NEWS RELEASE FROM:
Madonna Siles
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Madonna@AlternativeCaregiving.com
For Immediate Release
BRAIN, HEAL THYSELF OFFERS A CAREGIVER’S NEW APPROACH TO
RECOVERY FROM STROKE, BRAIN ANEURYSM AND BRAIN INJURY
Brain, Heal Thyself (Hampton Roads, June 2006) offers an alternative approach to at-home caregiving of stroke, brain aneurysm and traumatic brain injury (T.B.I.). Written in memoir style by Madonna Siles, a caregiver, the book includes commentary by Lawrence J. Beuret, MD, on why her unique approach to brain rehabilitation can be applied to many at-home caregiving situations.
Brain, Heal Thyself tracks the recovery of the author’s friend, Eve, from a near-fatal brain aneurysm (i.e., cerebral hemorrhage or stroke) in 2001, through hospitals, a nursing home, and in-patient/out-patient rehabilitation programs, until Eve’s insurance runs outs and she’s back home—still the shell of a functioning human being. In desperation, Siles developed her unique daily rehabilitation approach drawing on any and every aspect of “motivational” brain healing that she knew, including subconscious communication methods, 12-step program practices, and the emotional, motivational techniques used in advertising.
The author believes she may have serendipitously developed the first holistic approach to rehabilitating the mind, body and spirit of brain injury/disease survivors that also helps the caregiver cope with crisis, boredom and frustration in the process.
Because every stroke (and brain injury) is different, most self-help websites and books qualify their instructions on how to fix the survivor with a statement such as, “Your case may be different”. Most suggest that caregivers discuss their specific problems with their health care professional, as if one is always waiting for a distraught caregiver’s phone call and is willing or able to give a straight answer. Even phrasing the question correctly sometimes requires an advanced medical degree for the caregiver who is faced with a multitude of disabilities, (i.e. physical paralysis, cognitive chaos, psychological/emotional distress, personal care or simple daily survival issues.)
Brain, Heal Thyself provides caregivers with a unique, easy-to-learn approach to this overwhelming set of problems on a daily basis. It switches the focus from “fixing the problem” to creating a calm yet energizing environment where common sense rules and the brain is motivated to heal itself. As the author explains, the method complements most any prescribed medical or rehabilitation regimen. Though not scientifically proven, (and may never be because of the multitude of variables involved in home caregiving), it worked in Eve’s dire case with only one caregiver involved. It costs nothing to implement and it’s custom-designed for the patient, no matter how “different” the stroke or brain injury is. Perhaps most importantly, it helps the caregiver cope under stress.
For more information about Brain, Heal Thyself, ISBN 1-57174-476-2, contact Madonna Siles at Madonna@AlternativeCaregiving.com or visit the website: AlternativeCaregiving.com.
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