"My Stroke of Insight"- a Review

My Stroke of Insight"My Stroke of Insight" has been hot on the NYT best-seller list for a while. The story, in case you are somehow not familiar, is the all-too-true (and ironic) tale of Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-educated brain researcher who had a major stroke, and was not only cognizant enough during the stroke to write about her feelings during the stroke, but to write about them in the context of her life as a brain researcher.

Her first-hand description of the stroke is the only first-hand account that I've read actually detailing what happens during a stroke. She writes about it slowly dawning upon her what is happening, but then not having the ability to think about how to call for help. She couldn't, for example, remember how to dial 9-1-1 because she had no concept of 9-1-1. She stumbles upon her work and doctor's number, but has limited speech in which to detail her situation. Throughout the book, Jill also explains which brain functions are responsible for what types of thought. During her stroke she lost a large part of her left brain functioning, which is responsible for logical thinking and organization. Meanwhile, her right brain was taking over and was offering her silence and peace for the first time. (She later equates this to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana and believes that tapping into the right brain is necessary for reaching that state of peace.)

Jill's recovery takes 8-years and total dedication on her part. WIth the support of her mother, she re-learns many of things she had already learned in early childhood including putting puzzles together, thinking differently, and walking on different surfaces.

Though her story is very inspirational and provides concrete advice to those wishing to help stroke or brain-injury victims recover full-functioning of their brains through neuro-plasticity (the ability of the brain to continue learning and re-learning), she is so effusive in some parts about her bodily-functions that it is a little hard for me to take.  An example: "When my bowels move, I cheer my cells for clearning that waste out of my body." All I have to say to that is TMI (too much information.)

On the other hand, Jill's list of  "Forty Things I Needed Most" (immediately following the stroke) is a useful guide to anyone who might have a stroke victim in their family to care for.

To watch Jill speak about her "Stroke of Insight" on Ted, please follow this link.