves you anxiously waiting for his next book. . .

Richard Carmen, Au.D. Clinical Audiologist, Sedona AZ rcarmen27@yahoo.com [and Editor/Author, "The Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids: A Bridge to Healing," Auricle Ink Publishers, 1998]

The book was easy to read, understand, and apply. The author gives very practical and extremely useful information for stroke survivors. He understands the issues because he himself is a survivor. The stories in the book were motivating and encouraging.

While Dr Guns has written an extremely motivational book for the stroke survivor (and caregiver), the absolutely best thing about this book is that it provides a road map to success: actual, practical steps to follow that will make a difference. It is not a feel good book, some of it is hard, and forces one to face reality- but that is the first step to progress. I believe that this book would be useful to a larger portion of the population than just the stoke survivor community. Many people with some form of physical disability or limitation can use some of the steps to make real improvements in their everyday abilities. Even more important than physical improvement is the chance to sharpen and focus one's view of one's situation, even if the final determination is that improvements are not physically possible.

A powerful book for stroke survivors written by "one who has been there", a fellow stroke survivor. This book offers help and hope in an easy to read and understand format.

Dr. Guns has an excellent view of how to approach a new idea to the stroke survivor and empathy for the caregiver, as he is a survivor himself.

He and his program RAISE the hopes and help to revitalize the survivor's outlook on life.
Using basic concepts of Reflect, Analyze, Identify, Start, and Evaluate (RAISE) emphasizes thinking and preparation for obtaining a goal or goals for the stroke survivor, giving both the survivor and the caregiver the written tools, which they themselves create, to follow and remember/review. The key in the program success is for the survivor and the caregiver to create their own plan, not have it pushed at them by someone else.

This program can be used by anyone struggling to set goals along the way to overcoming a challenge.

Having used and continue to use/update the program and my goals as a survivor, it still continues to amaze me at how much these simple steps have improved my life.

The book is awesome.
I seriously believe that you have a winner here. The book provides true motivating stories of fellow survivors who have beaten the odds.
Dr. Bob provides a practical "How to" that will enable you to improve if you do the work.

It is much more than a handbook.

It is way more than what I was expecting. It is much read for stroke survivors and caregivers alike.

Bob Miller http://StrokesSuck.com

As a Catholic educator I have read and used many books on the saints, but this book was unlike any I have ever read. Its spiritual dimension is hard to articulate, but you know you have read a holy book when you are finished.

This is an outstanding book. It should be required reading for all Catholics. Who knew we don't pray TO the Saint but rather we ask them to pray WITH us? I do not have a disability but I loved the historical information the author provided about the life and times of the saints.
Well done..way to go.

Karyn Grace

I bought this book even though I do not have a disability. I was drawn to it because I look to the saints for examples and advice. I try to "prepare myself" for any struggles that may come my way. I am already familiar with many of the saints, but this book includes many saintly and blessed people I had not heard of--so I learned something new. I recently met the author (Janice McGrane). She is a wonderful storyteller and a very humble and kind individual. She knows from first-hand experience that disabilities can bring us closer to God if we allow ourselves to place "radical trust" in Him. The saints are our friends who who are eager to help us and comfort us if we just reach out to them.

Saints to Lean On by Janice McGrane, S.S.J. provides a compelling look at eleven different "spiritual companions". Each biographical vignette looks at a member of the "communion of saints" who have gone before us on their own paths, which included pain and suffering. In her introductory comments, McGrane rightly discusses the line between praying "to" saints and praying "with" them. Not all of the eleven have been formally canonized, but each provides a role model of strength and courage in facing adversity. While the book is addressed towards those suffering illness and disability, I found it an uplifting resource for taking on any adversity in life. I was particularly moved by the chapters on St. Therese of Lisieux and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

Author Janice McGrane, who has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis since she was 25, was prompted by her own experience to write about 11 Christian saints and mystics who offer us inspiration and spiritual companionship in times of disability and illness. In the introduction, McGrane clarifies the Catholic position on praying "to" saints. What we really mean, she notes, is asking the saints to pray "with us" to God. She adds an explanation of the Catholic belief in "the communion of saints," the relationship between the living and the deceased whose prayers, stories, and companionship are available to us. She also addresses the old practice of "offering it up," stressing the importance of acknowledging the pain of life and "consciously and continually" giving it over to God in whatever way seems best.

At the heart of this book are men and women from different times and places who experienced different physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. One, Catherine of Genoa, is presented as a model for caregivers. What all of the subjects have in common, McGrane explains, is that "their writings and their powerful witness to others demonstrated great spiritual lessons on how to live with a debilitating illness or disability."

In each chapter the author provides biographical information, particularly the individual's spiritual journey, and effect on others during life and after death. Most chapters also include information on the cultural and medical responses to the disability or illness at the time the subject lived and today. McGrane wraps up the stories with ways we might enter into spiritual companionship with the individual.

Facing chronic disease myself, I've turned to books like this for information, comfort, challenge and ideas. Nancy Mairs is the best I've found for writing honestly about what it means for people (women in particular) to face chronic, degenerative illness. She writes from her personal experience, but I see myself in her struggles. A book to read and re-read.

Nancy Mairs writes about the human condition with humor, compassion, and ruthless honesty. This is a book of personal reflections about disability, embodiment, marriage, religion, and lots of other things, but fundamentally about the possibility of honestly acknowledging all the pain and confusion in our lives and at the same time--within that pain and confusion--living fully, gratefully, joyously.

Wow. What a gift. Thank you, Nancy Mairs.

This book and "Ordinary Time" are my favorites by Mairs.

I had to read this book for one of my women's study's classes nearly 7 years ago. It has been too long to remember much of the detail but what I do remember is the depth of the impression that was left upon me. It is a very difficult task to look at someone's life, through their eyes, and experience their total destruction of being...slow....poignant...and startlingly real.

As we discussed this book in class, one of the girls ran out in tears, later coming back and disclosing that she, too, suffered from MS, making the book that much real and impressionable for me.

Reviewer: robert dorroh from Sonora, CA United States Nancy Mairs, with devastating honesty, chronicles life as a cripple (her choice of word) in poignant essays in "Waist High in the World."

Beset with multiple sclerosis and bouts with clinical and situational depression, she offsets these stumbling blocks with joy, candor, eloquence, and cultural and political insights. It is a book for everybody, not just the disabled, for it challenges our fears, cultural hangups and citizenship: "The more perspectives that can be brought to bear on human experience, even from the slant of a wheelchair or a hospital bed, or through the ears of a blind person or the fingers of someone who is deaf, the richer that experience becomes." She attacks the stereotype that cripples must be passive and unfailingly polite in a culture that doesn't want to deal with them: "Beyond cheerfulness and patience, people don't expect much of a cripple's character."

Pondering her husband and caretaker George's battle with cancer, she offers a balanced look at suicide in the face of his death. Though she has attempted suicide "more than once," she questions the right-to-die movement, which extolls "rational" suicide: "Since hopelessness is a distinctive symptom of depression, which is an emotional disorder, actions carried out in a despairing state seem to me intrinsically irrational. This last time I clung to shreds of reason, which saved me." Still, she sees suicide as a possibility: "I want to be the one in charge of my life, including its end."

Why should society pay for the misfortunes of others? people ask. Because it's what human beings do: take care of one another, Mairs says, adding that it's the government's role to ensure that its citizens are entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Mairs notes that the abled-bodied should aim to preserve the dignity of the disabled. This takes in seeing them as sexual beings: ... "The general assumption, even among those who might be expected to know better, is that people with disabilities are out of the sexual running."

As a paraplegic, I admire her advocacy on my behalf. I admire her more, however, for her willingness to work toward the betterment of our society through a rare and gifted intelligence.

Nancy Mairs is painfully, startlingly brave. Her book is something I recommend, not just for people with MS but people, period. She reminds me of just how powerful telling the truth can really be. We all need this book!