Editorial Review

Within the 11 seconds that inspired this memoir, Travis Roy realized his dream, then smashed into his nightmare. On an October night in 1995, Roy, a talented young hockey player, skated onto the ice for his varsity debut with Boston University. Eleven fateful seconds later, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Aided by the sure touch of Read more

Reviews (38)

Eleven Seconds review
In Eleven Seconds, a story about a young man at the age of twenty-one living life and one event happens to change it all. Playing in his first collegiate game of hockey, Travis Roy crashed the corner after a dump in, tripped, fell, and broke his fourth vertebrae and becomes paralyzed from his neck down. This single event changes the way he and his family act towards each other. The story goes through his amazing recovery and the heart and determination he had. The author portrays Travis Roy as a hero to those that are in deep pain or trouble. He accomplishes this by showing the good and bad times in his recovery stages. After a few months at the hospital, Travis Roy wants to get back into the world and show that this freak accident will not keep him down. He returns to college and tries to become a normal student, but this is impossible because he has become a well-known person due to the accident. The grit and determination of Mr. Roy and his family members through the hard times to get to a level of peace and acceptance of what has happend is amazing. This story makes you, the reader, feel that you just need to make the best of the hand that is dealt and that if anything goes wrong you just have to deal with it and make the best of the situation. Eleven Seconds is a great book and should be read by all.

Reading this brought that night back
On Oct. 20, 1995, two of my friends and I gleefully took our seats in Walter Brown arena.We'd saved up the money to purchase season tickets (huge money for undergraduates), and couldn't wait to see the triple crown banner be raised.The beginning of the night was all of the heartpounding celebration it could be.
Worth More Than 11Sec.
If your looking for a book that lets you get into the world of college hockey this is it.Its a heart felt story of a kid who is a great hockey player and dreams of playing for the University of Boston.He does so and his dreams come true when he finally hits the ice.However he only sees 11 seconds of ice time.He checks a player in the boards and breaks his neck, his whole college career ends in just 11 sec of ice time.The rest of the story tells about his life after hockey as a former player now confined to a wheelchair.It goes into detail about how his family must change, his girlfriend must change and how he must change all due to an accident.The book is not only a good ready, but also an easy read.I found that is was hard to put this down even for a min.I have to admit as a I guy I try not to show emotion, but there are times while reading this book that I did get a tear or two in my eyes.The book makes you think and also you will come to love this kid when you are done reading.I know I have!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accident victims    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Hockey players    7. Ice Hockey    8. Roy, Travis    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Editorial Review

George McGovern, the 1972 Democratic nominee for President, offers a tragic family drama while confronting the choices of his own life in this story of a daughter's fatal fight with alcoholism. Told in direct prose, the tale is a harrowing one. Teresa Jane McGovern, the middle child of five, began drinking at age 13, was hospitalized for depression after her arrest for smoking pot at age 19, cleaned up for a while in her 30s, but then spiraled out of control until she froze to death in a parking lot after a drinking binge. Her father openly examines his role and the causes of his daughter's demise. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Terry's Purpose in Life-To Help Others Through Her Story
This story holds a grip on me that I can't get over. Maybe I am like George McGovern myself in that I too can't explain what causes a beloved child in the family to grow up and self destruct. This story haunts me in that I am watching my own daughter at the age of 43 create similar suffering for every member of her family and friends who love her. I relate so strongly to the McGovern family on every page of this book, even to our own happy 50th wedding anniversary last year, that it frightens me based on Terry's tragic outcome just a year after the McGovern's celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. At the same time, I am so grateful for McGovern's advice as to what he would have done differently, especially in the last several months of Terry's life. I just bought several books for family members, and one to donate to a Milwaukee area hospital Women's Pavillion library that has every subject covered but alcoholism! This book documents one of the most heart rending accounts of alcohol addiction that I could ever imagine. Your tears may stain these pages, but Terry is continuing to help others, like me as she did in life through the courages words of her father.

A Father's Tragedy
This book was an incredible read.I was riveted from page one. Terry McGovern's death was such a senseless one.It serves to remind me that not all alcoholic deaths are due to cirrhosis(sp?) Alcohol can claim lives in the strangest of ways.Terry McGovern stumbled out of a bar and fell into a bank of snow, freezing to death.I still am shaken up when I think of this.
A harrowing and heartrending tale of alcoholism.
Former South Dakota senator, and one time Presidential hopeful, George McGovern relates the sad story of his daughter Terry, who's alcoholism finally killed her when she passed out in a snowfilled alley outside of a bar one cold December night.With an objective honest and insight into both his daughter and the nature of addiction, McGovern tells how him middle daughter grew up and became mired in an inescapable quicksand of addiction.Having recently lost my wife to the ravages of this disease (ironically this book was one of hers and one she quite enjoyed reading) I can relate to McGovern's feelings of anger, frustration, and helpless regret over how the disease warped both his daughter's spirit and mind.This book is an essential for anyone who has ever had to battle, or has a loved who battles, this wretched, life eating disease.Highest recommendation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Stanley),    2. 1922-    3. 1949-1994    4. Alcoholics    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Family Relationships    8. Legislators    9. McGovern, George S    10. McGovern, Terry,    11. Self-Help    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    14. United States    15. McGovern, Terry    16. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Editorial Review

"Alan's brain got run over by a speedboat," Cathy Crimmins writes. "Thatlast sentence reads like a bad country-western song lyric, but it's true. It wasa silly, horrible, stupid accident." And so begins the harrowing tale of afamily vacation gone awry when a speedboat collides with her husband's smallcraft, changing their lives forever. Crimmins (Read more

Reviews (38)

I laughed, I cried, and then I recommended it to everyone.
My wonderful husband had a brain anuerysm in 1992. I recommend this book to anyone, even if they don't know a soul with a brain injury. It's tragic, it's hysterically funny, it's soooo very real. The best book out there, on what life is like, for a family member, after a brain injury.

harrowing and real
Having read several brain injury survivor memoirs, I was initially reluctant to read one written by a family member of a survivor - how could they possibly understand the experience? But Cathy Crimmins shows us 'the other side' - how the survivor can challenge everyone's tolerance with their suddenly bizarre, unsavoury, often hostile, and sadly unintended new behaviour and limitations. She doesn't sanitise the ordeal, but rather just tells it as she endured it. I'd love to read a companion book by her husband Alan (the brain injury survivor she writes about), for a look at how different the worlds of survivor and carer can be. And how about a sequel Cathy?

Someone understands!
I ordered this book as a last chance - I had previously ordered and tried to understand many books that were way too technical.My husband too suffers from tramatic brain injury - this is this first book that I could relate to and know that I am not the only one going through this.It was amazing to me as Cathy describes her husband awakening from a coma and the things he first said - it could have been the same dialogue from my husband.An easy enough read, I have ordered several more copies for friends and family.Thank you for writing such a worthwhile book!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Brain damage    6. Case studies    7. Forman, Alan    8. Health    9. Medical - General    10. Mental Health    11. Patients    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Personality change    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. United States    16. Biography: general    17. History of medicine    18. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Health   

Reviews (44)

When the going get's tough....
This is in my top three inspirational books.The real-life work ethic and example of Bill Porter (as told by his assistant Shelly Brady) is TRUE inspiration.The old saying "you can't keep a good man down" rings true here.I picked up this little book at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport a few years back when my flight was delayed. I read it in the terminal and finished it on the plane.THIS BOOK IS WORTH MORE THAN ALL OF THE STEPHEN COVEYS, DALE CARNEGIES and JOEL BARKERS combined (these guys wrote "Snake Oil for the Soul"). Should you need inspiration FIND IT HERE!Bill Porter is the real deal...not a thinker, but a doer.Thank you Shelley for sharing your and Bill's story.

A Few Things I Learned from Bill Porter Too...
A few things I learned from Bill Porter are the power of persistence and that there really are no obstacles. Actually, Porter seems to take persistence to the extreme, and as for obstacles, it is not that they do not exist, but that for Porter, they have never been allowed to become the reasons for his failure. In fact, he refuses to let his cerebral palsy define who he is. Rather he insists on being defined for what he has contributed - the service he has given to others through his career as a salesman.
Great person, flawed book
"Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter" is ideal for someone who has seen the TV movie "Door to Door" or is otherwise ALREADY familiar with, and inspired by, the story of Bill Porter.
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Subjects:  1. 1932-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Business    5. Cerebral palsy    6. Door-to-door selling    7. General    8. Health    9. Inspiration & Personal Growth    10. Patients    11. Personal Growth - General    12. Porter, Bill,    13. Self-Help    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. United States    16. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    17. Popular psychology    18. SELF-HELP / Motivational   

Reviews (201)

And who would want to read about the worst kind of sin?
I've always been fascinated with the intricacies of the human mind. After completing a book about a patient with schizophrenia, I picked up for a change this book about Disassociative Identity Disorder. I've to tell you, in sharp contrast to the effort it took me to comprehension the symptoms of schizophrenia, DID required challenging- no, scratch that- almost mind-bending attempt on my behalf to comprehend how the brain could invent such a mechanism to cope with abuse.
Non Co-Conscious View
I have heard many people bash this book, but as a multiple who is NOT co-conscious with many of her alters...I found it extremely helpful in establishing contact with them. Yes, it reads like a novel. He wasn't attemping to be a doctor and write it as a "how to" guide. It lets you into the feelings and the uncertainly. There is much speculation and doubt within the pages. I know how that feels.
Worst book ever read on Multiple Personality disorder
I'm not going to waste much time on this book review except to say that of all the books I've read on this disorder this one is the worst.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Mental Illness    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (12)

Monotonous and Overrated
I disagree with many of the reviews. I found the tone of the book to be somewhat self-pitying and monotonous. Strangely, the only review here I seem to agree with was written below by the wife of another quadiplegic.
Susan, keep up the good work please.
I am sorry it took me so long to discover this book. I have been a fan of Ms. Parker since I first began reading her columns in the SF Chronicle. This book is one of those you want to read slowly so that it lasts longer but find you can't put it down. Susan has a wonderful knack for untainted honesty as she reports on the universal joys and sorrows of human life. She guides the reader into her world without trying to assign blame or seek justification, a truly refreshing approach in this day and age. Can't wait for the sequel! -Cindy

Another Quad Wife Speaks
As the wife of a quadriplegic I was very interested to see what Susan Parker had to say about her life. The description of the devastation, hopelessness and helplessness women feel when they come into this situation was excellent. The potrayal of the feeling of being totally overwhelmed and burned out by the intensity of it all was very real to me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. California    6. Caregivers    7. Hager, Ralph    8. Health    9. Parker, Susan    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Quadriplegics    12. Reference    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (17)

Yet another "recovering alcoholic" disrespecting the program they supposedly hold dear...
This stuff makes me sick.Ms. Cheever is supposedly a recovering alcoholic, yet she chooses to deliberately ignore the parts of the program that are inconvenient to her career.
Reaction to the Deeply Dissappointed from an addict...
This story may have been inaccurate on certain details that mean very little when one is trying to find inspiration to help overcome addiction.When you are trying to figure out what is wrong with you and why you fell into this pattern of self abuse, names, dates, and the difference between methods and techniques mean very little.This story with it's flaws and inaccuracies still got my attention and gave me comfort.In fact if you think about it, there are many different versions of the Bible that only differ by one or two small details yet they all provide comfort to millions as this story provided to me and I'm sure many other addicts, the same way that Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob intented when they began.

An exploration into the root of all conflict, deeper than supposed
opposites such as sobriety/addiction, good/evil, etc.And what a deeply touching book Susan Cheever has written here, so loving and affectionate, so eloquent -- the very reasons to be suspect by our sober fellow citizens still awaiting the untarnished messiah who will deliver us from this vale of tears!Of course Bill Wilson was no saint!And JFK and MLK were promiscuous, the list goes on and on.Lincoln was a depressive, now he was even gay!
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Subjects:  1. Alcohol Abuse    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Twelve-Step Programs    8. Alcoholism    9. Biography & Autobiography / General    10. Biography: general   

Reviews (5)

I could not wait to get done.
I have always been very impressed with the life of Helen Keller. The difficulties she overcame in life were phenomenal. This book, however, was not interesting to me in the least. I am sad to hear about how she moved away from her traditional Christian background and followed the false teachings of Swedenborg. The book is more about Swedenborg than it is about Helen. It is a strong promotion of Swedenborg's New Church. She claims that he had a special ability from God to find the truth in scripture. The problem is, he like all other cult founders, only takes portions of scripture and uses them out of context. He claimed to have special revelations that no one else ever did. Beware of anyone who makes such claims. According to the book, Helen was pretty silent on her beliefs for the last thirty eight years of her life. I hope she was silent out of her realization that Swedenborg is not master of the truth, but Jesus is the truth instead. I do not recommend you use your time reading this book. It can be spent much more wisely.

Touching Story, Stunning Ideas
This book was not only touching because of Helen Keller's fascinating story, but also an uplifting reassurance that life is worth living.Her ideas, those from and about Emanuel Swedenborg, strike me as poingantly true.Helen Keller's unique perspective on the world adds an amazing depth and reality to this work.I absolutly reccomend it for anyone and everyone.

Beautiful!
I really enjoyed reading this book.It made me look again at what Ibelieve and see it more clearly.This is a great introduction to the ideasof Emanual Swedenborg and the New Church. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1688-1772    2. 1880-1968    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Historical - General    6. Keller, Helen,    7. New Jerusalem Church    8. Religion    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Swedenborg, Emanuel,    11. Swedenborgians    12. Keller, Helen    13. Religion & Beliefs    14. Swedenborg, Emanuel   

Editorial Review

Christopher Reeve has beaten the odds before. He scored his first role in a Euripides play at 15, costarred with Katharine Hepburn at 22, and was one of two advanced-program students accepted at Juilliard, to which 2,000 drama students annually apply. (The other advanced student became his best friend, Robin Williams.) Reeve rode a sailplane to 32,000 feet over Pikes Peak, fell 90 feet from a parasail harness into four feet of water and walked away. He survived emergency appendectomy, malaria in Kenya, and the disastrous film Read more

Reviews (88)

Still Me by Christopher Reeve
I thought the book was very well written. It was very easy to read. It showed a lot about the courageous Reeve family and what they had to live through on a daily basis and what contributions they made to persons with disabilities.

He made me belive that a man could fly.....
Well there are now two stories that go with the life and work of Christopher Reeve.There was the story of his life.Of how everything changed after his accident in 1995 and how he reached deep inside himself to find a deep human inner strength to go on.With love of his wife Dana, and his children.And with friends like actor Robin Williams and Superman Director Richard Donner, Chris continued to work and always kept speaking on behalf of spinal Cord Research. By doing all that and writing books like this, his work and his legacy have become a sign of hope to millions all around the world that also live with spinal cord injury and the hope that one day, it can be effectively treated and cured.That's what one part of this book is about, The other half of this book is also about that one role he will forever be known as.In 1978, a young unknown actor played the part of a superhero in a movie that is now a large part of American Mythology.His performance and his honesty in the role made me belive that a man can fly, and as long as Superman remains a part of American Mythology, the story of the man who played him will also be remembered.It's a tribute to both the man who played him and the character in the comics pages that Chris Reeve always remained most proud of in the many roles that he played as an actor.

Life changing book
I absolutely loved this book!I have loved Christopher Reeve since I was a small child.This book made me feel like he was writing to me personally, sharing the intimate details of his life.It made me feel close to my life-long hero and is probably the best book I have ever read.The way he described his love for his wife helped me open up my heart and let myself fall in love again.I recommend this book to anyone who's admired Mr. Reeve or is in need of inspiration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. Actors    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    10. Individual Movie Actors And Actresses    11. Quadriplegics    12. Reeve, Christopher,    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    16. Reeve, Christopher   

Reviews (6)

Some Good Material, But Not Perfect
I really wanted to like this book. Some of the descriptions of the narrator's increasingly challenging interactions with the world are wonderful. After reading it, I can well imagine what it feels like to be in a noisy club when you can barely see, or what it's like to navigate a stariway with only a cane for guidance. Even the relationship challenges are interesting and (to me) unprecedented.
Very insightful biography
One of the few books that I read from cover to cover just finished it today. I wanted to know exactly what was going on in Ryan's life and how he coped with this new reality.
A memoir or a 20-something angst-filled narrative?
Ryan Knighton was born in 1983.It is perhaps an interesting commentary on his life that he feels ready to write "A Memoir" in his early twenties.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blind    7. General    8. Patients    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Retinitis pigmentosa    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Biography: general    13. Coping with disability   

Reviews (80)

Classroom Read
I am a special education teacher at a residential treatment facility that works with children in similar situations.As an end of the year project, I read this story to my 16-18 year old high school girls.They wouldn't let me put it down.The emotions, empathy, and similar situations my girls experienced were finally put into words.David, to them, is a survivor and has given them hope for their own future!Thank you Mr. Pelzer for sharing your story and helping my girls know that they are not the only ones!

a truley touching story.
The story a child called "it" it shows us the life of a boy longing to be loved. he is abused by his alcoholic mother. his father is torn between the two but chooses not to tell anyone. all his younger syblings are treated with love and care. he is trying to survive in his mothers 'hell'. i recommend this book to teens and young adults it will open your eyes to smoething you might have been blinded by but yet still happens in the world today... Abuse. some people just dont have the courage to stand up for what they know and believe is right. but just think about it you would be saving and inoccent life and giving a chance that wouldnt have been givin.

Michelle M, Miller Place, NY
This book was about a boy named David who went through a rough time when he was younger. He would get abused by his mother and his dad was an alcholic.The boy had no right and no say in that house hold his younger brothers had more say then he did.he would get tortured everyday and his mother would make him stay and live in the basement with nothing.Later in the book he finally gets rescued and is put into a shelter home.His life isnt how it use to be anymore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abused children    3. Abusive mothers    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. California    7. Children of alcoholics    8. Daly City    9. Dysfunctional Families    10. Family relationships    11. Religion    12. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Spirituality - General    15. Self-Help / Abuse   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (30)

Hannah, too rosey?I don't think so.
I loved this book and it really helped me.Some think that Hannah was preceived as the "perfect" child, and I can relate to that. We just lost our Granddaughter on her 2nd. birthday, she had Cystic Fibrous, but died, not from CF, but during a "simple" 15-20 min. procedure in surgery.Two months after her passing I read Hannah's gift. I took care of our little Bethany, while our daughter worked, and they live within walking distance right next to us.We were together every day, so I saw all the same signs.These children ARE so special.They have so much love, they are almost perfect, with very small "wrongs".Like Hannah's mom, I got that feeling, that they know, their time on earth is short,just by the way their eyes will sometimes look at you. They know you love them so much as they love you, but they won't be here to share that love.Yes, Hannah's Gift was a touching story

Moving and Raw
Hannah's Gift is the story of a remarkable little girl and her fight with cancer.
a lovely tribute to a little girl
This was a beautifully written little book.It was nostalgic, a tribute; in her quest to understand the meaning of her child's death, Maria Housden has become more spiritually centered.She learned to find meaning in what could have been a uniformly horrible, life-destroying event.Like some other readers, though, I found the book overly rosy.Some of the more existentialist readers will wonder how Ms. Housden managed to overcome the sense that such a death did not have to happen, though it did happen, and to her... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Cancer    4. Cancer in children    5. Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. Kidneys    7. Parental Memoirs    8. Patients    9. Religion    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. Spirituality - General    12. United States    13. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (54)

A place for everything and everything in its place
I recently found out that my daughter has aspergers.It was in some ways devastating and in other ways a relief.I understand now.This book helps me understand. Though i haven't quite accepted it, i am beginning to.Books like this one are essential in helping communicate the seemingly uncommunicatable.Thank you.

Do you understand?
I am diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and compared to Liane I have been a lot less successful at having a more mainstream life. If I don't tell people I have Asperger syndrome they think I am strange, stupid, and unpleasant. If I do tell people I have Asperger syndrome the first thing they always say is how `normal' I seem despite it. I guess telling people you have AS lowers their expectations of you and the standards they judge you by, totally altering their perception of what you are like. Asperger's Syndrome Thinking
I really enjoyed reading this book, because it gave me insight into the thought processes of people with Asperger's.This will definitely help me in interpreting my son's thinking and helping him get back on track, as he tends to be very literal in his understanding.The appendices were also very helpful and I recommended this for my nephew who is soon going to college and needs to find one that will support Asperger students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autism    3. Autistic Disorder    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. General    7. Medical - General    8. Mental Illness    9. Patients    10. Personal Narratives    11. Popular works    12. Psychology    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Willey, Liane Holliday    15. in infancy & childhood    16. Biography: general    17. Coping with illness    18. Psychiatry   

Reviews (22)

Clueless in Indiana
I find the events surrounding Ben's development tragic.With a psychiatrist father and nurse mother, they ignored SIGNIFICANT signs. Toe walking, unintelligable speech at THREE, severe separation anxiety, textural issues with food, sensory overload. This book makes the case for effective early intervention, being an effective advocate for your child (stop denying and placing blame on the husband) and finding the right resources.Newsflash:APD is NOT new and the lack of evaluators and educators who were unfamiliar with this learning disability is alarming.
VERY TOUCHING STORY
WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL EVALUATIONS WITH OUR NOW FIVE YEAR OLD SON.THESE DOCTORS PROBABLY COULD FILL WALLS WITH THIER DIPLOMAS, YET NO ONE COULD TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.THEIR ANSWER - OVERALL DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY CAUSING SPEECH DELAY.WE SOMEHOW KNEW BETTER.I READ THIS BOOK AND CRIED KNOWING THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WERE GOING THROUGH. THE BOOK IS VERY TOUCHING TO READ ANOTHER MOTHER'S ACCOUNT OF STRUGGLING TO HELP HER SON. WE FINALLY SAW A SPEECH THERAPIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN CPD - SHE RECOGNIZED THE SYMPTOMS RIGHT AWAY.

Absolutly touching story
I was so touched by Foli's story.She wonderfully portrays the helplessness parents feel when their child is having difficulties.And the anguish and guilt that we heap upon ourselves.I truely loved and understood the journey her family took.It really made me understand that I am not alone and that other families go thru this as well.As parents we never feel like we are doing enough.But I loved how in the end she trusted her instincts and used the public school system.It really helped me to feel better about my decision to keep my children in the public school system as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Parental Memoirs    5. Parenting - General    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Women    8. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (10)

Thanks!
Thank you for your quick service and amazing availability.I have checked over half a dozen places for my new book and no one seems to carry it! I appreciate your speedy shipping as it comes in handy when I need something soon.

Another exploration into ALZ by one who is there
This is a magnificent addition to the small but growing oeuvre of those telling it like it is from within the shadow of Alzheimer's. Unlike Kuhn's "Alzheimer's Early Stages" who offers a Prozac to those of us who defy his Polyannish view of a CRS' mental functioning without seeking insights from those who remain lucid and analytical and rational within, despite our infrequent "windows of clarity", McGowan tells it like it is for some of us: warts, fistulae, et al.She does not hold back from her anger, depression and increased libido. [Discretely, I have observed that the female party in an ALZ pairing, whether caregiver or ALZer, seems to be affected by ALZ as if it were a female aphrodasiac, whereas the male is threatened by his partner's increased "horniness." Studies of sexual activities in aging environments seems to confirm this casual observation, which appears psychological rather than physiological, i.e. it seems not related to the physical phenomena of erectile dysfunction, or loss of vaginal lubrication, but rather a soritin reward for coping with the stress of ALZ. A Must Read
Living in the Labyrinth is one of the first books I read when I began researching Alzheimer's disease.It is a gripping account of Alzheimer's disease from the inside.I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alzheimer's disease    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Diseases - Alzheimer's & Dementia    6. Friel McGowin, Diana    7. Health    8. Patients    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. United States    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (7)

great story
really good book.only thing not perfect is the quality of the pictures in the softcover version.Otherwise great.

Refreshing!
Struggling to come up with title for this review shouldn't have happened, for "refreshing" describes this enjoyable read.
Inspirational book
This was a really good autobiography about Heather Whitestone, former Miss America.She talks about her struggles as a deaf person and her experience as Miss America, and how God has worked in her life.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty contestants    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Deaf women    5. Inspirational - General    6. Miss America Pageant, Atlantic City, N.J    7. Religion    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. United States    10. Women    11. Biography: general    12. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    13. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (1)

A Powerful Memoir
"The First and Final Nightmare of Sonia Reich" by Howard Reich is a very powerful memoir.Author Howard Reich writes about his mother Sonia Reich suffering from late-onset Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Holocaust survivors    6. Illinois    7. Jews    8. Mental Illness    9. Patients    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Post-traumatic stress disorder    12. Skokie    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Women    15. Biography: general