Flying Lessons: On the Wings of Parkinson's Disease [Hardcover]

Joan Grady-Fitchett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998

"Well written, informative . . . (this book) emphasizes the need for courage, determination, and optimism in dealing with the many difficulties of Parkinson's Disease".--Melvin D. Yahr, M.D.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"[A]pathy is a great part of the disease and if you succumb to it, the disease will take over." Apathy, however, would hardly apply to Grady-Fitchett and her fight against Parkinson's disease. Diagnosed at the age of 47, Grady-Fitchett has spent the last 17 years contacting specialists and investigating treatments to combat the progressive loss of motor control, manifested by tremors, stiffness and difficulty in walking, that is brought on by the disease. In this feisty, engaging memoir, she describes her experience with a variety of prescription drugs, including deprenyl and Sinemet, that alleviated her symptoms for varying periods of time. Firmly believing that Parkinson's is a psychological as well as physical affliction, Grady-Fitchett refused to curtail her active life and provides an entertaining account of life on the North Carolina horse farm she purchased in 1983. A commercial real estate broker, she describes not only everyday challenges but unusual ones, such as her acceptance of the love of the man who would become her fourth husband well after she had given up hope of love, and her year-long legal battle with corporate lawyers who "would move in for the kill" at the first sign of weakness. Only two aspects of this brave medical memoir could be improved: the poetry ("Animals are thick with coat/ snakes shed their skin/ and crabs' shells soften") and the ending: Grady-Fitchett is a candidate for fetal transplant surgery later this year and readers will no doubt like to know.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Grady-Fitchett has enjoyed plenty of money, successful careers in modeling and real estate, and strong supporters during her 17 years with Parkinson's disease. She has been able to obtain the best medical care, live comfortably, and travel pleasantly. So hers is not a typical patient's account. It is written in a lively and often amusing manner, though, and is decorated by her own graceful and evocative poems. Perhaps the high point of her life, as she tells it, was the eight years she spent on a North Carolina farm with various horses, geese (one liked to sit in her lap and sip tea), and a collie. She describes Parkinson's growing effects in some detail and reflects on her reactions. She also specifies her various medicines and how they helped or antagonized her condition. She gives the impression that her strong character and fervent desire to be independent have undoubtedly helped her. The account ends with the tests preliminary to an operation to implant fetal tissue in her brain. William Beatty

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312864906
• ISBN-13: 978-0312864903
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,008,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable informative human interest writing., April 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying Lessons: On the Wings of Parkinson's Disease (Hardcover)

Fighting the challanges of Parkinson's Disease, sometimes winning, sometimes losing; along with general living experiences made this book an informative and enjoyable read for me. However, it ended too soon. Did she have the surgery and what were the results?

4.0 out of 5 stars Flying Lessons-Parkinsons Disease, December 23, 1999

By 

Maureen M. Horansky "authormaggie" (Pinehurst NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying Lessons: On the Wings of Parkinson's Disease (Hardcover)

I found this book to be inspiring for anyone suffering from Parkinsons. Joan Grady-Fitchett the author has done an excellent job of relating to the reader the gamut of emotions involved in the diagnosis of Parkinsons. Her strong mental attitude and determination should inspire others to do the same.The book also gives important information on doctors to contact and the success and failure of her medications and treatments.

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll cry & laugh--a Horse Whisperer tragedy, in her body., August 23, 1998

By 

"writer101" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Lessons: On the Wings of Parkinson's Disease (Hardcover)

An amazing woman fights the little and big things that are no longer familiar. This disease, this invader, is slowing crashing her body. All she has left is spirit and persistence, but these are powerful. Joan's writing is tight and moving. It takes you along with her from the top of success in professional modeling. From anger. Through realization and fear. Through lovers and pain, and to rest of her life. The reader will come away a little smarter, a lot braver, and a little less a victim in their own life.