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Different Strokes: An Intimate Memoir for Stroke Survivors, Families, and Care Givers
“Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in America, and for the ‘lucky’ stroke victims who don’t die, about half will spend the rest of their lives trying to recover.” Roughly 700,000 American suffer a stroke each year and around 140,000 of them are fatal. Different Strokes is an in-depth look at what surviving, or not surviving, a stroke can mean. And Steven Boorstein should know-at age fifty-two, he suffered a stroke after a hit on the ski slopes of Vail. Part-memoir, part-how-to, Steven Boorstein’s book will help you to recover from a stroke, whether you were the victim of one or had to watch a loved one suffer.Dividing the book into three distinct sections, Boorstein first focuses on his personal experience with a stroke, how he recovered, and his controversial use of medical marijuana to help resurrect his damaged mind and wracked body. The second part of this book explores how others have dealt with a stroke. Hear first-hand from stroke survivors and their loved ones about what effect a stroke had on their marriage, sex life, careers, relationships (with children, relatives, strangers), and more. The finale of the book covers tools and helpful resources-therapies, therapeutic tools, and exercises; organizations for survivors; and key words-for people who have had a stroke, been diagnosed as being at risk, or for those whose loved ones are at risk or are recovering. This is an essential book for anyone who’s ever had, or been hurt by, a stroke.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2011
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September 8, 2012
My husband and I recently started attending a stroke support group we found here in our town; they had been reading and discussing this book at their monthly meetings. So we jumped on the bandwagon.
Steve tells of his personal experience with his stroke and his recovery process. It's a very readable book. Steve has been highly motivated and worked himself hard to recover many of the abilities he lost in the stroke. It is impressive what he has accomplished in a few short years. My husband has also been reading this book and hasn't felt the same way that I do about the book (not so curious, is that?). I hope he will share his own opinion when he finishes, but the thing I want to say here is that it has kind of bothered my husband that Steve has accomplished so much in such a realtively short time. So while I (and others) can be impressed about Steve's accomplishments, my husband (and others, I'm sure) will be bothered by that progress when they are not recovered as fully as they would like.
My only negative about this book was Steve's use of foul language -- I know that swearing and cursing is a common, normal, acceptable part of many people's worlds. But not mine and I don't appreciate reading those words. I can tolerate a "h---" or "d---" once in awhile but have pretty much zero tolerance for "sh--" or the "f"-word. For me personally, it got in the way of me enjoying the rest of his story. I also had a hard time with his choice to use recreational drugs to feel better and function better. Not a choice I would make nor did we.
My very favorite part of this book was reading the stories of the other 14 stroke survivors that Steve interviewed and included in the book. It was interesting to see the variety of ages and circumstances they reported. We always hear the statement "Different strokes for different folks" and it is very true. A person's experience is very individual -- based on where the stroke occurred, how quickly it was discovered and treated, how much damage was done, the age and health of the individual when the stroke occurs, and how much treatment and therapy they were given. So although every stroke is unique in character, I found it interesting to see how many similarities there are as well. I particularly enjoyed hearing from the spouses/partners of the stroke survivors and knowing that other caregivers share some of my own personal frustrations.
So all in all, I would say a worthwhile read, but not a 4-star read.
Steve tells of his personal experience with his stroke and his recovery process. It's a very readable book. Steve has been highly motivated and worked himself hard to recover many of the abilities he lost in the stroke. It is impressive what he has accomplished in a few short years. My husband has also been reading this book and hasn't felt the same way that I do about the book (not so curious, is that?). I hope he will share his own opinion when he finishes, but the thing I want to say here is that it has kind of bothered my husband that Steve has accomplished so much in such a realtively short time. So while I (and others) can be impressed about Steve's accomplishments, my husband (and others, I'm sure) will be bothered by that progress when they are not recovered as fully as they would like.
My only negative about this book was Steve's use of foul language -- I know that swearing and cursing is a common, normal, acceptable part of many people's worlds. But not mine and I don't appreciate reading those words. I can tolerate a "h---" or "d---" once in awhile but have pretty much zero tolerance for "sh--" or the "f"-word. For me personally, it got in the way of me enjoying the rest of his story. I also had a hard time with his choice to use recreational drugs to feel better and function better. Not a choice I would make nor did we.
My very favorite part of this book was reading the stories of the other 14 stroke survivors that Steve interviewed and included in the book. It was interesting to see the variety of ages and circumstances they reported. We always hear the statement "Different strokes for different folks" and it is very true. A person's experience is very individual -- based on where the stroke occurred, how quickly it was discovered and treated, how much damage was done, the age and health of the individual when the stroke occurs, and how much treatment and therapy they were given. So although every stroke is unique in character, I found it interesting to see how many similarities there are as well. I particularly enjoyed hearing from the spouses/partners of the stroke survivors and knowing that other caregivers share some of my own personal frustrations.
So all in all, I would say a worthwhile read, but not a 4-star read.
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