Stranger In The Mirror: A True Story of Stroke Survival and Transformation written with Insight, Compassion and Humor for Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families [Paperback]

Michael Edward Little (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2006

A man's character is revealed by his actions. Author Michael Little suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage, which left him unable to speak intelligibly, crippled, blind, and senseless. Michael refused to be defined by his injury, choosing instead to let his struggle and recovery speak for him. Stranger in the Mirror is the story of one man's journey through his dark night of soul to enlightenment. Michael shows us that our lives are full of choices and our limitations are often self-imposed. Facing tragedy with humor, grit and grace, Michael found redemption. In writing this remarkable book, he shows the way for all of us, to reassess and redirect our lives in a more positive meaningful direction. Stranger in the Mirror is a highly literate book that may send some readers scrambling for their dictionary. The author isn't showing off, but he is careful to use the words he means, and mean what he writes. This joyous book is a dazzling tour de force, filled with humor and wisdom. It is sure to inspire courage and bring hope to stroke and brain injured survivors and their families. Michael shows all of us we, too, can have the happy ending we deserve. This powerful book will lift you to new heights where the air is thinner. This is the owner's manual stroke and brain injury survivors need. Brain injury needn't be the end. It can be a beginning. More than half this wonderful book is of a medical nature; what families and survivors should know to help them move forward. The balance focuses on the author's struggles, his blunders, and his insights into a brain damaged world. "The author should be immensely proud. This book is good medicine. You'll laugh out loud!" said author Mark Twain.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After Michael Edward Little suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, his doctor suggested he write a book about his experience to help other brain injury and stroke survivors and their families through the experience of injury, rehabilitation, and return. Stranger in the Mirror is that book. This deeply moving personal account of brain damage is unlike anything ever written. The author is so open and honest about his experiences, you may squirm when you read his work. He doesn't talk down to readers, but instead invites us into the same nightmare many people quietly confront every year. Like the best works of O. Henry, the author's work is often ironic, humorous, and perceptive of the human condition, with a surprise ending. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down, because the author shares what he learned and how he learned it. He writes of great truths we can learn if we pay attention to the world around us. Your own life-experience will confirm many of his observations. "Good writing always teaches us something or shows us a new way of looking at things", Michael said recently. Michael frequently speaks before groups of brain injury survivors, stroke survivors, and medical professionals. His talks are always filled with laughter and joy. He considers his brain hemorrhage a blessing. "My experience was terrifying and I was scared to death, but I'm more compassionate, and a better person because of it". he says. "Bad things happen to everyone. How we deal with them defines the world we live in. That was an important lesson I learned from my experience. Most people consider brain hemorrhage something terrible, but for me it was wonderful. This sounds goofy, but it's true". Presently the author is happily studying the works of Seneca.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (February 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425907261
• ISBN-13: 978-1425907266
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,805,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh Air, June 27, 2006

By 

Aaron Kidwell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stranger In The Mirror: A True Story of Stroke Survival and Transformation written with Insight, Compassion and Humor for Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families (Paperback)

Allow me to open by saying that I am biased. I am biased because I still remember the morning that I got a call from Mike telling me that he was in the hospital after having suffered his stroke. This call took place several weeks after the event, not immediately after. His voice weak, his words slurred, and most of the things that he said had to be repeated at least one time. To say that I felt heartbroken for him is certainly an understatement. It was awkward for me to hear him in that condition, and I imagined that it was awkward for him to find himself in that state as well.
Then something happened; something I will never forget. He called one day and, sounding quite a bit better though not yet back to his former self, said that he had been encouraged to write a book about his experience. He envisioned a book that would help EVERY survivor, EVERY caretaker of the survivor, and EVERY family member of the survivor. Now there were undoubtably scores of books out there for the healthcare professional treating brain injured people, but were there many, if any, books out there that acted as a guide for the laymen, the average Joe? I didn't know, and I don't know if he did either. So, he gave it a shot.
The result has been more than I could have hoped for. I had envisioned a book that was simply an A to Z listing of "helpful" advice, but his vision had been greater. Had he listened to me I suppose we would have been stuck with what would have been little more than a list of dos and do nots. What he has created is not a list. He has created a journey, based on real experiences, that actually engages the reader and enables a level of understanding that I never thought I would attain with regard to a subject about which I had formerly known nothing.
It is a story; a real life story. There are parts that I personally find awkward because they take me back to the day of that first phone call, but to others, those same parts put the reader in the mind of the stroke survivor. That's uncommon to find and, for the survivor and their friends and family, very useful information.
He has done a fantastic job with this effort. He set out to create something that would help countless others and give them a head start on their road to recovery, while at the same time providing their friends and family an insight into what their loved one is truly experiencing. He has done all of that. He has done that in a big way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book. A source of information and strength to all especially caregivers and stroke victims., June 4, 2006

By 

Sudhir Aneja (Falls Church, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stranger In The Mirror: A True Story of Stroke Survival and Transformation written with Insight, Compassion and Humor for Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families (Paperback)

A friend recommended the book `Stranger in the Mirror' by Michael E Little to me. I am very glad and thankful to my friend. The book is absolutely brilliant. This is a gripping story of the author himself, of how he survived a massive stroke and brain hemorrhage with his sanity and sense of humor intact. The subject matter of the book relates to a `real life' occurrence, which both sounds and is some-what depressing. However this marvelous book is wonderful, is full of solutions and definitely not depressing. This little wonder was an absolute treat to read. After going through the first few pages, I could not put it down! The book is all about adjusting to the real time challenges of this new situation and life. It displays renewed hope, strength and character of a young man and I found no trace of self pity and remorse. In fact, the author seems determined to give his readers hope for their own future. This little gem is busting with humor and wisdom, unlike anything in my experience.

This book is so dead honest that parts of it made me squirm with embarrassment at the author's predicament and how to handle it. Delicious! This book surprised me and made me laugh out loud at times. The author's humor is sometimes obvious and sometimes subtle, but through this terrible experience he manages to keep his prospective and find humor in his life-shattering tragedy. I suspect his prospective is a product of his combat experience in Viet Nam, strength of character and his will to survive and make the most of `life's challenges. I can only hope I show the same grace and élan if tragedy ever befalls me.

Stranger in the Mirror surprised, delighted and inspired me! I absolutely loved it and recommend it to everyone, whether or not they are handicapped. I especially recommend for inclusion in public libraries and to friends and caregivers of family of stoke victims.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm glad I read this book!, June 18, 2006

By 

Rick David LaDue (Il.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stranger In The Mirror: A True Story of Stroke Survival and Transformation written with Insight, Compassion and Humor for Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families (Paperback)

I read this book on a suggestion of a friend,It gave to me a gift of Hope,humility and humor.Michael has shown that when something this bad happens;if one does not give up, chances of comming out the other side intact and a stronger person for it are much better. I GIVE THIS BOOK TWO THUMS UP!