Customer Reviews

Meeting the Challenge: Living With Chronic Illness

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Audrey Kron, a psychotherapist with Crohn's, has devoted her career to helping people cope with illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease. This new book is a valuable resource for people with chronic illness. Chapter titles include "Controlling Pain"; "Getting Out of Bed in the Morning"; "Managing a Professional Life"; "Exploring Sexual Matters"; "Therapy: When Is It Appropriate?"

As one who has lived with chronic illness since the age of 10, I understand the complex emotional process encountered while ill, and during and following diagnosis. Kron's advice as right on. I was amazed to find a book that so captures my own experience and philosophy. Most books on coping with illness are either overly medical, patronizing or pessimistic. Meeting the Challenge is realistic while at the same time empowering. This is a must read for anyone who is experiencing chronic illness either directly or as a loved one supporting another.

I was somewhat surprised to find myself totally engrossed in her story and did not put the book down until the last page was read. I found her message courageous, empowering and completely compassionate. The details of her medical misfortunes are not the same as those we face with Graves'. However, the translation was effortless. Her strength gave me strength, her patience contributed to mine, her tenacity urged me to fight back for me. I recommend reading her book for a grueling lesson in the strange twists that life can turn and how to steer in a useful direction. She is one awesome woman. Bonnie Bos, National Graves Disease Foundation

Author begins book by outlining her incredible personal story of a lifelong struggle with Crohn's disease and its many complications and how it has impacted her life and shaped her decisions. Kron became a therapist specializing in chronic illness issues and how they impact the self and family. The book itself is written in a question and answer format (the author had a column "Ask Audrey" for years and derives much of her information and inspiration from that) and while the questions are very basic (and the answers common sense for the most part), the writing is good and resources are listed although they are a little outdated. I found a question directed to how a chronically ill person should evaluate possible careers to be of especial relevance. Audrey's advice: try to find work with flexible hours, look at contractual work where you can set your own pace, become your own boss, find a situation where someone can easily fill in for you, look at jobs with increased mobility (so you can carve out time to rest/ use the bathroom), identify something you love to do, find an understanding boss and coworkers, find a job with flexibility to tailor the work to your needs (disability laws require this), and become so good at what you do that you're in demand despite your illness. All good advice, presuming a certain level of skill and stamina.

This book is inspiring. It provides a 'living' manual for individuals who are challenged with the insecurities of their medical conditions, as well as a role model of a remarkable woman who has the system figured out and is willing to share her experience. Recommended reading for everyone.

A thoughtful and caring look at the problems and solutions that face individuals and couples living with chronic illness.