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Happily Ever After: My Journey with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and How I Got My Life Back
Holly Gerlach, a new mother who was paralyzed with a rare disease just weeks after giving birth, inspired millions with her fighting spirit to overcome the impossible and get back to her daughter. Her remarkable recovery from paralysis to walking again was documented in a YouTube video, "Holly's Journey" and has over 100 million views across the world on national media.
As seen Sharing is Caring Little Thing s LADBible NTD Television
UNILAD
Daily Mail
Blunt Kommunity
The Sun
RecreoViral
That's Life Magazine
YEG Fitness Magazine
Joy of Mom
As Told by Women
Women for One
Just weeks after giving birth, Holly's life came crashing down. What should have been an exciting time in this new mom's life quickly changed, when she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome - a rare autoimmune disorder. Within 72 hours, Holly was paralyzed in the ICU on life support, unable to move, speak or hold her newborn baby. As the days turned into weeks, and with no sign of improvement, she entered a severe state of despair and hopelessness.
But she found her strength. In this inspiring true story, Holly shares her journey through intensive rehabilitation - where she learns how to do basic tasks like breathing, eating and walking again - and how she fought to regain her independence to get back to her daughter. With incredible perseverance, Holly overcame every obstacle she faced to be the mother she always dreamed of. And just one year later, Holly was in the best shape of her life -living her life to the fullest.
A story of strength and determination, Happily Ever After reminds us that anything is possible.
Holly's courageous story is sure to inspire you to never give up!
As seen Sharing is Caring Little Thing s LADBible NTD Television
UNILAD
Daily Mail
Blunt Kommunity
The Sun
RecreoViral
That's Life Magazine
YEG Fitness Magazine
Joy of Mom
As Told by Women
Women for One
Just weeks after giving birth, Holly's life came crashing down. What should have been an exciting time in this new mom's life quickly changed, when she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome - a rare autoimmune disorder. Within 72 hours, Holly was paralyzed in the ICU on life support, unable to move, speak or hold her newborn baby. As the days turned into weeks, and with no sign of improvement, she entered a severe state of despair and hopelessness.
But she found her strength. In this inspiring true story, Holly shares her journey through intensive rehabilitation - where she learns how to do basic tasks like breathing, eating and walking again - and how she fought to regain her independence to get back to her daughter. With incredible perseverance, Holly overcame every obstacle she faced to be the mother she always dreamed of. And just one year later, Holly was in the best shape of her life -living her life to the fullest.
A story of strength and determination, Happily Ever After reminds us that anything is possible.
Holly's courageous story is sure to inspire you to never give up!
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2012
33 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Holly Gerlach
3 books3 followersWith a new pen name, the addition of new chapters and years passed, Holly's new book "Life Support: Surviving Guillain-Barre Syndrome - A Mother's Story of Hope and Recovery" replaces "Happily Ever After."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 29, 2020
Ternampak sedutan kisah Holly di FB, terus tertarik untuk membaca buku tulisannya.
Diceritakan bagaimana simptom GBS Holly bermula, melarat sehingga lumpuh seluruh badan kecuali leher dan kepala. Kemudian proses penyembuhan yang sangat sukar - bermula dengan hanya boleh menggerakkan sebatang jari sehinggalah mengangkat tangan, kaki, berdiri dan seterusnya berjalan.
Kadang-kadang memang perlu baca kisah sebegini supaya tak lupa untuk bersyukur atas nikmat sihat yang tuhan beri. 3.5*
Diceritakan bagaimana simptom GBS Holly bermula, melarat sehingga lumpuh seluruh badan kecuali leher dan kepala. Kemudian proses penyembuhan yang sangat sukar - bermula dengan hanya boleh menggerakkan sebatang jari sehinggalah mengangkat tangan, kaki, berdiri dan seterusnya berjalan.
Kadang-kadang memang perlu baca kisah sebegini supaya tak lupa untuk bersyukur atas nikmat sihat yang tuhan beri. 3.5*
August 17, 2016
After reading this book I felt like I was one of the people who was with her during her experiences with GBS. I am incredibly humbled after reading this book about Holly's experiences. I feel like I have a friendship with her even though we only me once and she knows nothing about me. It's the strangest thing. Highly recommend.
March 6, 2018
I read the book “Happily Ever After” by Holly Gerlach. The title may make you assume that this book is just another fairytale with a prince, a princess, fairy godmothers and of course you can’t forget the wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Although this is not the case, this book is a true story based off of twenty-six-year-old Holly Gerlach who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome after giving birth and overcoming a minor cold. This disease hit Holly hard and in less than three days she was hospitalized, paralyzed and couldn’t breathe on her own any longer. Before reading this book I had no idea that Guillain-Barré Syndrome even existed. While reading this book there were so many interesting facts that just blew my mind along with the fact of just how fast this disease hit Holly. I loved how Holly’s husband James took time off of work to not only look over their newborn Casey but also Holly.
This book went into such great detail and had me reading nonstop. This book even had me wondering why people just stare down those who are in wheelchairs? People don’t know everyone’s story, you don’t know how or why someone ended up in a wheelchair or even paralyzed. They could be like Holly were a sudden life-threatening disease caused her to be in a wheelchair. This book teaches you a valuable life lesson on not judging people for being in a certain state especially if you don’t know their story. My favorite part of this book was when Holly started getting motivated to were she gained the ability to start moving and speaking again. My favorite character in this book is Holly, she is my favorite character because she was strong and never gave up. Even though she had a severe disease she never gave up and even when she wanted to she had friends and family who wouldn’t let her just give up. She always found a reason to be happy and got so happy when she accomplished even the littlest things. I would recommend this book to an audience of pretty much everyone, I wouldn’t really recommend this book to a specific age group. Any age group could learn many great lessons from this book and really enjoy the true meaning behind the book.
This book went into such great detail and had me reading nonstop. This book even had me wondering why people just stare down those who are in wheelchairs? People don’t know everyone’s story, you don’t know how or why someone ended up in a wheelchair or even paralyzed. They could be like Holly were a sudden life-threatening disease caused her to be in a wheelchair. This book teaches you a valuable life lesson on not judging people for being in a certain state especially if you don’t know their story. My favorite part of this book was when Holly started getting motivated to were she gained the ability to start moving and speaking again. My favorite character in this book is Holly, she is my favorite character because she was strong and never gave up. Even though she had a severe disease she never gave up and even when she wanted to she had friends and family who wouldn’t let her just give up. She always found a reason to be happy and got so happy when she accomplished even the littlest things. I would recommend this book to an audience of pretty much everyone, I wouldn’t really recommend this book to a specific age group. Any age group could learn many great lessons from this book and really enjoy the true meaning behind the book.
February 6, 2018
A very insightful novel which really made you understand what Holly went through and how much good medical care can fast track recovery. Also the support she received from her husband was incredible, I want a James! Makes you really appreciate the small things - like breathing.
The only reason the extra star isn't there is because I found some bits very long winded.. however I think if someone who had been through it read those bits it would be important to see she went through it.
The only reason the extra star isn't there is because I found some bits very long winded.. however I think if someone who had been through it read those bits it would be important to see she went through it.
May 21, 2018
Very good book. Helped reading it since Ive been feeling down since surgery. I realized that it don’t have it to bad. What a amazing and inspiring story.
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January 27, 2020Because this book is a memoir of her journey through Guillian-Barre Syndrome, I can not rate this book because that would unfair to this young woman.
January 11, 2021
Not the greatest read for a hypochondriac but it is a hell of a survival story.
June 20, 2021
Great true story!
Boy, this young woman, went through a difficult time! Thank God for a loving husband and very supportive family! Great book!
Boy, this young woman, went through a difficult time! Thank God for a loving husband and very supportive family! Great book!
October 21, 2021
Very well written book ! While I was excited to read about her journey , I was sad when I looked her up and saw there wasn't a happily ever after ! I just hope she is happy
August 27, 2022
Excellent read. Lived how she told & wrote her story. Reading what she went thru is encouraging & makes u appreciate the health we have.
February 23, 2018
Great book! Wonderfully written & see inspiring! So glad she overcame the difficulties! Highly recommend! Must read!
December 28, 2014
Thought Holly did a great job of taking you on her day to day experiences and challenges that she faced when first dealing with GBS. She was at the happiest time in her life being a newlywed and bringing home her first child until the worst thing you could imagine happens. I would highly recommend reading her book even if you don't know what GBS is, the journey she takes you on shows you how to tackle life on day-to-day basis. And to appreciate all the little things in life will help give you the strength and willpower to accomplish anything you set your mind too.
On a side note, I grew up in the same small town and knew of Holly before (wasn't friends with her, was a little bit younger than her) but being able to 'experience' the journey she took to get herself back to the certain aspects of life that we take for granted definitely has given me a high level of respect for her. Thank you for sharing your journey with the world, and for being the strong willed gal you are Holly; you have made some amazing milestones.
On a side note, I grew up in the same small town and knew of Holly before (wasn't friends with her, was a little bit younger than her) but being able to 'experience' the journey she took to get herself back to the certain aspects of life that we take for granted definitely has given me a high level of respect for her. Thank you for sharing your journey with the world, and for being the strong willed gal you are Holly; you have made some amazing milestones.
July 6, 2013
Badly in need of an editor. That aside, I doubt many people would read this book unless they knew someone with the disease. That's why I read it. My sister had the illness about 25 years ago and suffered to a lesser degree than the author Holly. Informative, sad, distressing, and inspiring. Good luck to Holly and her fmaily in the future.
March 27, 2016
Such an inspiration!
This was such a well written book and so very informative and inspirational. All nurses should read this, as well as those going through it or know anyone who is.
This was such a well written book and so very informative and inspirational. All nurses should read this, as well as those going through it or know anyone who is.
June 26, 2016
Not sure what I was expecting but this was more of a journal of her daily life with GBS. I guess I thought it was going to be more of "where my inspiration came from" or "how I got my life back" vs "day #: this is what happened". Wasn't bad just not what I thought it would be.
January 24, 2015
Simply mind boggling what this woman went through during her experience with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Makes me so thankful for my health.
October 29, 2015
Inspiring
What an amazing will she has. Holly worked so incredibly had. An inspiration to everyone! Excellent book. Everyone should read her story.
What an amazing will she has. Holly worked so incredibly had. An inspiration to everyone! Excellent book. Everyone should read her story.
February 10, 2016
What the poor woman went through I cant even begin to imagine, esp as she had just had a baby not three weeks before. Amazing story of a fight back to health and amazing courage.
July 18, 2016
I did not care for her writing but the story behind it was inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews