MY STROKE OF INSIGHT

Dr Taylor had a rare kind of stroke at the age of 37. She was/is a brain scientist and explains her personal journey while losing most of the use of the left hemisphere of her brain, and how she managed to regain it with much help. While bereft, and therefore relying almost entirely on the right hemisphere, she experienced, amongst other things, a blissful state which she equates with nirvana, an inexpressible feeling that All is One. This sustains her in her ongoing life knowing that a deep internal peace is always available.

For those not familiar with neuroanatomy, two chapters put the reader briefly in the picture so that the experiences she describes are in context. The book is easy to read, and slight in size, but fulsome in meaning. There is a certain amount of repetition, so it could have been slighter.

I understand that SMN members saw a brief video about this journey at a recent A.G.M, but for those who were not present, or even for those who were, I recommend a read of this book, for two main reasons: 1. For the insight (as in the title) it gives into right brain experience and 2. Because it offers a greater understanding about what people who have had a stroke need to minimise their suffering and also to improve their chances of recovering full function. Its an inspiring and enlightening story.