How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

by Abbie Johnson Taylor

In September of 2005, Abbie Johnson married Bill Taylor. She was in her mid-forties, and he was nineteen years older. Three months later, Bill suffered the first of two strokes that paralyzed his left side and confined him to a wheelchair. Abbie Johnson Taylor, once a registered music therapist, uses prose and poetry to tell the story of how she met and married her husband, then cared for him for six years despite her visual impairment. At first, there was a glimmer of hope that Bill would walk again, but when therapists gave up on him seven months after his second stroke, Taylor resigned herself to being a permanent family caregiver. She discusses learning to dress him and transfer him from one place to another, sitting up with him at night when he couldn't urinate or move his bowels, and dealing with doctors and bureaucrats to obtain necessary equipment and services. There were happy times, like when she played the piano or guitar and sang his favorite songs, or when they went out to eat or to a concert. She also explains how she purchased a wheelchair accessible van and found people to drive it, so they wouldn't always depend on the local paratransit service's limited hours. In the end, she describes the painful decision she and Bill made to move him to a nursing home when he became too weak for her to care for him in September of 2012. He seemed to give up on life and passed away a month later. Abbie Johnson Taylor lives in Sheridan, Wyoming and is the author of three previously published books.

Genres: Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2016

About the author

Abbie Johnson Taylor is the author of three novels, two poetry collections, and a memoir. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various journals and anthologies. She is visually impaired and lives in Sheridan, Wyoming, where for six years, she cared for her late husband, who was totally blind and partially paralyzed by two strokes soon after they were married.
Before that, she spent fifteen years as a registered music therapist, working in nursing homes and other facilities that serve senior citizens. She also taught Braille, facilitated a support group for the visually impaired, and served on the advisory board to a trust fund that allows people with blindness or low vision to purchase adaptive equipment. Please visit her website at https://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com

Reviews

[Mark Antony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book Show I that shows Author s personnel journey and true inspiration to other s.

[Alceste · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Ideal Partner is Abbie Johnson Taylor's new book. Its memoir about her married life, how she met her husband and their year of struggles together. You might know her from her writings and the interview I took of her last year. You can read the full interview here.

In September 2005, Abbie married Bill Taylor, she in her mid-forties and her husband in his sixties. Three months later after being married, Bill suffered a series of strokes that paralysed his left side that bound him to a wheel chair. Abbie, previously worked as a music therapist, uses her memory, with a mixture of prose and poetry to tell this beautiful story about her married life.

Despite her visual impairment, she cared for her husband for next six years, facing constant struggle and hardship, and trying conquer every obstacles in the way. Soon doctors and therapists gave upon Bill as his health started to decline. She did not. She pursued her life martial life with some changes that appeared. After reading her memoir, I realised these changes appear in everyone's life. We have to learn to live with them. Life is all about change. Nothing is constant accept these changes.

In the end, she describes the painful decision she and Bill made to move him to a nursing home where he finally gave up on life and passed away in 2012 after a month later. Her words through poetry shows the strength of her love and generosity. Writing is elegant and flawless.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an emotional touch or reading a memoir.

4 out of 5!

[Wanda Luthman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caregiving, Love, and Loss

After having just lost my husband 6 weeks ago to brain cancer and being his caregiver, I found myself in this book. Similar thoughts and feelings. I never knew before I was one how difficult it was to be a caregiver. Watching your big strong husband decline and doing everything in your power to try and ease their suffering is beyond difficult. This was a very good book and well-written. What a beautiful love they shared. Anyone who’s gone through a similar situation will relate and those that haven’t will gain some insight into our world.

[Aman Mittal · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Ideal Partner is Abbie Johnson Taylor's new book. Its memoir about her married life, how she met her husband and their year of struggles together. You might know her from her writings and the interview I took of her last year. You can read the full interview here.

In September 2005, Abbie married Bill Taylor, she in her mid-forties and her husband in his sixties. Three months later after being married, Bill suffered a series of strokes that paralysed his left side that bound him to a wheel chair. Abbie, previously worked as a music therapist, uses her memory, with a mixture of prose and poetry to tell this beautiful story about her married life.

Despite her visual impairment, she cared for her husband for next six years, facing constant struggle and hardship, and trying conquer every obstacles in the way. Soon doctors and therapists gave upon Bill as his health started to decline. She did not. She pursued her life martial life with some changes that appeared. After reading her memoir, I realised these changes appear in everyone's life. We have to learn to live with them. Life is all about change. Nothing is constant accept these changes.

In the end, she describes the painful decision she and Bill made to move him to a nursing home where he finally gave up on life and passed away in 2012 after a month later. Her words through poetry shows the strength of her love and generosity. Writing is elegant and flawless.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an emotional touch or reading a memoir.

4 out of 5!

[Loran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching memoir

I enjoyed the easy flow of Abbie's book. Their love transcended many challenges. Abbie's has an indomitable spirit and a tender grace.