Taylor, Jill Bolte ISBN 978-0-670-02074-4
Published by Viking in 2008
In Short: A neuroscientist brings the reader along on a memoir of her own stroke and recovery.
In some ways, patients with suspected strokes are incredibly challenging to me. This is particularly true when communication is difficult. Jill Bolte Taylor takes time in this recounting of her own stroke to emphasize the comfort provided by an EMT that spoke softly, confidently, and continuously without any feedback from her. She heard every word, but was unable to respond and needed the input from this EMT to help her confused and oxygen starved brain make sense of what was happening.
As a neuroscientist, Taylor is able to tell her story in a unique and detailed manner. She also tells the story as if she is writing a journal about a recent trip abroad. Its eerie, but fascinating. A combination of prescient knowledge, coincident observation and retrospective reflection is woven into a story that gets to the heart of the patient experience.
Remember, you are heard sometimes when it doesn't seem you are. Remember that the little things matter. A hand on a shoulder, a reassuring voice, eye contact. It matters.
As a neuroscientist, Taylor is able to tell her story in a unique and detailed manner. She also tells the story as if she is writing a journal about a recent trip abroad. Its eerie, but fascinating. A combination of prescient knowledge, coincident observation and retrospective reflection is woven into a story that gets to the heart of the patient experience.
Remember, you are heard sometimes when it doesn't seem you are. Remember that the little things matter. A hand on a shoulder, a reassuring voice, eye contact. It matters.
