Medical Ailments and Brain Conditions

“Always Looking Up”
by Michael J. Fox
This account chronicles how a young person deals with the career changes, family complications, and life struggles of Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”). Fox addresses four major themes: work perseverance, discovering his faith, stem cell research advocacy, and his family life as a husband and father of four children with PD. His optimism and positive outlook on life is seemingly contagious.

"The Answer Is"
by Alex Trebek
Utilizing the structure of the television show Jeopardy!, Trebek offers answers to various aspects of his life, ranging from his early childhood, his family, and his career. Especially revealing is his 2019 diagnosis, and subsequent public reveal, of his Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Additionally, this account provides a glimpse into the personalities and logistics of Jeopardy!

“Be Brave in the Scared”
by Mary Lenaburg
Lenaburg’s daughter was severely disabled, and she was vulnerable in sharing about how her marriage, self-image, and family life were seriously challenged as a result of her relentless devotion to her daughter. In this process, she relies heavily upon her Christian faith. She provides us with ways to trust in God, discovers unexpected avenues of joy, and embraces hope even through adversity.

“Brain on Fire”
by Susannah Cahalan
When Cahalan was 24 years old, she suffered from a rare auto-immune disease called anti-NDMA receptor encephalitis. This fatal disease claims many lives, largely because it is misdiagnosed. Cahalan speaks about what it is like to be trapped within her own body, and this account was made into a movie in June of 2018.

“Crippled Grace”
by Shane Clifton
This well-documented, sophisticated book discusses how disabled people can ultimately lead fulfilling, hopeful, and spiritual lives. Clifton, a quadriplegic himself, explores the irony in how some disabled people call themselves “cripples,” but also how they also discover grace and acceptance throughout this process. In this account, he addresses topics such as “The Disability Paradox,” how the Bible addresses people with disabilities, and how disabled people are considered asexual in society.

“David and Goliath”
by Malcolm Gladwell
This powerful book is written from a perspective that the “underdog” is actually better off than most people believe. From discussions on Civil Rights activists, college graduates, dyslexics, war veterans, and various others, this book challenges the attitude that the misfit is disadvantaged.

“Finding My Voice”
by Diane Rehm
This autobiographical account discusses how Diane Rehm, a major personality in public radio, developed her passion for broadcasting. Ironically, the woman who relied upon her voice to reach thousands of people dealt with vocal tremors caused by spasmodic dysphonia. Rehm takes the reader on a quest to regain – and ultimately discover – her means of expression.

“Finish First”
by Scott Hamilton
Hamilton, the famous ice skater who won the Gold Medal in the 1984 Olympics, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997. This book discusses his attitude regarding his diagnosis, the value of competition, and why ice skating serves as his solace through despair in his life. More information can be found at the following website: https://www.scottcares.org/.

“I’ll Carry the Fork”
by Kara Swanson
In 1996, a car accident changed Kara Swanson’s life. With humor, a positive attitude, and a strong support system, Swanson persevered through her Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”). This book is not only witty, but also provides information and tips to those living with TBI.

"In An Instant"
by Lee and Bob Woodruff
In 2006, Bob Woodruff was named the co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, and he experienced a massive brain injury from an improvised explosive device ("IED") while he was reporting in Iraq. This book discusses the impact of a traumatic brain injury from both of their perspectives. Even though there are numerous other experiences that are discussed within this book, the situation involving the IED actually exploding is particularly gripping.

“In This Together”
by Ann Romney
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (“MS”), Romney could have simply given up. Relying upon her family, friends, and her faith, she persevered through the pain and tried unconventional means of therapy such as horseback riding. She discusses how she even carried the Olympic torch in 2002, and how she established “the Ann Romney Center” foundation for several ailments, including MS.

"The Gift of Peace"
by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin
In this page-turning account, Cardinal Bernardin addresses his treatments and impending death from pancreatic cancer. He offers numerous meditations, biblical references, and prayers to, in part, assist the reader in coping with his or her suffering. Particularly poignant is his encounter -- and ultimate forgiveness -- with the man who falsely accused him of sexual misconduct.

“Keep Going”
by Sarah Christy
This autobiographical account is about Christy’s journey, including discussions about adopting children who are a different race in rural Illinois, and how her son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (“CF”) as a child. She discusses the origins of CF camp, and these efforts ultimately led to the Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camps.

“The Last Lecture”
by Randy Pausch
This account is written by a professor who is dying of pancreatic cancer. He presented a final lecture to his students, and this book provides insights that he gave during his “Last Lecture,” as well as some additional thought-provoking material. Although he was going to pass away in months after writing this account, it is applicable to all of us living with any suffering today. More information can be found at the following website: https://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/.  

“Left Neglect”
by Lisa Genova
Genova is an author writing about a fictitious event, but it is so well researched and authentic that it feels autobiographical. This incredible writer tackles a story about a young woman who experiences “Left Neglect” from a TBI caused by a car accident. Her marriage, her parenting style, and her career trajectory are arguably for the better after the event. This page-turning account explores the unexpressed benefits of a TBI. 

“Living as a Dead Man”
by Jeff Lester
Lester was 26 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Defying the odds, he lived well beyond what doctors told him was his life expectancy. In fact, he even got married and had numerous children after he was diagnosed with ALS. He describes an exceptionally gripping encounter with an insensitive nurse. His faith-filled account demonstrates that a people can accomplish many things that doctors do not expect them to do with a medical condition.

"Metamorphosis, Surviving Brain Injury"
by David A. Grant
In 2010, Grant was traveling on his bicycle when he was struck by a vehicle traveling at a relatively fast speed. He describes returning to his marriage, working, and his life with a traumatic brain injury caused by the accident. His encounter with the teenager who caused Grant's injury is insightful for all of us as it ultimately deals with his forgiveness. This well-written book chronicles his struggles and acceptance of his new reality.

“The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind”
by Barbara Lipska
Lipska provides a unique glimpse into the thoughts of an athletic neuroscientist who experienced cognitive deficits resulting from a melanoma that spread to her brain. Importantly, this account demonstrates that hope can prevail in times of great sickness as she was essentially cured by immunotherapy treatments.   

“On Fire”
by John O’Leary
O’Leary was 9 years old when a house fire burned 100% of his body. He discusses the many challenges he faced, including how he thrived by losing all of his fingers. Married and a father of four children, he demonstrates that it is possible to overcome obstacles and live life fully in the present. More information can be found at the following website: http://johnolearyinspires.com/. 

"The Phoenix Rising"
by Helen Ross Lee
In 2008, Lee, an Australian nurse and mother, experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury ("TBI") from a hang gliding accident. She candidly discusses living with a TBI, such as loss of taste, fatigue issues, and memory problems.

“Spring Break”
by Stephen “Ben” Benvenisti
During a spring break trip to Florida, Benvenisti was hit as a pedestrian by a drunk driver, and he suffered gruesome and painful injuries. When he was recovering, he promised God that if he made a full recovery, he would help people avoid similar situations. Now, he is a personal injury attorney in New Jersey and sits on the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) board of directors. He also speaks publicly, especially to high school students, regarding the dangers of drunk driving.

“Still Me”
by Christopher Reeve
The Julliard-trained actor famous for being Superman was paralyzed from a horseback riding accident in his early forties. This account goes into vivid detail about some of Hollywood’s personalities: Robin Williams, Glenn Close, and Katharine Hepburn. A father of a young boy, he learned how to parent differently from a wheelchair. Reeve found advocacy and directing after his paralysis, proving that someone can discover new passions following a medical event. 

“Suffering is Never for Nothing”
by Elisabeth Elliot
Elliot was no stranger to suffering: her first husband was murdered in Ecuador as a missionary, and her second husband lost his battle with cancer. Turning to the Bible for healing, Elliot presents us with spiritual tools to address the suffering in our own lives. This deeply religious account is thought-provoking and arguably unites all of humanity in the universal struggle against evil. 

“When God Doesn’t Fix It”
by Laura Story
Story’s husband suffered from a significant brain tumor, causing a desire in her to rely upon her community, and ultimately, upon God. This inherently religious account underscores how God can reveal different callings in our struggles. Story became a worship leader at her church, and she recorded many successful songs, such as “Blessings,” that have helped people to grieve their seemingly insurmountable losses.

“Wonder”
by R.J. Palacio
August Pullman, a boy with a deformed face, encounters bullying, perceptions, and much adversity by his classmates. This gripping novel describes what it is like to be considered “different” in a world of conformity. The perspective shifts among characters as each chapter in the book is written from a different point of view. This book was made into a major motion picture in 2017.