Handbooks

“After a Stroke: 500 Tips for Living Well”
by Cleo Hutton
While Hutton had a stroke, this book is not about her experience, but rather is a handbook for stroke survivors to get the most out of his or her recovery. This account addresses topics such as adaptations, emotions, personal care, spasticity, self-esteem, stroke prevention, and many other things. Hutton’s guidebook is one of the most comprehensive accounts that I have read to date.

“Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissection”
by Dr. Jodi A. Dodds
Many young stroke survivors have Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissections, and this book explores those topics. Discussing issues such as pain, this book may help people who experience effects from a dissection.

“Healing & Happiness After Stroke”
by Kari Dahlgren
This “self-help” book is about discovering a positive outlook after a stroke. Filled with charts and exercises, the reader can adapt this account to meet his or her individual needs. This book deals with aspects such as building a survivor’s self-esteem or finding a new identity.

“Healing the Broken Brain”
by Dr. Mike Dow and David Dow
David Dow is a childhood stroke survivor who had a stroke at the age of 10 years old; Dr. Mike Dow is a psychotherapist who frequently appears on television, and for example, The Dr. Oz Show. This medical handbook of sorts gives answers to 100 questions about stroke recovery, such as many therapy questions and discussions on the health of a stroke survivor.

“Living with Stroke”
by Richard C. Senelick
The author works for HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute of San Antonio, so HealthSouth is discussed in this account. This guidance book is designed for families, addressing, among other things, different types of strokes, medications, therapies, and emotional issues.

“Rewire Your Brain, Rewire Your Life”
by Bob Guns
While Bob Guns had a stroke, this book is unique in that it not only provides numerous stroke survivor accounts, but also is a handbook. Additionally, this account provides stories from caregivers. The final section serves as an outline of sorts for stroke recovery.

“Stronger after Stroke”
by Peter G. Levine
This handbook emphasizes that unique or different therapies may be useful for the survivor, such as the therapeutic value of things such as Mirror Therapy, the use of a treadmill, and Virtual Reality games.

“The Stroke Book”
by June Biermann and Barbara Toohey
This book discusses stroke from two perspectives: (1) June is a stroke survivor; and (2) Barbara is her caregiver. June had two separate strokes, and this book discusses both of these experiences. This book reads like a handbook but also is a personal account, thereby creating a unique addition to stroke literature.