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Hold My Hand: A Mother's Journey
Glenys Carl's life changed for ever with one phone call - her son Scott, who was halfway round the world in Australia, had suffered a traumatic head injury and was not expected to live. It was the start of a remarkable journey for Glenys - and for Scott, who survived with his personality intact but could only move one arm.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 22, 2019
This book is truely one of the best I have ever read! It is an inspirational real life story of the remarkable journey a mother undertook to care for her son after an incident which left him in a coma and then disabled. When the system badly let them down she cared for him at home and managed to get many strangers to volunteer their time to help out. In the process she not only enriched her own life and that of her son, but the lives of every volunteer she found. And now I believe all readers of this book will be enriched too! It must be because she is originaly from Pembrokeshire in Wales. Pembrokeshire poeple are special. This book made me laugh, it made me cry & it touched my soul.
July 20, 2024
One of the most spiritual nonspiritual books I have ever read. It is a compelling read. In this book you see a woman 's journey that is what we would call miraculous. Indeed, it is an insight into how life will work when we just act and trust our inner knowing.
June 29, 2017
This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. Talk about devotion! Glenys' son suffers a terrible head injury, and she spends the following years in ensuring that his life is as good as possible. Because she is such a charismatic person, with a very strong spiritual belief system, she attracts an incredible array of people of help her with Scott. Between them they must have influenced so many people. A really good read and I'm glad I found this book in a local charity shop.
April 25, 2019
The story of a mother and her immense courage. Her son got into a fatal accident. That was the time she could lose herself but she didn't. Holding herself , she gathered all her power and decided to fight to the immigration system, doctors, bills and what not. End should have made me cry but i didn't. She fought well and her son too. Such a beautiful story. A must read from the bottom of my heart.
November 17, 2020
An enjoyable but heartbreaking story written by a strong, dedicated and devoted woman. A story of courage, endurance, tragedy and love to quote Nicholas Evans.
January 7, 2022
Not my usual genre and not often a book reduces me to tears. A beautiful story written from the heart.
May 28, 2011
What a strong woman and a great book.
Synopsis as Written on Amazon.co.uk
Glenys Carl's life changed for ever with one phone call saying that her son Scott, who was halfway round the world in Australia , had suffered a traumatic head injury and was not expected to live. It was the start of a remarkable journey for Glenys - and for Scott, who survived with his personality intact but could only move one arm. In this inspirational book Glenys describes her fight to rehabilitate Scott after the doctors advised that no more could be done to help his mobility and he should be put in a home. Glenys was determined she would look after Scott herself and teach him to walk again. Alone in Sydney , she put leaflets out asking for help. Complete strangers turned up at her door, a flood of volunteers, all giving their time to Scott, inspired by his unquenchable spirit. When they moved to London the same thing happened as volunteers helped with Scott's therapy until he was able to take his first difficult steps. Along the way Glenys learned to trust her instincts as a mother, to treasure each moment with her son and to accept her situation without bitterness, even when tragedy struck again. Scott's courage and his mother's determination to give him the best possible life imbue with book with a powerful message of hope.
Synopsis as Written on Amazon.co.uk
Glenys Carl's life changed for ever with one phone call saying that her son Scott, who was halfway round the world in Australia , had suffered a traumatic head injury and was not expected to live. It was the start of a remarkable journey for Glenys - and for Scott, who survived with his personality intact but could only move one arm. In this inspirational book Glenys describes her fight to rehabilitate Scott after the doctors advised that no more could be done to help his mobility and he should be put in a home. Glenys was determined she would look after Scott herself and teach him to walk again. Alone in Sydney , she put leaflets out asking for help. Complete strangers turned up at her door, a flood of volunteers, all giving their time to Scott, inspired by his unquenchable spirit. When they moved to London the same thing happened as volunteers helped with Scott's therapy until he was able to take his first difficult steps. Along the way Glenys learned to trust her instincts as a mother, to treasure each moment with her son and to accept her situation without bitterness, even when tragedy struck again. Scott's courage and his mother's determination to give him the best possible life imbue with book with a powerful message of hope.
April 2, 2014
I loved this book!
It was so well written, I couldn't put the book down for the life of me!
The story line is absolutely amazing. It was so Inspirational, I laughed, I cried, I felt sad, emotional. There isn't a book like this where I have felt so many feelings towards one book.
I was dissapointed at the end because I really thought that it would have been the opposite to what the outcome actually was, I can't say anything bad about this book.
I would read it, over and over again!
It was so well written, I couldn't put the book down for the life of me!
The story line is absolutely amazing. It was so Inspirational, I laughed, I cried, I felt sad, emotional. There isn't a book like this where I have felt so many feelings towards one book.
I was dissapointed at the end because I really thought that it would have been the opposite to what the outcome actually was, I can't say anything bad about this book.
I would read it, over and over again!
November 14, 2009
A poignant and true story of a mother's effort to save her brain-injured son, laying the groundwork for a nascent volunteer movement. As it happens, I will be meeting the author, Glenys Carl, later this week.
February 8, 2013
This book was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
If you have any personal experienc of traumatic brain injuries read it.
If you have any personal experienc of traumatic brain injuries read it.
February 28, 2015
Received from Carol Woodsong 10-14-09. Great book. Spoke to my heart. Re-gifted to Shannon's 2nd Annual Book Exchange on 2-28-15.
June 25, 2015
Very inspiring book. Even Nicholas Evans, the author of The Horse Whisperer, thought it "extraordinary tale of courage, endurance, tragedy and love"
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews