Surviving Stroke: The Story of a Neurologist and His Family

by Helen Kennerley, Udo Kischka

In October 2016, Udo Kischka suffered a severe stroke. A large intra-cerebral bleed, a bleed deep in the right side of his brain. He was not a typical stroke Professor Kischka was a neurologist and specialist in stroke rehabilitation. Like all stroke patients, he embarked on a journey of recovery. In his case, it was a re-education in his field of expertise. When he uttered the words, 'This is a life changing event' to his wife a few hours after the stroke, he had no idea just how life changing it would be or that there would be still be a good life to be had. Written by experts on both sides of the fence - a stroke victim who is a stroke specialist, and a psychologist who helps others and now has to help herself and her family - this is a personal and brutally honest story of a family's survival. This accessible and relatable book provides insight and realistic hope about what might lie ahead following a stroke, as well as offering both practical and emotional support.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2020

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by Clinical Psychologists in the Therapy team supporting me after I experienced a “dense” Ischaemic brain-stem and Thalamic stroke in September 2022. For me the transition from a role as a Social Worker with responsibility for supporting people to find ways to achieve some form of transformation in their lives to the role as someone needing to draw on health and social care services was hard and challenging so reading how a stroke specialist and his family had travelled that same life - changing journey was very important and grounding for me. As I read the book I found many events and challenges that I recognised, helping me on my journey of acceptance that I could move forward from a place of loss and devastation by applying myself to the rehabilitation process and awareness that others had travelled this same journey and could offer some suggestions and ideas for the way forward. A very honest and straightforward story of human endeavour and resilience! A valuable and educative read for survivors, supporting families, friends and anyone who wants to understand stroke.

[Patrick McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really insightful book, revealing the struggles of stroke and recovery itself, and the effect it can have on family and friends.
Some great pointers to incorporate into your life if, like me, you have had a stroke. I found this book to be very thought provoking. I too, am recovering from a stroke and trying to get my life back on track. Aiming to get back to college soon. A long road to recovery, but recovery is possible, life may or may not be how it was before. I enjoyed this book.

[rebecca peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful read

A very thought provoking and insightful account from different family perspectives. It has definitely deepened my understanding of the impact of stroke.
Highly recommended for those affected by stroke and health care professionals.

[Elaine Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for survivors and their families

It was comforting to read that someone else was going through the same thoughts and feelings during recovery also explains things in simple terms

[Claire]

DNF cuz it’s due at the lib and I am too lazy to renew it