Healing into Possibility: The Transformation Lessons of a Stroke

by Alison Bonds Shapiro

An uplifting look at the neuroplasticity of our brains and our human ability to grow and changeAlison Bonds Shapiro suffered two debilitating and nearly fatal strokes in her fifties. Healing into Possibility chronicles her experience of learning, through trial and error, that her attitude would play the most important role in her remarkable recovery. In this touching book, Shapiro teaches simple principles that anyone can use when faced with illness, injury, or any other seemingly insurmountable problem to transform despair into hope and dead ends into possibilities.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Pam McGinty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I happen to know Alison from my being an in-patient in Sheltering Arm Rehab Center in November of 2021. Alison spoke to our group of in-patients who had just experienced a stroke. I sat in my wheelchair and just cried hearing her story and how she got to where she is now by possibilities. I was compromised on my right side, speech was a little garbled and reasoning was a little difficult. After hearing her talk to us I realized that if Alison could work hard and be who she is now, I could also not sit and “wallow” in what I had “lost” due to my stroke, but with hard work and different thinking, I could try to do the same. I didn’t know what was ahead for me, I needed to be present in the right now and work with what I had to find new ways to do things and challenge myself without wearing myself out in the process. After two week in-patient rehab, I was released with my walker and cane, did 2 additional months of rehab. Six months later I had more strokes, while on vacation, spent 4 days in hospital away from where we live, came home carried on at home with my process I started in November and I am happy to report that everyday brings new possibilities. Thank you, Alison, for your encouragement then and the encouragement I received from you book. Look forward to seeing you on our Zoom Stroke Survivor’s monthly meeting.

[Chuck Steffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Inspiring

I loved the book.

I am 9 months into my own stroke recovery. The stroke affected balance ability more than anything and the damage is not as apparent as a paralyzed limb would be.

The book helped me to recognize that I was avoiding activities that would challenge my balance and that I need to do activities that force me to work on my balance issues. The book increased my awareness of injuries that I had been ignoring and gave me tools to work on them.

[Elizabeth Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m presently just ready to begin chapter 7 , but this is a book to read and paused and ponder. I know the author both pre-stroke and post stroke and believe this book is life-changing for those who even don’t know her. Buy it read it share it!

An appropriate timely book for anyone who has had a brain injury or knows someone who has. Alison Bond Shapiro you are a gift.

[Charles Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed Thoroughly-Great Inspiration

This lady shows what can be done to effect recovery from serious strokes. It takes willpower and a lot of hard work, but life only begins when you begin it AFTER the recovery begins.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Bonds Shapiro did everything right. She exercised, ate well, had a great love relationship, was successful in her career, and was living her dream of illustrating a children’s book. Without warning, she had two strokes. Her life would forever change.

Healing into Possibility is the story of Alison’s recovery. Like most of us when life changing events occur, at first she felt very sorry for herself. Why could this happen? What did she do wrong? There had to be a logical explanation and a plan that would make everything normal again.

Of course, life is never that simple. Nonetheless, it is from such times that we learn the most about ourselves and the importance of blessings we do have in our life. Sometimes, like Alison, we also discover a strength that we never knew existed. 

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! As a stroke survivor this book covered so many issues that are important for anyone affected by a stroke. thank you Alison!