Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities

By Sharon E Smith and Sharon E. Smith

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1884707947
• ISBN13: 9781884707940
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Lifestyles Press
• Length: 157 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A most illuminating and practical book

Sharon's book provides a wonderful set of insights for people who have either suffered themselves from disabling injury or have a friend or loved one who has. Indeed it addresses in illuminating detail areas of human trial which most of us never face. By doing so, we come away better equipped to hone our interfacing skills with the disabled person and are thereby able to extend true compassion and assistance toward them. The disabled person reading the book will recognize the many frustrating aspects any disability incurs but particularly if the disability is not apparent to the casual observer. Beyond that, Sharon provides the victim of disabling injury with positive ideas and action plans to deal with and overcome these frustrations. She does this with skill and wit.Sharon begins the book with a moving account of her accident and traces step by step the profound ways it changed her life. It is a compelling story that the reader will find difficult to put down. The book is a vessel of hope, encouragement and honesty and a very easy read. Sharon faces her ordeal with courage and openess providing inspiration to us all. One becomes aware of how her qualities of character have served her well since the injury -- especially her kindness, thoughtfulness and patience toward those she meets along the way including the insensitive ones. Now she shares her unique perspective for overcoming the anger, hurt and frustration and getting on with life in a hopeful and productive manner.

A great memoir of coping with chronic illness

Having read and reviewed many books on chronic illness, I found this one especially refreshing. The author shares through her own personal experience how to recover and cope with a chronic illness or disability. Although the author's problem deals with inner ear and balance problems, the books is applicable across many different health problems and disorders. I found the chapters on Finances, Spirituality, Filling Time and Sex and Body Image very insightful and very often missing from typical guides. These chapters alone make this book worthwhile for anyone dealing with chronic illness, disability, or health disorders.

A much-needed look at an often-ignored medical topic

I very much recommend "Invisible Illnesses." Too often, I think health and recovery books are written by practioners, and so have an extremely limited (and frequently, somewhat patronizing) point-of-view. There just aren't enough books written from patients' perspectives, and so, this book is a welcome find. It's full of lots of practical strategies for dealing with any sort of complicated and frustrating medical diagnosis. It also--impressively so, considering that the author is recovering from a truly horrific accident--has a strong sense of hope. As someone attempting to rehabilitate from a probably-permanently disabling injury herself, it's refreshing to me to read a book that not only is very honest--but also presents a "yes, you actually can survive terrible, life-altering events" attitude.This book is a great choice for anyone suffering from a chronic illness, injury, disability, and/or other daunting life challenge.

A valuable guide for parents or friends of the invisibly ill

Sharon tells us, in plain English, what it is like to be afflicted with an invisible illness. More importantly, she provides a basic guide for those of us who must treat or cope with the inner turmoil experienced by such people. Sharon's illness, while totally different from my son's severe AD/HD condition, manifests itself in many of the same ways. I truly believe that reading her book has made me a better parent.I highly recommend Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities to all who wish to improve their understanding of the people around them.

An Outstanding Book!

Having read and reviewed many books on chronic illness, I found this one especially refreshing. The author shares through her own personal experience how to recover and cope with a chronic illness or disability. Although the author's problem deals with inner ear and balance problems, the books is applicable across many different health problems and disorders. I found the chapters on Finances, Spirituality, Filling Time and Sex and Body Image very insightful and very often missing from typical guides. These chapters alone make this book worthwhile for anyone dealing with chronic illness, disability, or health disorders.