Ask the Author: Rima Pande
Answered Questions (6)
Rima Pande
I am not a professional writer, it is almost as if the book just happened, emerging out of my writing what I thought my father might be thinking during the two years he was paralyzed, bedridden and unable to speak, more as a therapeutic experience for me than a book. I published the book to share the story, hoping it will help people, sensitize people to such situations, which unfortunately many of us face in our lifetimes.
Rima Pande
My father had two successive strokes within a month, leaving him paralyzed neck down and unable to speak. For two years, my mother served him selflessly, supported by amazing family, friends and helpers. She set a positive, respectful, uplifting, happy tone in my father’s hospital at home room, and everyone followed her lead. He was surrounded by people, music, conversation. During this period, I spent many weeks with them. We stared at the constantly changing expressions on his face for clues - was he too hot, too cold, in pain, hungry, uncomfortable, attentive, tired, sleepy, somewhat happy - maybe? We looked deeply into his eyes, searching for direction, pretending to understand what he would like us to do, doing it, and then searching for an almost imperceptible head nod of approval. When he slept, I often sat and looked his face, wondering what was going through his mind, imagining the tumultuous flow of thoughts, trying to immerse myself in his stream of consciousness. This book is a first-person narrative of my father’s unspoken thoughts/ my effort to give voice to my father's unspoken thoughts during the two tumultuous years he was bedridden, interspersed with memories of key life experiences.
Rima Pande
My father had two successive strokes within a month, leaving him paralyzed neck down and unable to speak. For two years, my mother served him selflessly, supported by amazing family, friends and helpers. She set a positive, respectful, uplifting, happy tone in my father’s hospital at home room, and everyone followed her lead. He was surrounded by people, music, conversation. During this period, I spent many weeks with them. We stared at the constantly changing expressions on his face for clues - was he too hot, too cold, in pain, hungry, uncomfortable, attentive, tired, sleepy, somewhat happy - maybe? We looked deeply into his eyes, searching for direction, pretending to understand what he would like us to do, doing it, and then searching for an almost imperceptible head nod of approval. When he slept, I often sat and looked his face, wondering what was going through his mind, imagining the tumultuous flow of thoughts, trying to immerse myself in his stream of consciousness. This book is a first-person narrative of my father’s unspoken thoughts/ my effort to give voice to my father's unspoken thoughts during the two tumultuous years he was bedridden, interspersed with memories of key life experiences.
Rima Pande
I have written one book so far, and that was driven by an innate desire to understand my father's thoughts and emotions during the two years he was paralyzed and unable to speak. I started with a flourish but after a point ran out to steam, feeling very drained, and found it really hard to finish writing. In my case, it was also a very solitary journey, a little atypical.
Rima Pande
The faraway tree and enchanted forest in Enid Blyton's series.
Rima Pande
I like reading books which are rooted in a specific cultural or historic context. Ironically, this summer has been consumed with a new puppy, spending time with my mom, and publishing my own book, so I actually don't have a reading list. My goal is to make a list and read books by authors from every country.
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