Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

This wonderful book tells families what they need to know about dealing with loved ones who had suffered from a stroke and how they can help with their recovery. Because the author is a stroke survior, he provides wonderful insight on what it is like to be a stroke victim. His experiences have helped me better understand what my grandma was experiencing when she suffered from a stroke. This book brings hope to families and survivors of stroke. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I got this book to try to understand what my father was going through. This account was too personal and without some distance and insight from a biographer or Dr. it did not do much to aid me. Some might argue that it is exactly from being very personal that one could get a clear picture of this man's struggle. Maybe it did that but I did not find it helped me.

This is a good book for stroke survivors and family but I must say that I opposed the religious content. My review consists of the letter that I mailed to Mike. Mike welcomed this letter to be used in the Amazon Review. Except for the religious content, I enjoyed this book very much.

Hello Mike,
Yesterday I finished reading your book, Stranger in the Mirror. Although I don't read a great deal of books, I must say I enjoyed this book for the most part. I always enjoyed hearing you tell your stories. And you taught me a great deal about what it is like to be the recipient of a stroke.
This year I lost my Mother and Dad. Both of them had experienced strokes in their lifetimes. My Dad had his about ten years ago. It wasn't nearly as severe as yours. It stopped him from playing golf and other sports. It frustrated him that he couldn't play. He worked at his goal to play again. He did, and he played for another eight years. My Mother had a much more severe stroke about three years ago. She was 90 at the time. My Mom and Dad lived together in the house I grew up in. They lived there since 1950. They were both in there 90s, Mom 90 and Dad 93. My Mother got up early in the morning to get breakfast for Dad. When my Dad woke up Mom was sitting on the side of his Bed. She couldn't move or do anything. That ended the time Mom and Dad lived at the old house where I grew up. My Mother made us all proud the way she, at 90 was determined to get better after her stroke. She had many of the therapies you talked about Mike. One time one of the nurses asked Mom if she wanted to skip some of her exercises and visit with the other people when they were having some kind of a activity, Mom said No, in her broken and hard to understand speech, would say, why would I want to take time form my exercised to sit around with old people that don't understand what they are doing. I want to get out of here and function again. She did just that. The nurses at the home and are family were amazed at her drive at 90 years of age. She moved into a real nice place with assisted living and lived there for about three more years before she died there.
Your book gives great incite into some of the things my mother was going through. With out your explanation Mike I wouldn't have realized what my Mother must have been thinking. It was very hard for her to communicate verbally but she was sharp as a tack and had a sweet spirit and since of humor. My brother Jack had by far the most responsibly for the care of Mom and Dad. I will probably give him my copy of your book. I am sure he will appreciate it also. Mike you did a good job communicating what it is like experiencing a stroke and I also enjoyed your stories. Some of them I remember you telling me. I also admire your honesty talking about your self in embarrassing situations.
As you recall in the first part of this letter, I said that I must say I enjoyed this book for the most part. The other part that I can't say in good conscience was helpful, was your experiences with your God. Mike I believe you are sincere and believe what you say in your book to be true to your understanding concerning your type of faith in God. You site several experiences that dramatically reinforce what you believe God expects from you. You say that you believe God healed you. I also believe that is possible. But if He did, you haven't given him credit for it yet because you haven't realized that Jesus Christ is God our Creator and Redeemer. I realize you feel very strong about this Mike but feelings can be very deceiving. Here is a bible verse concerning how feelings can be deceiving. This verse is form the Old Testament. Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Also Mike in Chapter 17 of your book on Wishful Thinking, I noticed when you are trying to help the reader with a good way to get results by using sample wishes effectively, I noticed that a great deal of the time you start out with I am or My, followed by other words that you want to express to help take control of specific situations in your own power or that the responsibility is yours. The point here is that you are looking to your self to accomplish your goal thinking that God is pleased with your efforts when He is only pleased when you acknowledge his instead by humbly coming to God trusting in His strength and transforming power giving Him honor and credit for what only He could do. It reminds me of other verses in the Bible that quote Lucifer and his desire to be in control also. He, for example, uses I will several times. You can read this in the Old Testament in Isaiah Chapter 14 verses 12 through 17. The comparison here is God resists these kinds of efforts and wants us to acknowledge Him and worship Him.
One of the common threads I see in your book Mike, concerning your belief God, is the idea that God will overlook or forgive you of past sins if you do things to make up for them. This is the opposite of what Jesus Christ taught. He taught that we continue to have every sin we ever committed because we can't atone or pay for them. Only He can because He is God and He had no sin of his own. He loved us so much that He chose to redeem us. That is why He went to the cross. See John Chapter 3 Verse 16 in the New Testament
Mike please considers these thoughts. Your friendship is appreciated. Keep on getting better. I was very interested in how your meeting mite be with Miss-Right. You asked me to buy the book and talk with you after that and give you a review on Amazon concerning your book. Do you still want me to give the review? Your book is very helpful for stroke victims and there families.
Mike Jesus Christ is the one you have been seeking. I believe He wants me to tell you to come to Him for eternal life. You can read this from His Word. Please read from the New Testament, The Gospel of John Chapter 3 Verse 18
Thanks for listening to what I had to say Mike. Keep in touch. I am proud to have you as my friend and will be looking forward to hearing from you. Frank