Unwillable: A Journey to Reclaim My Brain

by Jackie M. Stebbins

When Jackie M. Stebbins had reached the pinnacle of success as a young trial lawyer, she desperately tried to hide her anxiety and depression. But her shaking hands, endless insomnia, and white noise in her ears told her it was she had burned herself out. After she pleaded to be committed to a psychiatric ward, her world went black. She awoke a month later to learn that she had a rare and debilitating brain illness that stole her career and nearly ended her life. The twists and turns of her journey to a diagnosis, recovery, and new life takes readers on an emotional and psychedelic rollercoaster ride. You will feel her terror and devastation and be moved by her will and hope. Unwillable makes you laugh, cry, and cheer for Jackie in this fast-paced story of a woman whose persistence burdened her, but also equipped her to survive.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. To read what this woman went through is heartbreaking. This is a must read.

[Mariah Botha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh, cry, and empathize. I find it incredible that Jackie and her family went through such a devastating time, yet they are still some of the most positive, amazing people I have ever met.
Jackie is brilliant, witty, and an inspiration to all. I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat wondering how could she possibly survive, recover, and rebuild her life from this. I silently cheered her on during the entire book.
If you have not read her book, do it. Now.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwillable is the story of a wife, mother, and trial lawyer’s unimaginable journey with autoimmune encephalitis. Jackie’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, highlighting the importance of support, introspection, and self advocacy. Hard to put down, and even harder to imagine living, Unwillable raises awareness not only of autoimmune encephalitis, but of how it feels for you entire world to become completely unable to understand what you are going through. Unwillable is open, honest, and beautifully written.

[Jonathan O'Konek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous and Inspiring. These two words best describe the author's incredible and life-changing journey. A great book makes you think and reflect. This book makes you do both. The author spares no detail in describing her metamorphic struggle, making you feel as if you are right alongside her as she describes each and every event. Importantly, this story highlights the importance of family, health, and being grateful for what we have each and every day. By the end of the journey, you will feel inspired to overcome any challenge.

[Tracee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving account of what the author went through with her rare autoimmune disease. Having a loved one go through a brain tumor diagnosis, this book brought back many memories for me. It is hard to see your loved ones go through something so traumatic and feel so helpless. It was interesting to read about what she was feeling as she was going through all of that. I'm glad that she survived and is in remission.

[Brent Slipka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend the book “Unwillable: A Journey to Reclaim My Brain” by Jackie M. Stebbins. Her experience is an example of how bad things happen to good people, and the ramifications can be devastating (especially when the hardship is ongoing and perpetual). However, courage, faith, and perseverance can see us through any loss or ongoing challenge, giving us hope for brighter days, as Jackie thoughtfully demonstrates in her book! 👏🏻

[Miranda Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book about a hard-working, driven young lawyer/mom who really had it all until she fell ill from a rare autoimmune disorder called autoimmune encephalitis. The book covers her descent into her sickness, the process she went through to get a diagnosis and her recovery.

It's raw, terrifying yet so inspiring and in this case there is a happy ending. I couldn't put it down!

[Tara Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously this book was AMAZING! it was a tough read but such a great recollection of autoimmune encephalitis. What a terrible disease to live through! Jackie is the a hero!

[Kayla Benz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!

Loved this book! As a medical professional, this gave me a better understanding of encephalitis- especially from the “patient’s” point of view. Everything Jackie endured shows her strength and resilience. Highly recommend this read to help spread awareness and understanding of this horrible diagnosis.

[Megan Dyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author’s journey with autoimmune encephalitis is real and harrowing, yet this memoir focuses heavily on the suffering she endured, with little reflection or growth. For other readers, it may come across as inspiring, but having experienced autoimmune encephalitis myself, I found it repetitive, overwhelmingly negative, and offering minimal encouragement or insight. I had hoped for a story of resilience or perspective for those going through hardships, but for me, it felt like a chronicle of pain that was hard to connect with.