The Invading Body: Reading Illness Autobiographies Book

The author, an accomplished neuroanatomist, suffers a massive CVA at the age of 37. She takes the reader through the events of her stroke and the recovery. (8 long years of recovery!) She gives basic brain science for understanding, and speaks from the heart.

The grouch in me wanted to poo-poo the whole book when she started in with how she uses "angel cards" to start her day. I ignored the alarm in my head, screaming, "New age kook! Abort! Abort!" But it was too late. I was suckered in. And really, if those cards help her start her day with a clear intention, and bring her comfort and peace, more power to her. Maybe more of us need to do that.

Or not.

Anyway, this book gets 5 stars alone for Appendix B in the back. The list of "forty things I needed the most" should be printed out and handed to family and friends of stroke/brain injury patients. Heck, maybe it should be mandatory reading material for all medical professionals as well. (you know, respect that the patient is wounded, not dumb. Don't treat them as if they are deaf unless they are. Protect them, but don't stand in the way of progress)

My favorite on the list is #23: Trust that my brain can always continue to learn.

Because they can.
And do.

Jill Bolte Taylor is living proof.








18 min. video of Jill speaking... Thanks, D2!