A Shameless Plug
I know where I’m going after this blog – I’m going to Barnes & Noble to buy a new book that just came out yesterday: It’s called Strong at The Broken Places (Harper Collins) and it tells the story of five remarkable people, who are living with chronic illness.
It’s brutally honest and brilliantly written. And if it isn’t prominently displayed at the front of the store, I plan to move it.
Oh, by the way, you might have heard of the author. His name is Richard Cohen. And I’ve seen him naked. (But that’s another story.)
I’m so proud of my husband because I know how hard it was for him to write this book.
I remember when he started the process two years ago. He’d already written a memoir about living with MS (Blindsided) and in traveling around the country to tell his story, he had met so many people with illness who not only thanked him for giving them a voice but wanted to share their experiences—often for the first time. Richard realized then that he wanted to put some of those stories in print. I know he felt a huge weight of responsibility in writing the book and doing justice to these five individuals.
As the months went on, Richard’s own physical limitations often made it hard for him to get through the mechanics of writing the book. I can’t tell you how many early mornings I found him hunched over his computer, with his face pressed to the screen. Because Richard’s eyesight is so diminished as a result of the MS, it was the only way he could read the words. And weakness in his right hand made it difficult for him to type the thoughts that flowed so smoothly through his mind.
Occasionally Richard would say to me, “I don’t think I can do this.” But I knew he could.
Beginning next Monday, the Today show is profiling the five people in Richard’s book as part of a three-day series on chronic illness. I am sure their stories will resonate with many of you, given the fact that 90 million Americans are living with some form of chronic illness (and even more startling, that more than 80% of people over the age of 65 have a chronic illness).
So if you happen to pass by the Barnes & Noble in Yonkers today, I’ll be the one standing at the checkout line with a book in my hand, and a big smile on my face.
Photo credit 2008 Mark Ostow Photography
Clockwise from top left: Larry Fricks, Sarah Levin Weiss, Richard Cohen, Buzz Bay, Ben Cumbo, Denise Glass
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: A Shameless Plug.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://meredithtoday.ivillage.com/system/mt-tb.cgi/2362
Congrats to him for accomplishing such a difficult task! I'm sure it helped to have someone rooting him on the whole way. I'm so glad that your show will be profiling the people and their illnesses, I hope you'll consider other less profiled chronic conditions, such as endometriosis. It's one that has no cure and effects more than 5 million women, causing infertility in many.
May we all learn as we grow and may we remember what we've learned if we ever have the ability -or finances- to help make changes!
Dear Meredith,
God Bless your husband Richard,I look forward to the show next week profiling the five people in Richard's book. I read his first book, and thought what a remarkable man he is, and what a wonderful family he has.
God bless Richard, the five people in his book, you, your family, their families and all of those who are dealing with chronic illnesses and their effects. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I'll definitely be standing in line to buy Richard's book too! My sister lived with a chronic heart condition, which eventually took her life at the age of only 34. I grew up with her illness in the forefront of our family. It was a part of daily life for all of us. She fought a brave and corageous battle and she is truly my inspiration for life.
Thanks to Richard for pouring his heart and soul into this book and the last one. You've got quite a man there! :)
Hugs to you too, Meredith!
I suffer from chronic illness(es) and at times get 'down in the dumps' on my bad days. I then take a good look around and see others who have it rougher than I do and I know that I'll get through it. I know MS and how devastating it can be; my best wishes to Richard for the success of his newest book.
Thank God for Richard who provided a book for all of us with a chronic illness. I too have MS..I'm 56 now and was diagnosed at 36. Through tough days, I raised by daughter and worked full time until about 7 years ago. My husband is an angel and helps me make it even on the worst days. God Bless you and your family....I feel like I know you since I look forward to seeing "Today" each morning.
Meredith,
I had stage 4 cncer 4 years ago. I was 3o years old. I also suffer from Peripheral Polyneuropathy. This left me without feeling in my hands or from my knees down. I have been unable to walk since being diagnosed. I am teaching myself to walk with canes. I can relate to what your husband is going through at a young age. I am purchasing the book as soon as I can. I am proud of him and also proud of you. He is lucky to have you for encouragment.
Tell me how you do it. This morning, my very good friend's house burned to a crisp. This happens to be the same friend who in the past 2 years is helping her husband cope with acute myelogenous leukemia, and lovingly tends to her aging parents who live quite a distance away. Meredith, you are a woman who drips with empathy. How do you reckon living a charmed life - and by charmed, I am not talking about your professional accomplishments, I mean the same charmed life that I live, having health, being able to care for my family - while others seem to have an inordinate amount of suffering. It must get to you at times. I know the pat answers, but on days like today, i just can't help but wonder about this crazy life we live. I feel grateful for my 'blessings', yet at the same time I feel a vague sense of guilt when I watch my friend deal with such turmoil. I know you have felt this...I always love your perspective/two cents. Every Saturday night, I cruise Borders and this week, I will pick up Strong... xo
Congratulations on your husband finishing his book! I'll be sure to add it to my reading list...
Thanks for sharing that! I thoroughly enjoyed Richard's first book. I don't live in the US but thanks to the wonders of the internet and online shopping I now know the book is out and I've got one heading my way .....am right behind you in that que to get my copy. Love your work Meredith!
Meredith, here's a Friday question. Will you ever be able to be on the Today Show from 9-10am? I stop watching as soon as the first two hours are over!!
HI Meredith,
I would be very proud of Richard too if I was you, he is a good man and I got his first book and will buy this one too.
I have been living with a chronic illness since I was 25 years old and I am now 59 and finally got a permanent colostomy so that kind of took care of it but I know I don't go through what Richard does everyday.
I can imagine that Richard must get depressed at times, he is going through a lot and I wonder if I would be able to do what he does if I was in his place, we don't know until we have to go through it oursevles.
Richard is lucky to have you to be at his side and you are lucky to have him at your side.
I am going to get the book as soon as I can.
Love ya Merdith
Joan K.
Wisconsin
HI Meredith,
I just went to the site to buy Richard's book and I see that one of the people in it suffers from Crohn's, so do I so I will find it very interesting.
Joan K.
Wisconsin
I too, suffer from MS, although you would NOT know it to look at me. I am blessed to feel good 99.9% of the time and I applaud you and Richard for allowing other's stories to be shared.
I tell everyone I know about my illness in the hopes that it will inspire people to things to help those afflicted with any debilitating disease.
For me, there is NO time for the pity party that so many attend. Life is too short and there are so many others with so many incurable diseases that will ALWAYS be far worse off than I will ever be.
I congratulate you both,
Jackie
Walk MS Ambassador 2006
MS Crop 4 Hope coordinator and NMSS Perpetual Idealist Award Winner 2007
All I want for Xmas is my 2 front teeth? LOL. Sounds like you need a new dentist!
My beautiful husband has been living with ALS for the past 10 years. He has been in a wheelchair for 9 and on a ventilator for 6. The only thing that he can even slightly move is his eyebrow. He has not been able to speak out loud for 3 years. Despite his disability he has had a life filled with many blessings. People who live with chronic and other horrible diseases our some of our worlds most courageous. Their lives our a gift to the rest of us. They give us hope. I look forward to reading Richard's book and seeing the interviews on the Today show. Thank you for sharing.
My mom was diagnosed in 1997 with MS. I am 14 years old, and my brother is 11, and I know that my brother and I don't make it any easier for my mom. Sometimes she has good days and sometimes she has worse days, but through it all, she is always there for my brother, my dad, and me. She helps us, guides us, and believes in us even though she has to live each day with this horrible disease. Thank you and your husband for being voices for MS because there really has not been a strong enough voice out there.
My mom was diagnosed with MS in 1997, and Iâm not going to lie, it has been hard. I am 14 and my brother is 11, and I know that we donât make it any easier for her. However, she is always there for my brother, my dad, and me. Sometimes she has good days, and sometimes she has worse days, but through it all, she helps us, guides us, and believes in us and our dreams even though she must live with this horrible disease each and every day. Thank you and your husband for being voices for MS because there has really not been a strong enough voice out there.
Meredith,
Nothing wrong with Richard's best friend and soulmate being his eyes, ears, and voice at times!
Blessings,
Linda
Richard should purchase a computer program called Zoom text, which can enlarge all the text on the screen. It can be adjusted to any size and color variations that are easier for him to use.
Hi , I am so happy you are doing this story and cannot wait to get the book. My Husband and I both have M.S. and we are high school sweet hearts with 3 kids. He cannot walk so well and my tounge is going and I hurt all the time but I can take meds he cannot due to a heart attack and diabetes. We what wecan and take each day by each day. Betsey
I'm sure that this series is wonderful but I have a problem with the back ground music. It is so loud that I have trouble hearing the words being spoken. Not only on this segment but the whole show. I have written in and complained before with no result my only solution is to watch something else.
Charla
Texas
I am enjoying your series on chronic illness. My son Leighton was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 14 years ago. He is 25 now and I am so proud of him. Leighton will be starting Law school at the university of Arizona in Aug. 2008, but after working for Ford Motor Co. in Rochester , NY for 2 years, he and his fiance Amanda are traveling (backpacking) 11 countries. They are in Lima Peru right now in a small town Huancayo learning about this beautiful world of ours. Leighton is traveling with 2/3 of his back with test strips insulin and anything else he needs to survive, because he cannot live without it. Please check out his blog Leightonamanda.blogspot.com Nothing has been easy for him, and as a mother I am very proud of him, because his chronic illness is not going to stop him to live life to the fullest. But I do worry about them I cannot pretend not to Thanks again for the your series. Millie rockafellow, tucson arizona
Meredith,
Words cannot express how well the CI series has been done, Richard's passion, & yours! Today I appreciated the areas you covered-specifically that one man said his faith/family had made the difference, that the young gal spoke about having an illness people don't see (&a "prednisone face" which I have [rheumatoid arthritis). People with illness are some of the most amazing people we'll ever know. When you choked up at the end, I cried w/ you. As founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and also Rest Ministries (which serves the chronically ill, restministries.org) I am personally & professionally thrilled to see chronic illness represented so well, especially the emotional impact & how it affects an entire family. I've read Richard's first book & would love to connect with you (I'm author of "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend" and think some examples would be really helpful for your audience.) THANK YOU for giving people w/ illness a voice! So needed!
I knew Meridith's husband had MS and I always admired her frank discussion about him. After seeing the segment with Richard and the people in his new book, I went to buy Blindsided yesterday. As the mother of a son who is newly diagnosed with MS, I am thankful that Richard has written such a book. My son is still in denial, but the book has helped me so much...I could not put it down. Your loving family and his honest portrayal give me the optimism to know that my son will be all right, in spite of the diagnosis. Thank you so much for having your husband on TV... it lets people everywhere know that no matter what the ailment, people are people, who want to live a life filled with work, family, love and fun who also happen to have disabilities. Let's not look away!
In our world of drive-through weddings to quickie-divorces it's striking & wonderful to see you and your husband not only standing together, but doing so lovingly, triumphantly...with joy. While I know there are a lot of people out there like you - for whom sharing their lives, as equals, with a spouse or other loved one with a chronic illness or disability - who consider it a normal, welcome facet of their lives; it's also so prevalent today for people to just walk away from anything that challenges them or causes them any extra effort - mental, physical, spiritual or financial...especially, it seems, for those in the public eye.
Your husband is inspiring, his obvious strength and determination, and his unwillingness to allow his limitations to define him show true depth of character. How wonderful that he has you to share not only his triumphs, but to help lift him up and help him along when he needs that little bit of additional strength. How wonderful that you have him to do the same.
Hello Meredith,
Congratulations to Richard and you on his new book. I saw the interview on Monday with Denise and Buzz. It is easy to see why these two were featured in Richard's book. They have a message and the gifts to help them deliver it. Denise has those beautiful, sincere eyes and Buzz sings like a pro. What an inspiration they are!
As you ended your segment on Monday you said "over-coming life with chronic illness." At that moment it struck me; they are over-coming chronic illness with LIFE! Wow!
Thank you Richard for writing the book and Meredith for sharing it with us.
If you ever need another person with a chronic illness, I will volunteer!
I have hereditary blood clots.
The doctors say it is rare...only 5 %.
But..that is one in 20 people!
linda