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The Other Side of Us: A Memoir of Trauma, Truth, and Transformation
“A real life example of the power of positivity and perseverance.” – Kabir Sehgal, NY Times Best-Selling Author, Deepak Chopra, MD
In this intimate portrait, Molly Weisgram describes her personal experience as caregiver, wife, and mother amidst sudden illness. On Valentine’s Day, Chris Maxwell, Molly’s husband and father of their four young children, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a severe case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Chris was immediately airlifted to the hospital, where he became a quadriplegic on a ventilator in less than a week.
Without any warning, Molly and Chris embarked on a dangerous journey—one they traveled together but separately, forced into the roles of patient and caregiver. During their shattering year-long experience, they faced uncertainty, trauma, and incomprehensible mystery. They also experienced deep truth, growth, and transformation.
“Each of us is forced to take on our adversity and make it into our opportunity. Healing from the impossible, inspires all of us to exit our personal pity party and go on to be healed, healthy, and massively productive. Molly and Chris’s story will inspire and encourage you at the depth of your soul. Happy reading!” – Mark Victor Hansen, Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul
“You will be laughing, crying, searching your soul, and looking for your center. Inspirational!” — Linda Daugaard, First Lady of South Dakota
"Let this story change you. This book is full of honesty and heartache but also gratitude—a must read."— Diane Ulmer, Occupational Therapist
"Provides a first-hand perspective of a family going through a prolonged medical journey, proving that with insight, wisdom and humor, one can not only survive but thrive during even the most challenging of circumstances." — Dr. Adam Kafka, MD
“A devoted couple, a young family, a life-threatening illness. A story of fear, hope and most of all love. A great read. I recommend it highly.” —James Abbott, President Emeritus, the University of South Dakota
In this intimate portrait, Molly Weisgram describes her personal experience as caregiver, wife, and mother amidst sudden illness. On Valentine’s Day, Chris Maxwell, Molly’s husband and father of their four young children, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a severe case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Chris was immediately airlifted to the hospital, where he became a quadriplegic on a ventilator in less than a week.
Without any warning, Molly and Chris embarked on a dangerous journey—one they traveled together but separately, forced into the roles of patient and caregiver. During their shattering year-long experience, they faced uncertainty, trauma, and incomprehensible mystery. They also experienced deep truth, growth, and transformation.
“Each of us is forced to take on our adversity and make it into our opportunity. Healing from the impossible, inspires all of us to exit our personal pity party and go on to be healed, healthy, and massively productive. Molly and Chris’s story will inspire and encourage you at the depth of your soul. Happy reading!” – Mark Victor Hansen, Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul
“You will be laughing, crying, searching your soul, and looking for your center. Inspirational!” — Linda Daugaard, First Lady of South Dakota
"Let this story change you. This book is full of honesty and heartache but also gratitude—a must read."— Diane Ulmer, Occupational Therapist
"Provides a first-hand perspective of a family going through a prolonged medical journey, proving that with insight, wisdom and humor, one can not only survive but thrive during even the most challenging of circumstances." — Dr. Adam Kafka, MD
“A devoted couple, a young family, a life-threatening illness. A story of fear, hope and most of all love. A great read. I recommend it highly.” —James Abbott, President Emeritus, the University of South Dakota
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2021
17 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 20, 2023
When you're walking through the valley, don't pitch a tent. 💛
April 30, 2021
A true story of a family who had to rise up against the unknown and come out on the other side.
All I can say is Wow! This was something I wanted to purchase because I knew the author was a friend of a friend and I wanted to support her efforts. Little did I know this story was going to take me on such an emotional ride. Yes, it helps that I actually know many of the names that appear in the book, but Molly writes in such a beautiful and captivating way that I found myself totally caught up in her words. I thought about my own family and how we would have managed in a situation like this. I thought about myself. I thought about my faith. Kudos to you, Molly. God bless you and yours.
All I can say is Wow! This was something I wanted to purchase because I knew the author was a friend of a friend and I wanted to support her efforts. Little did I know this story was going to take me on such an emotional ride. Yes, it helps that I actually know many of the names that appear in the book, but Molly writes in such a beautiful and captivating way that I found myself totally caught up in her words. I thought about my own family and how we would have managed in a situation like this. I thought about myself. I thought about my faith. Kudos to you, Molly. God bless you and yours.
April 5, 2021
A beautifully written story of the trials and truths of dealing with a serious medical issue from the perspective of the spouse as she navigates caring for her ailing husband, her 4 small children, her well intentioned mother in law, and the hundreds in her community that want to help.
Written so honestly and with such vulnerability that any reader can learn how to be a better human from their journey.
Written so honestly and with such vulnerability that any reader can learn how to be a better human from their journey.
March 6, 2022
So much more than just a story...
It's hard to condense into a short review how good this book is. So much more than just a moving and awesome story, which it is. I took away so many learnings that digesting it all will take some time. But totally worth it. Read this book. Fasten your seat belt, enter their experience. Be the better for it. I am.
It's hard to condense into a short review how good this book is. So much more than just a moving and awesome story, which it is. I took away so many learnings that digesting it all will take some time. But totally worth it. Read this book. Fasten your seat belt, enter their experience. Be the better for it. I am.
July 6, 2022
The wife of a guy my mother-in-law has worked with wrote a book! And their story is nuts! But so inspiring.
“There is always going to be negativity around us, but we get to choose how we enter every situation. We can choose to be a positive, proactive force in the world. Or we can choose the opposite.”
“There is always going to be negativity around us, but we get to choose how we enter every situation. We can choose to be a positive, proactive force in the world. Or we can choose the opposite.”
April 20, 2021
A story of two exceptional people who were handed a bag of rotten lemons and turned them into an drink that refreshes your spirit.
An inspiring story of love, faith, and perseverance. Molly lets you feel the emotional ups and downs in the journey to recovery.
An inspiring story of love, faith, and perseverance. Molly lets you feel the emotional ups and downs in the journey to recovery.
March 27, 2022
A powerful and vulnerable memoir of trauma, grief, and healing. What a testament to the human experience and the power of our connections to others. Thank you, Molly, for your words and for sharing your family with us. I am inspired and grateful.
September 1, 2023
Good
I don't regret this book purchase and I learned more about Guillain Barre Syndrome but I do wish things had moved a little faater. There were times the story seemed to drag but maybe that was intentional -- a literal example of recovery from this illness!
I don't regret this book purchase and I learned more about Guillain Barre Syndrome but I do wish things had moved a little faater. There were times the story seemed to drag but maybe that was intentional -- a literal example of recovery from this illness!
February 9, 2022
Beautiful memoir
A compelling book for anyone to read. This incredible story is a love story in itself. Molly writes from the heart and shares every bittersweet experience.
A compelling book for anyone to read. This incredible story is a love story in itself. Molly writes from the heart and shares every bittersweet experience.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews