For those who dont know, PD stands for Parkinsons disease. I could think of other names right now as well, but Ill stick to the subject. Technically, theres a portion of my brain that produces dopamine, a chemical necessary for nerve conduction (and a bit of sanity), where cells have died. Theres a technical term for those cells as well, but this is neither an anatomy lesson nor a pharmacological treatise, so Ill forgo the technical details. I want to talk about what its like for me to experience this depletion of dopamine and the nuances of daily life therewith. I have no intention of keeping this totally rational. I can do that, but it would be dishonest and not be helpful as I work through each day genuinely. Fortunately, I stay neither in the rational nor irrational all the time. The irrational side of me says, No one wants to hear your bellyache about whats going on with you. Theyre too busy with their own stuff to care. The rational side says, If one person who reads this is helped or inspired to go on one more day, this expression has been worth it. So damn the irrational and on with the rational. Here go both!

"Not only can you survive with heart disease, you can actually thrive with it for many, many years. If you cope well and follow the advice I give you in this book, you can live as long as you would if you didn't have the illness." -- from Chapter One, "Begin the Journey" In this landmark volume, Wayne M. Sotile, Ph.D., breaks the story that every heart patient needs to know: In many cases, it's how you deal with the illness and not the condition of your heart that will determine how completely you recover, or if you recover at all. If you're one of the 61 million Americans diagnosed with heart illness -- whether you've had a heart attack, high blood pressure, angina, or surgery -- the program in this book can extend your life and might even save it. Many books have dealt with the physical aspects of cardiovascular illness, but Thriving with Heart Disease is the first to offer patients and their loved ones a program for coping with the emotional and psychological side effects that can ravage relationships and throw families into disarray. Dr. Sotile's extraordinary success with cardiac patients attests to his belief that living with heart disease is not a temporary adjustment but a journey you take one moment at a time toward the healthy life you were meant to live, surrounded by the people you love. Based on the experiences of thousands of patients at Wake Forest University's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program -- the nation's first mind-body center for living well with heart illness -- Dr. Sotile's program provides step-by-step instructions on how to establish a robust, new normal life for you and the people you care about, whether you're a parent with young children, a mature adult with grandchildren, or a single man or woman whose family is a devoted network of friends. Written with warmth and humor and filled with news of the latest research into the links between heart and brain, body and soul, Thriving with Heart Disease is the book that every heart patient needs to read. It's not a diet book, an exercise book, or a cookbook. It is the first self-help manual to guide heart patients and their loved ones through the psychological side effects they're likely to experience and onto the path to vibrant, new normal lives.

Stories of blind people who use creativity and determination to live the life of their dreams. Also includes lists of resources for advocacy, rehabilitation, recreation, and support systems for the blind.

Amazon Best Seller in Heart Disease​ Compelling, expert advice on how to live fearlessly with atrial fibrillation AFib patients, their family, friends, and caregivers are often misinformed about the latest research, advancements, and treatments. In this life-changing book, renowned cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Aseem Desai diminishes the worry and confusion that come with an AFib diagnosis by presenting you with the latest medical information in a concise and positive way. Dr. Desai has made it his mission to significantly improve the lives of those diagnosed with AFib and to offer hope and encouragement to patients and their loved ones. Filled with innovative knowledge and vivid illustrations, Restart Your Heart will empower and inspire you by providing straightforward answers and options to deal with this complex disease. In this comprehensive guide to living your best life with AFib, you will: • Be Informed about what AFib is, why it happens, and simple steps to take after being diagnosed. • Be Prepared to deal with the diagnosis and condition on mental and emotional levels, and create a toolbox for resilience in challenging times. • Be in Control by gaining crucial knowledge about trigger and risk factor modifications, the latest treatment options, and how to monitor the disease for progression or recurrence. Restart Your Heart delivers cutting-edge information, options, and solutions that will afford you a newfound sense of comfort, confidence, and control.

Downtowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas, technology, and ventures. They are the heart of the city that drives its future. If we are to have healthy downtowns, we need to understand what downtown is all about; how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving (such as San Jose and Houston), some have been in decline for half a century (including Detroit and St. Louis), and still others are resurging after temporary decline (many, including Lower Manhattan and Los Angeles). The downtowns that are prospering are those that more easily adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. In The Heart of the City, distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin shares lessons on how to plan for a mix of housing, businesses, and attractions; enhance the public realm; improve mobility; and successfully manage downtown services. Garvin opens the book with diagnoses of downtowns across the United States, including the people, businesses, institutions, and public agencies implementing changes. In a review of prescriptions and treatments for any downtown, Garvin shares brief accounts—of both successes and failures—of what individuals with very different objectives have done to change their downtowns. The final chapters look at what is possible for downtowns in the future, closing with suggested national, state, and local legislation to create standard downtown business improvement districts to better manage downtowns. This book will help public officials, civic organizations, downtown business property owners, and people who care about cities learn from successful recent actions in downtowns across the country, and expand opportunities facing their downtown. Garvin provides recommendations for continuing actions to help any downtown thrive, ensuring a prosperous and thrilling future for the 21st-century American city.

The prevalence of trauma permeates America’s families, and no one is immune to its impact. Natural disasters, community and institutional violence, adverse childhood experiences—these events impact the developing brains and bodies of our youth. This book for parents and educators pulls together the research on adverse childhood experiences and other traumatic events, positive psychology and resilience to provide parents and educators specific tools to help their trauma-impacted children move from surviving to thriving. Presented in an easy-to-read, conversational style, Healing the Heart uses evidence-based strategies, inspirational stories and role-playing scenarios to provide parents and educators the information and tools needed to heal the negative impact of traumatic events. With specific strategies to address diverse forms of trauma and diverse populations, this book is a must-read resource for anyone wanting to reestablish safety, increase resilience and help heal the long-term impact of trauma.

The autobiography of a girl who was incarcerated in a state mental hospital at age 12, and her adult self-reconciling of that experience through her professional lens as a trauma therapist.