EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Greetings. My sister (age 65) suffered a stroke in March 2020 while alone in her flat and wasn't discovered for at least 2 days. After 2 months in two Brisbane area hospitals she was transferred to a nursing home in our small town in SE Qld in late May. There is no movement on her right side and she requires assistance of two staff for most activities. Speech is good, although recalling words is a frustration. While she is very keen to participate in her rehabilitation the options are currently limited by COVID-19 restrictions - we're navigating that at present. Sis is an avid reader and has been given a few books related to stroke by friends - I am not sure how authoritative those are.

The main reason for the post is to request advice and recommendations on books or publications that have been helpful to others, survivors and family. Her main focus is expectations and options for improvement.

Thank you.

Hi Brendan,

There are many books, one of my personal favourites is Emma Gee's 'reinventing Emma'.

Other people will have their own personal favourites. Many people have also shared their stroke experiences in blogs. Which you will find here.

Also, has your sister listened to the EnableMe podcasts?

Hi Brendan

We are lucky in the stroke community that there are so many fantastic books written from so many different perspectives. The StrokeLine top ten are here: https://enableme.org.au/Users/Profile/My-Blogs/View-Blog?blogId=305e15ab-9413-4141-bea4-c20ef78aa0da

Talking to people on StrokeLine, the books that seem to have the most impact on people are the top 2 on the list - The Brain that Changes Itself and Stronger After Stroke.

My favourite, apart from our own Emma Gee's book of course, is Falling and laughing: the restoration of Edwyn Collins by Grace Maxwell. Such a beautiful and well written book!

With kind regards, Jude

Hi Brendan,

Here are some more suggestions from the Facebook community:

Emma Laundess Not a book sorry(I struggle with reading because of my stroke), but I recommend a film called my broken brain Brain (Netflix). All the best on your recovery journey

Angela Bloom I enjoyed the TED talk by Jill Bolte-Taylor
I watched the TED talk

From there I bought her book. Then the Norman Doidge book - The brain that changes itself which you can buy online from a lot of book sellers.

Ros Cashen My stroke of insight by Jill Bolte Taylor. It's a great book I read it after my first stroke and found it very helpful.

Vanessa Jenkins The Brain that Changes Itself , neuro plasticity and recovery 👌

Lisa Stendell The brain that changes itself by Norman Doidge

Shelagh Brennand Good recommendations of the two above. Also:
. Peter Coghlan - In the blink of an eye
. Emma Gee - Reinventing Emma
. A Stroke of Poetry is my own book of poetry about my own rehab after my stroke 7 years ago. PM me for more info.
The Stroke Foundation have lots of great resources and podcasts available too. Best of luck. Shelagh

There looks to be a consensus about a number of books. I hope the suggestions help.

There's a recent book out called, 'My Lucky Stroke' by Sarah Brooker that is great.

And of course 'Reinventing Emma' by Emma Gee, and already mentioned above.

A couple of movies that have been great:

My Beautiful Broken Brain (Netflix)

The Diving and the Butterfly (SBS On Demand)

Wow, The Movies you recommend are really good!.

Hi everyone, thank you for all the great book recommendations - we're waiting on the postman! We've also arranged a tablet for my sister to access podcasts and the movie, and a user login for this site. Although she always avoided tablets and smartphones before the stroke, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Thanks again.

Hi Brendan,

Once your sister receives her tablet, point her in the direction of the podcasts in EnableMe here.

Reading recommendations

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