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3 comments about Gertrude's Cupboard: Recapturing Minds Stolen by Disease.

1. Gertrude's Cupboard: Recapturing Minds Stolen By Disease is the true story of the author's experiences during a difficult period of her life and how those experiences gave her a new life outlook. After the loss of her mother to dementia and the breakdown of her marriage, the author moved outside the city to start a new life. Instead, the author found poverty and a whole new set of challenges.
   
   The artist made her meagre living teaching art in nursing homes and to individual elderly or infirm clients in the city and commuted to the new home that she shared with her landlord. Everyday was a struggle, financially and emotionally. Then, things got really bad. In a twenty-four hour period, the author would come to face the worst moments of her life. She would also have to make some hard decisions about what was truly important in her life.
   
   Gertrude's Cupboard: Recapturing Minds Stolen By Disease is a multi-levelled story. The main story about the author's life experiences is supplemented by interwoven glimpses into the lives of those suffering from life realities such as dementia and mental illness. Any one of these stories could easily be the topic of a complete book. A truly inspirational and heart warming book.



2. ** In the Lord of the Rings, Eowyn fears above all else to be caged and useless. Her fear seems to be an apt description of the life that Elizabeth Cockey's patients, people trapped in various states of dementia, face. Yet, for an hour a week, with the help of a dedicated art therapist, they are set free from the walls of their mind, and in their freedom, the one helping them finds the meaning of her life. More than one message might be found here. In helping others, you become the best you that is possible to be. As long as someone is alive, there is hope for them to have purpose. Just a little bit of light is enough to turn back the darkness. Perhaps, if you are facing such a twilight time with a loved one, you can find some comfort if you read this book. **
   
   Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, freelance reviewer.



3. I suppose for all of us there are times when someone or some experience touches us, charges us, in one way or another. Sometimes it is for the good, and sometimes it is not. Life often challenges us with circumstances concerning ourselves or our loved ones, and we desperately search for meaning and answers to questions and problems that seem to linger . But then, there are those who finally find the peace, learn the lesson, even though they may not have all the answers, they have learned what is important and how we all play a part in the lives of others.
   This is what I saw in the work, "Gertrude's Cupboard.
   
   As Cockey struggles with extreme challenges concerning the son she so loves, her life is also hampered with the ever present financial needs of mere existence.
   Through the life of a 90 year old woman, who herself is suffering from Dementia, she is shown that what is within her, her gift, her talent can touch and change lives; and in doing so can only enrich her own. A book that brings to light the true struggle of so many suffering people, and an encouragement that one person can make a difference. I believe this work may be an awaking to some and a source of peace to others.
   Shirley Johnson

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4 comments about Regina's Record.

1. "Regina's Record" is an exceptional piece of literary non-fiction. Van Amber combines the story of his mother's mental illness and the horrifying treatment she suffers at the hands of the Veterans' Administration hospital staff with the autobiographical details of his own childhood and early adulthood. The writing is crisp and restrained during the most horrifying events, creating a sense of clarity in the reader. In other sections, the writing becomes lyrical, moving in its expression of love and pity and search for kindness. By the end, the reader believes both Van Amber's grandmother who says "The world is a hard place," and Van Amber, who finds miracles and kindness in that hardness. A beautiful book. A must read for students of counseling and psychology and psychiatry and nursing and medicine, for anyone whose profession requires them to see the human faces of the patient and the family members behind the label of the mental illness.



2. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY BRAVE LOOK AT A LIFE, THAT IN SO MANY OTHER SIMILAR CASES HAVE BEEN PASSED OVER, AND EXAMINED FOR WHAT IT IS - A LIFE! REGINA'S RECORD IS SO SENSETIVELY WRITTEN, AND KEPT ME PINNED TO MY FAVORITE READING CHAIR. THANK YOU JAMES VAN AMBER!



3. The most affecting moments in this memoir take place when the mother and son share a scene. The opening scene, for example, shows, in great detail, how a five-year-old boy witnessed his mother being taken away to the mental hospital. Much later, as an 18-year-old about to join the Army, he visits her at a VA hospital north of Chicago, and she does not recognize him; furthermore, she says that she has no son. What would she make of this memoir-- the son, now in his fifties, reclaiming his mother, detailing her life of abuse and sad delusion? That is the powerful irony that lies embedded in every word of this memoir--how Regina never knew her son (and could not help him) and how the author only knew Regina long after she had died (and could do nothing to help her).

   In one sense, it's a tough book to read. It does not spare the reader. It never censors itself. At the same time, it is beautifully written, a work of great literary craft, that can be appreciated by all who care about excellence in writing, not just by those who are interested in the subject of this book. It would make a terrific movie.




4. This is a book that should not be missed. As I read through the pages, I felt myself walking with Regina as the grip of the VA psychiatric hospital became tighter and tighter. The little boy (the author) has an amazing talent for not only condensing his mother's pain, but also his hopes, fears and his attempts to avoid his mother's fate.

   It really is a thought provking book. The treatment of the mentally ill, children without parents and the brutality toward women left me with a new perspective.

   I recommend it without qualification.

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No comments about Dave's Diary - One Man's Daily Account Of His Battle With Prostate Cancer And... How He Survived.

3 comments about No Limits: Legendary Blind Athlete Leads the Way to New Horizons.

1. - He is not as great as everyone makes him out to be.
   - He depends on other people to do things for him, even though he claims he is independent.
   - He is a tight-wad and only spends money on himself.
   - When his brother was in the hospital for heart complications, he demanded that SOMEONE read his mail, take him shopping, etc.
   -Last, and most importantly...everyone who meets him ends up ignoring him after a few months because they become tired of listening to his self-absorbed, egotistical babble.

   You be the judge of how great and inspiring Harry Cordellos is...




2. It is hard to imagine the determination and skill Harry Cordellos brings to life. Harry demonstrates his faith and willingness to try new things and how to never give up. This book is a true inspiration to anyone who has ever tried to overcome a problem. It is well written and covers a lot of material, keeping you interested in learning more about this motivational winner! When you belive it, you will see it.



3. A blind guy excelling at water-ski jumping, diving off the 10-meter board, driving an ATV in the mountains, snow skiing, running marathons! This is the perfect gift for anybody prone to whining about their problems.

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