Book of A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey - Highly Recommended ***

"My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

ISBN 978-0-670-02074-4 52495

A brain scientist's personal journey

Excerpt: "I now existed in a world between worlds. I could no longer relate to people outside of me and yet my life had not been extinguished. I was not only an oddity to those around me, but on the inside, I was an oddity to myself."

In the book, Jill details what aspects of control that the left brain and the right brain have for a person. Jill also tells where she lived inside of herself while injured with this stroke, how it affected her in the many aspects of daily life. She gives hope that recovery is well possible and that one can resume a fulfilling life afterward.

Known as The Singing Scientist Jill works with NAMI; more information is found at her website: http://www.drjilltaylor.com/

This is a book I am about finished with. I thought this morning you might like to read it. Ms. Taylor, brain scientist with the highest credentials taught medical students, future doctors, all about brain anatomy, among her other endeavors.

Then one morning she has a stroke at the age of 37.

Its all about her experience and how with help she recovers to the point that she teaches again, carrying on with her life and interests. She gives the viewpoint from a stroke victim's perspective; giving good information for the caregiver.

At the end of the book are included two appendices:
Appendix A - Recommendations for Recovery, ten assessment questions;
Appendix B - Forty Things I Needed the Most. Invaluable!

All the while reading, I thought of an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Mac, who had a stroke when I was a teenager. She was very special and I loved her dearly, then of a sudden I could not communicate with her. She was very vocal with me, so she knew me, knew what she was trying to tell me; it was I who couldn't comprehend.

Also, my son-in-law's father suffered a stroke a few years ago. He was down here from Michigan, making a garden when I talked with him; he appeared in perfect health; that afternoon he drove back to Michigan with the intention of returning in a few days; he had a stroke a couple days later. Cared for in Michigan for a couple years, eventually brought back to Tennessee, he entered a nursing home but went downhill until he died in a few months. I do remember how he reacted with me when I was being patient with him - his eyes glowed. He so relaxed with hands-on care but unfortunately was near death at the time.

So as Ms. Taylor has impressed, patience is such an important virtue needed for success with a stroke victim and for that matter, anyone who is sick and suffering.

Jill's story from her viewpoint (as a brain specialist) could never have been written by anyone else.

This book with its information will be valuable one day should it ever be needed; I hope it never will be.

You can get it at your library probably or they can get it through the interlibrary loan system for you.

I had to take it in small doses what with technical terms for two chapters. But understanding them is not an issue in understanding the story; it is an extremely valuable writing.