Stroke-related book review
I just finished reading My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a neuroanatomist who is a spokesperson for the 'Brain Bank' at Harvard University (www.drjilltaylor.com).
There are a couple of things that I liked about this book - 1) she really slowed down and seemed to record everything as the stroke occurred to her. While I have a good memory of what happened during my stroke, hers has detail that is interesting to read about. 2) She provides detail that, while scientific in nature, is related well to the reader in the book. 3) She has a great way of advocating for the stroker in her hints at the end of the book.
There are just as many things that I didn't like about this book - 1) she gets really touch-feely and new-agey that was weird and distracting (e.g., 'we are all energy in the universe and are at one with the flow of life' kind of stuff). I just don't have much patience for this nonsense. 2) All of the ridiculous 'we are the world' topics took away from the message in her book. 3) Finally, she really romanticized stroke. This bothered me like nothing else. Maybe since she is so far removed (it was 12 years ago and she considered herself fully recovered at the 8 year mark) and fully recovered that she thinks it appropriate to 'wish everyone had this experience' (I am paraphrasing in all of my quotes). She has forgotten what it was like to recover and really be in the thick of it.
I can't possibly stress how dangerous romanticizing stroke can be. It's not like someone can then say 'cool, I want a stroke' and have one by wishing for it, but it will influence people negatively "oh, you had a stroke? you are so lucky" or not treat stroke as the medical emergency that it is.
I originally heard about her from a coworker. I emailed her as a way to connect and say 'hey, we were both young when we stroked, do you have any suggestions for recovery?' and her reply was a very curt 'buy my book - it has suggestions in it'. I should have known then not to buy the book. The recovery suggestions were worthless to me, in every way, shape, and form.
Overall - I didn't like the book but it made me aware that I can donate my brain to the Brain Bank at Harvard University which I will look into.
So, take that review for what it is worth ($.02 seems about right to me) - I won't be buying anything else from her as I consider her to be unrealistic and a bit of a stroker fraud.
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