Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities [Paperback]

Sharon Smith-Merritt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2003

On a wet, chilly autumn night along a rural Oregon road this young woman's life was forever changed. A severe car accident nearly took her life. What followed were months of varying diagnoses and treatments for injuries to her head and body. However, as serious as her external injuries were, many 'invisible' problems remained after the visible, physical wounds healed. Mental, emotional, financial and spiritual adjustments were just the beginning of learning how to live, and live well, despite the disability, suffering, and loss of many of her dreams.Through her experience, Sharon Smith-Merritt has recorded hundreds of suggestions, helpful hints and tips on a variety topics including grieving, personal relationships, finances, sex, body image, and finding new, useful things to do. Her story is helpful and inspiring for anyone, not just those who are suffering from 'invisible illnesses.' Not only will it give guidance to those living with a new disability, it will also enable others to positively influence, support and encourage loved ones in their new struggle with the myriad of problems encountered after such a life-altering event.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sharon Smith-Merritt was born in 1969 and has lived most of her life in Portland, Oregon. Her college career at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon culminated in her receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999. However, her time spent in the Physical Therapy Masters program was interrupted by the incident that became the catalyst for her book.A car accident in 1991 left Sharon permanently, although invisibly, disabled. A lack of available support resources led to the research and development of her book, Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities. Her inspirational story of coping with a long term, non-life threatening illness offers keen insight into the life, abilities and limitations of living with these kinds of disabilities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403388687
• ISBN-13: 978-1403388681
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,376,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much-needed look at an often-ignored medical topic, April 25, 1999

By 

"meghannyc" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities (Paperback)

I very much recommend "Invisible Illnesses." Too often, I think health and recovery books are written by practioners, and so have an extremely limited (and frequently, somewhat patronizing) point-of-view. There just aren't enough books written from patients' perspectives, and so, this book is a welcome find. It's full of lots of practical strategies for dealing with any sort of complicated and frustrating medical diagnosis. It also--impressively so, considering that the author is recovering from a truly horrific accident--has a strong sense of hope. As someone attempting to rehabilitate from a probably-permanently disabling injury herself, it's refreshing to me to read a book that not only is very honest--but also presents a "yes, you actually can survive terrible, life-altering events" attitude.

This book is a great choice for anyone suffering from a chronic illness, injury, disability, and/or other daunting life challenge.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most illuminating and practical book, December 10, 1999

By 

Rich Houseknecht (Greensboro, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities (Paperback)

Sharon's book provides a wonderful set of insights for people who have either suffered themselves from disabling injury or have a friend or loved one who has. Indeed it addresses in illuminating detail areas of human trial which most of us never face. By doing so, we come away better equipped to hone our interfacing skills with the disabled person and are thereby able to extend true compassion and assistance toward them. The disabled person reading the book will recognize the many frustrating aspects any disability incurs but particularly if the disability is not apparent to the casual observer. Beyond that, Sharon provides the victim of disabling injury with positive ideas and action plans to deal with and overcome these frustrations. She does this with skill and wit.

Sharon begins the book with a moving account of her accident and traces step by step the profound ways it changed her life. It is a compelling story that the reader will find difficult to put down. The book is a vessel of hope, encouragement and honesty and a very easy read. Sharon faces her ordeal with courage and openess providing inspiration to us all. One becomes aware of how her qualities of character have served her well since the injury -- especially her kindness, thoughtfulness and patience toward those she meets along the way including the insensitive ones. Now she shares her unique perspective for overcoming the anger, hurt and frustration and getting on with life in a hopeful and productive manner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable guide for parents or friends of the invisibly ill, April 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities (Paperback)

Sharon tells us, in plain English, what it is like to be afflicted with an invisible illness. More importantly, she provides a basic guide for those of us who must treat or cope with the inner turmoil experienced by such people. Sharon's illness, while totally different from my son's severe AD/HD condition, manifests itself in many of the same ways. I truly believe that reading her book has made me a better parent.

I highly recommend Invisible Illnesses and Disabilities to all who wish to improve their understanding of the people around them.