Reinventing Emma: The Inspirational Story of a Young Stroke Survivor

by Emma Gee

Emma Gee is one of Australia's acclaimed Inspirational Speakers, offering her thoughts and solutions on client-centred care and resilience through her keynote presentations, workshops and consultancy. With a background in Occupational Therapy and as a Stroke Survivor, Emma is a renowned expert and a living example of what it takes to step in another's shoes and truly bounce back in life. Through her inspiring presentations, Emma is able to both captivate and challenge her audiences to consider what IS possible in their own lives.

Learning to speak again post-stroke, and realising the importance of sharing her story to help others, were the catalysts for Emma taking on speaking professionally. Today, and thousands of presentations later, Emma as an Inspirational Speaker has incredibly broad client from healthcare (associations, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities); businesses and corporate events; community organisations; through to educational facilities. 'Reinventing Emma' is her first book.

Emma is passionate about enhancing client-centred service delivery and resilience in the lives of all she works with and promises to leave her audiences inspired to bounce back and step up. Emma Gee's signature phrase 'it's not what happens to you that matters, it's how you choose to deal with it!' will see her audiences moving past life's hurdles to what's possible.

Genres: Nonfiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2016

Reviews

[Dingus · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt like I was reading a 200-page 14 year old's creative writing piece. From the start you know it's going to be a difficult read in that the cover font makes the book appear to be aimed at pre-teen girls on the subject of kissing boys in movie theatres. Every chapter for the first 100 pages ends with the same attempts to ominously trail off and create suspense, ie. 'nothing was going to get in my way, or so I thought..', 'in a strange way it was a taste of what was to come', etc. Lame. The book is a constant grudge and perpetuating slight against healthcare practitioners despite purporting to be written for them, it's passive aggressive and packed full of inflated stories. The height of the ridiculousness arrives at the point where Emma states hearing nurses 'giggle' at her, before admitting for the first time: "(maybe this is in my head)". If it was in her head, why on earth would she document it in a supposedly honest autobiography? This only serves to paint the professions she is supposedly targeting the book at with more unwarranted disdain and hate. The book is furthermore packed with random interjections of simile and metaphor that feel disjointed and forced, like claiming 'his skin wrinkled like an acorn' between pages of adjective-free event recounting. It feels like she's constantly oscillating between attempting to sound like a humorous, honest person, and an ADHD-prone teen witch who thinks she's a master of prose but cannot muster the horsepower to focus for more than 7 words at a time. The whole thing feels like a rough draft and for all the support her family provided her it's a shame they couldn't proofread it for her.

Honestly, the story is sad, and if you can dig past the amateur writing it tugs on the heart-strings. But the book really, truly sucks.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Gee was an active 24 year old when she discovered she had an AVM in her brain that needed to be removed. During the surgery, Emma suffered a stroke.

This book is her story about life before and after her operation, including years of rehab, learning to walk and talk again, finding her independence, and creating her new "normal".

An inspirational and honest look at what life is like as a patient, especially as she was a medical professional before the stroke, this book should be read by health professionals. It is also a great book for anyone who wants to read a book about an inspirational Aussie.

[Kurt Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strongly independent and highly motivated young woman suffers a brain hemorrhage at 24, then as a result of corrective surgery has a stroke leading to permanent brain damage at what should have been the time in her life where the world was opening up. Rather than becoming a stroke victim she becomes a stroke survivor, then also a motivational speaker; showing others that although this isn't the life you may have planned, life can still be worth living.

This book was deeply personal to me, the first half felt as though I was reliving my own stroke experience, though I count myself lucky with how well I've recovered.

Emma's book is an honest and brave account of her ongoing recovery journey, and everyday experiences with discrimination, and constant frustration.

If you work in health sciences, or have personal experience with Stroke survivors or have suffered trauma yourself then this book comes highly recommended.

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Emma Gee at a literary event and was impressed by her positive attitude. She also talked of the dilemma of being a medical professional as an occupational therapist and later becoming a stroke patient who needed to use those skills. Her role had changed. Viewpoints change too.

Many readers are fearful of tackling an autobiographical account of extreme health issues. But 'Re-inventing Emma' is well crafted, with excellent recall of genuine details. 'Inspirational' is often a word which is over-used, but in this case it is apt.

There's a niche market for medical professionals but also it's a 'how to manage' in terms of attitudes which is relevant for the wider community.

To become a public speaker on author tours is a challenge for anyone, even more so if you've had a stroke.
Highly recommend for twenty-somethings but also for families. A positive and well crafted story. And Emma would be a good speaker for International Women's Day.

[Peter Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book about the inspirational, brave and amazing Emma Gee. It is beautifully written and presented. An amazing story.

[Katrina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring lady, and a great honour to have read this book and learn about Emma's continuing journey after having a stroke. Very motivating and inspiring.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book after listening to Emma give a presentation at my university. Her story is inspiring - I can’t imagine the terror of having a stroke and having to relearn basic tasks like walking, speaking and self-care at age 24 (the same age as me now). Emma provides a valuable and insightful perspective into the challenges often faced by patients and the ways we can approach client-centred care, which is helpful for me to learn as I work towards becoming an OT. I found the writing itself a bit elementary and repetitive but overall really enjoyed reading about Emma’s experience.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

I love reading biographies/autobiographies, and hearing people share their journey to overcoming obstacles in their path. Emma beautifully shares her own story and the reader can easily imagine what a shock this stroke caused to her 24-year-old existence, as she has to learn to walk and talk again.
Emma offers a unique perspective as both occupational therapist and stroke patient. Her motivation and perseverance in her rehab and the way she honestly and candidly tells her story is inspiring. She doesn't hide the challenges, but offers positive reflections regarding what has helped her, what she has learnt and insights to help others better understand the needs of people with disabilities.

[Mebsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book hugely insightful. It should be mandatory reading for anyone in a rehab profession or trying to support others in a mammoth uphill battle. My hat is off to Emma. While sympathising massively with her situation, thank heavens for her book!