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Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties
An inspiring guide to staying in control of your health care, your life, and your dreams despite having chronic illness, by a popular journalist and award-winning blogger.
Twenty-seven-year-old Laurie Edwards is one of 125 million Americans who have a chronic illness, in her case a rare genetic respiratory disease. Because of medical advances in the treatment of serious childhood diseases, 600,000 chronically ill teens enter adulthood every year who decades ago would not have survived―they and people diagnosed in adulthood face the same challenges of college, career, and starting a family as others in their twenties and thirties, but with the added circumstance of having chronic illness.
Life Disrupted is a personal and unflinching guide to living well with a chronic managing your own health care without letting it take over your life, dealing with difficult doctors and frequent hospitalizations, having a productive and satisfying career that accommodates your health needs, and nurturing friendships and a loving, committed relationship regardless of recurring health problems. Laurie Edwards also addresses the particular needs of people who have more than one chronic illness or who are among the twenty-five million Americans with a rare disorder. She shares her own story and the experiences of others with chronic illness, as well as advice from life coaches, employment specialists, and health professionals.
Reading Life Disrupted is like having a best friend and mentor who truly does know what you're going through.
Twenty-seven-year-old Laurie Edwards is one of 125 million Americans who have a chronic illness, in her case a rare genetic respiratory disease. Because of medical advances in the treatment of serious childhood diseases, 600,000 chronically ill teens enter adulthood every year who decades ago would not have survived―they and people diagnosed in adulthood face the same challenges of college, career, and starting a family as others in their twenties and thirties, but with the added circumstance of having chronic illness.
Life Disrupted is a personal and unflinching guide to living well with a chronic managing your own health care without letting it take over your life, dealing with difficult doctors and frequent hospitalizations, having a productive and satisfying career that accommodates your health needs, and nurturing friendships and a loving, committed relationship regardless of recurring health problems. Laurie Edwards also addresses the particular needs of people who have more than one chronic illness or who are among the twenty-five million Americans with a rare disorder. She shares her own story and the experiences of others with chronic illness, as well as advice from life coaches, employment specialists, and health professionals.
Reading Life Disrupted is like having a best friend and mentor who truly does know what you're going through.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2008
22 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Edwards
17 books23 followersLaurie Edwards is the author of Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties (Walker, 2008). She is a health journalist whose personal essays and articles have appeared in the Boston Globe Magazine, Glamour, and many other outlets, including her award-winning literary health blog, www.achronicdose.com. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her MFA from Emerson College, and she teaches writing at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 15, 2009
She's annoying. A more thorough introduction to the other people with chronic illnesses she talks about would have been nice. Also, since everyone she talks to has been sick since childhood, she completely fails to address the issue of getting sidelined by a diagnosis you never expected.
September 20, 2008
I felt like this book had sort of an identity crisis. It mostly seemed to be a memoir of the author's experience with chronic illnesses that she had since birth but trying to focus on experiences that chronic illnesses affect in young adults. However, it was clear she was trying to make it more of a self-help book hoping to use her experiences to illustrate how to cope with these issues. She also interviewed people with some other illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and fibromyalgia, but these people's experiences were mentioned merely in passing throughout the book. Although she did have some good things to say I had a hard time relating to this book. Most of the people in this book including the author herself had actually been sick since they were kids, which I think give them a different experience than someone like me who actually got sick in her 20's. I feel like for the other people she interviewed she should have had more people like that instead of almost solely people who had been experiencing illness almost their whole lives like she had.
October 2, 2013
I was really excited when this book was available at the library but the more I read, the less excited I felt. The narrative floated between informative, memoir and journalistic interviews but it didn't really exceed in any of these genres. All the people interviewed for the book seem similar in while they are dealing with something horrible they aren't worried about money which is a very real concern for many people dealing with chronic illness. They all seem very educated and can afford to go back to school to change careers and have supportive partners, friends and family. The author discusses her personal decisions, for example the decision to have a child but as a reader I still have no idea what her pros and cons were and what she felt as she was making the decision. I felt like the narrative told me about chronically ill and disabled people but it never showed me the lives of these people and the feelings that come along with this life. As a person dealing with a chronic condition and disability I was really hoping for some insight and a peek into how other people in similar situations cope but after finishing the book I found myself still looking. There is a great list if resources in the back that I am thankful the author included and plan to checkout.
March 24, 2010
As a young woman with chronic illnesses, this book was invaluable to me. Not necessarily for any suggestions it offered, though there were a few I took to heart, but just for the acknowledgment of a shared experience. Being sick is a lonely place to be sometimes, and it helps me to see that other people are going through similar trials and have the same fears as I. Whether the writing itself deserves 4 stars, I don't know. But it helped me feel normal again, and that's worth a lot right now.
November 15, 2009
This review has been moved to: http://bit.ly/Z2lng6
March 6, 2012
I didn't get all the way through this book before I had to turn it in to the library, but I definitely want to pick it up again. I didn't really see this as a "self-help" book, and it definitely wasn't a "woe is me" or a self-pity book. It was kind of a strategic guide for coping with chronic illness. Some aspects might have had a self-help flavor such as making sure that you advocate for yourself, knowing that it was ok to lay down the law about getting your vitals taken when you were in for something routine, but some portions taught covert methods of sneaking in laptop cables, and gave directions on how to hide them under blankets when discouraging nurses might walk by.
The only downside is that the book's style is not one that is really one to sit and read through, which is what I was hoping for. I more felt like it was one that was to be read in sections - they didn't necessarily flow together or transition very well. Independently, each section was good, and perhaps this was done intentionally so that the information from each chapter could be absorbed/processed, but it made it difficult for me to get through the book without owning it and being able to read it really at my own pace without a deadline. It also meant that it couldn't be my "only" book that I was reading at the time.
The only downside is that the book's style is not one that is really one to sit and read through, which is what I was hoping for. I more felt like it was one that was to be read in sections - they didn't necessarily flow together or transition very well. Independently, each section was good, and perhaps this was done intentionally so that the information from each chapter could be absorbed/processed, but it made it difficult for me to get through the book without owning it and being able to read it really at my own pace without a deadline. It also meant that it couldn't be my "only" book that I was reading at the time.
July 9, 2008
Living with chronic illness in your twenties and thirties can be difficult. During this time, most people are planning careers, families, and financial stability. Many with chronic illnesses are also planning those things, but also have to balance doctor appointments, emergency room visits, and battles with health insurance companies.
Using her own experiences as a person with multiple rare conditions, Laurie Edwards explores early adulthood complicated by chronic illness. Not only does she document her growth out of a pediatric patient into an adult patient, but she interviews others who have made the same long leap. Those who weren’t afflicted as children are also covered, highlighting the problems faced when you must adapt to a chronic condition in order to thrive or survive.
Every aspect of life is covered - from developing a health care team to maintaining an active social life to creating a career that is fulfilling AND flexible. In other words, this is an inspiring guide to keeping it all together in spite of the challenges that chronic illness brings.
Using her own experiences as a person with multiple rare conditions, Laurie Edwards explores early adulthood complicated by chronic illness. Not only does she document her growth out of a pediatric patient into an adult patient, but she interviews others who have made the same long leap. Those who weren’t afflicted as children are also covered, highlighting the problems faced when you must adapt to a chronic condition in order to thrive or survive.
Every aspect of life is covered - from developing a health care team to maintaining an active social life to creating a career that is fulfilling AND flexible. In other words, this is an inspiring guide to keeping it all together in spite of the challenges that chronic illness brings.
October 18, 2008
I enjoyed this book quite a bit - reading about others' experiences with chronic illness in their 20s and 30s. Additionally, the author covered many of the different issues chronic illness brings up in that time of life.
If I wished for one thing in this book, it was a discussion on those who became chronically ill in their 20s and 30s. That was more of what I expected, but most of the experiences represented were of those who were chronically ill through childhood, as well. Of course this perspective was helpful as well, I would have just enjoyed more discussion on adapting to a new world.
If I wished for one thing in this book, it was a discussion on those who became chronically ill in their 20s and 30s. That was more of what I expected, but most of the experiences represented were of those who were chronically ill through childhood, as well. Of course this perspective was helpful as well, I would have just enjoyed more discussion on adapting to a new world.
January 25, 2010
Full disclosure: A friend wrote this book, so I may not have the most objective review. Having said that, while not affected by chronic illness myself, others experiencing a wide spectrum of chronic illnesses have impacted my life both personally and professionally. I picked up this book to gain a greater understanding of their struggles and, through this understanding, to become a more empathetic friend and colleague. Edwards does a great job in conveying the broad range of issues those with chronic illness face, both on a daily basis and long-reaching lifelong goals. Also, it's often quite a funny and touching read, with warm and witty prose. I read it in two days and enjoyed every page.
July 25, 2009
I apprecited the point of view from this book, but I really felt that she could have delved deeper on the topics and provided more examples, suggestions, and research. But I love that she spoke about having a chronic illness in college. I just felt that she could have done more, it's as if she just skimmed the surface. But I would definitely suggest reading this book if you have chronic illness and are young.
September 8, 2014
Although I'm no longer in my 20s or 30s, I found this book insightful for anyone living with chronic illness. Many of the topics are relevant no matter your decade in life. And the author clearly has an analytical approach to the real-life situations she shares, including but not limited to her own experiences. On the other hand, this isn't all black & white, dry science. It's about the realities of living with chronic illness, and Edwards strikes just the right balance between witty and wise.
October 13, 2019
This book was very validating for me. It confirmed that: 1. I'm not a wimp. 2. I'm not alone in my experiences, and 3. The struggle is real.
January 11, 2020
I finished this a couple of days ago, but haven't been in the right headspace for a proper (or halfway decent) review.
With that said, I liked this. It's rare to find books about lifelong chronic illness, written by those with the illness (or illnesses)--and especially rare to find a book written by someone who has a *rare* chronic illness. And in Laurie Edwards' case, she has a rare respiratory illness. Who else does? Me. Yeah, so. From the start, you can note my own bias towards getting this book from the library!
Many of the book's chapters had solid advice, and the perspective of someone who struggled with a diagnosis and all that comes with it. How to advocate for yourself, in and out of the hospital setting, how to live your life while managing several chronic illnesses, how to recognize where your own focus should be in life...not feeling like a burden, not letting people treat you unfairly because of your often unrecognized invisible illness status, etc.
I really needed to read something like this, especially as of late. My only dislikes about the book is that the chapters often seemed too short, in that they felt more like snippets of a blog post. And with that said, the other individuals with chronic illness that Laurie Edwards interviewed had their stories condensed to brief snippets as well. I would've liked to read more about their experiences, and heard from their voices--so to speak. :')
She includes a helpful bibliography at the end of the book, and honestly, there ARE really helpful tips and suggestions here for people who were diagnosed LATER in life with a chronic illness. But, because Laurie Edwards has been chronically ill for her entire life, that is where her perspective comes from, and what she primarily writes about...not the latter. The back of the book's blurb does in no way state that a lot of her focus is on people who were diagnosed later in life--they still matter, you still matter, your story DOES matter--but. Come on. There is such a thing as being chronically ill from childhood and having your life feeling upended in your 20s and 30s, when we are often pressured to build a career, start a family, etc. All things that can be even more challenging when chronically ill (and aging out of the pediatric hospitals, oof. I understood that all too well.).
Anyway, this was a good book overall, even if it left me feeling a bit disappointed with the blog-style chapters. I still want to check out more of her work!
With that said, I liked this. It's rare to find books about lifelong chronic illness, written by those with the illness (or illnesses)--and especially rare to find a book written by someone who has a *rare* chronic illness. And in Laurie Edwards' case, she has a rare respiratory illness. Who else does? Me. Yeah, so. From the start, you can note my own bias towards getting this book from the library!
Many of the book's chapters had solid advice, and the perspective of someone who struggled with a diagnosis and all that comes with it. How to advocate for yourself, in and out of the hospital setting, how to live your life while managing several chronic illnesses, how to recognize where your own focus should be in life...not feeling like a burden, not letting people treat you unfairly because of your often unrecognized invisible illness status, etc.
I really needed to read something like this, especially as of late. My only dislikes about the book is that the chapters often seemed too short, in that they felt more like snippets of a blog post. And with that said, the other individuals with chronic illness that Laurie Edwards interviewed had their stories condensed to brief snippets as well. I would've liked to read more about their experiences, and heard from their voices--so to speak. :')
She includes a helpful bibliography at the end of the book, and honestly, there ARE really helpful tips and suggestions here for people who were diagnosed LATER in life with a chronic illness. But, because Laurie Edwards has been chronically ill for her entire life, that is where her perspective comes from, and what she primarily writes about...not the latter. The back of the book's blurb does in no way state that a lot of her focus is on people who were diagnosed later in life--they still matter, you still matter, your story DOES matter--but. Come on. There is such a thing as being chronically ill from childhood and having your life feeling upended in your 20s and 30s, when we are often pressured to build a career, start a family, etc. All things that can be even more challenging when chronically ill (and aging out of the pediatric hospitals, oof. I understood that all too well.).
Anyway, this was a good book overall, even if it left me feeling a bit disappointed with the blog-style chapters. I still want to check out more of her work!
May 3, 2018
Reading this book was a reality check- the author and some of her friends who committed to the writing of this book are living with a variety of chronic illnesses, from cyctic fibrosis to chronic pancreatitis to fibromyalgia. Obviously, the symptoms, treatments and lifestyle adjustments of these different diagnoses span the spectrum of pain and farigue to frequent hospitalizations and severely decreased life expectancies. That said, despite the differences in disease severity and mentality, this book distinguishes itself by addressing issues that affect patients in ways that medical books rarely do. It focuses on topics like how illness affects personal relationships with family, significant others, work, regular life versus just health. It pulls no punches about the difficulties faced by not only patients dealing with chronic illness, but marriages dealing with them, parents dealing with them, children dealing with ill parents. It shines a light on how yes, disease makes everything different, but no, not impossible. I am not as sick as many people written about in this book. I am fortunate that I haven't had to become familiar with hospitalizations and daily monitoring of vital signs and careful diet restrictions. But I was able to relate to the strain of being the sick half of a partnership and the guilt and gratitude that comes with it. I needed to read about the perspectives from parents and spouses and children who live with sick loved ones. I appreciated learning about how to approach bosses, potential employers ir employees about the limitations that illnesses may impose and how people with illnesses can work around that to still be valuable workers.
These are the situations, these are the people, the parts of life, that make it worth going forward despite the shitty hand in health chronically ill people face. This is a great book with a much needed and oft ignored perspective on patient experience. 4 stars.
These are the situations, these are the people, the parts of life, that make it worth going forward despite the shitty hand in health chronically ill people face. This is a great book with a much needed and oft ignored perspective on patient experience. 4 stars.
July 23, 2017
Chronic illness can be really lonely because oftentimes we don't have anyone to talk to about it and share experiences. This book really helped with that feeling, especially since the author is also young like me and has a severe rare lung disease, among other problems. Simply reading it was therapeutic. She also has a lot of good advice about how to structure a life with chronic illness and manage it emotionally to get the most out of your life. In particular, I appreciated the chapters about chronic illness and higher education, and starting a career as a young person. I also like how each chapter is very short and can be read in less than 5 minutes, which is perfect for someone with limited energy. With that said, the structure of the book is pretty disorganized, and it is much heavier on the memoir compared to concrete advice, so I wouldn't get this book if you are looking mostly for concrete steps to take. Lastly, as the author herself freely admits, some of the advice is only feasible for people like her, who come from middle-to-upper-middle-class backgrounds with a stable family/social support system. Obviously a lot of people with chronic illness do not have this and don't have the ability to rely on marriage partners or family for financial assistance or health insurance. So I would say this book doesn't have much advice for people in that situation. Nevertheless I think for any young person with chronic illness, it could be helpful to read this book and know that you are not alone.
January 11, 2018
This book is interesting, but I agree with some other reviewers, the title is deceptive. I was under the impression that the book would focus on new diagnoses in your 20’s or 30’s. I was diagnosed with a chronic disease at that age, thus my interest.
However, the author does a good job of sharing ideas about how to maneuver the hospital experience, identifies some very valid dating and relationship issues, and even shares some good perspectives on being the patient.
My niece has a daughter who was born with a congenital disease similar to Cystic Fibrosis. I think this would be a good book for her to read so she can peak into the life her child may experience. And, her daughter would likely find it beneficial as she grows older.
It’s not a bad book, but the focus is not you may expect.
However, the author does a good job of sharing ideas about how to maneuver the hospital experience, identifies some very valid dating and relationship issues, and even shares some good perspectives on being the patient.
My niece has a daughter who was born with a congenital disease similar to Cystic Fibrosis. I think this would be a good book for her to read so she can peak into the life her child may experience. And, her daughter would likely find it beneficial as she grows older.
It’s not a bad book, but the focus is not you may expect.
July 17, 2019
The title is very misleading, as the author (and the people she interviews) has dealt with chronic illness well before her 20s. As a result, it isn't so much a book about life being disrupted by chronic illness as it is advice for how to navigate through your 20s and 30s with a chronic illness. As well, she focuses on more serious and life threatening chronic diseases, as that is where her personal experience comes from. The book is also very much American based. Regardless, there were still moments of valuable advice and a lot of validation of feelings, frustrations, and experiences that happen to those who are chronically ill.
Read
September 25, 2022I read this in 2008. I came across notes I took about it saying that it was “a book that has profoundly touched my life.” It bears witness to the struggles I had trying to work with many of the doctors in our conventional medical system, and the very early beginnings of learning to trust myself.
Looking back on the notes I took now, I am sure I would feel drastically different if I read this again based on all I have experienced and come to know over the last 14 years. However, it served a purpose at the time and helped lead me to where I am today.
Looking back on the notes I took now, I am sure I would feel drastically different if I read this again based on all I have experienced and come to know over the last 14 years. However, it served a purpose at the time and helped lead me to where I am today.
February 17, 2020
This is a very relatable book for those of us with chronic illnesses. I really enjoyed that it touches on a variety of subjects, from work to relationships with significant others and friends. Also, I really like that it touches on multiple conditions throughout the book, I appreciated that a lot. Would highly recommend it!
September 20, 2018
Worth reading if you have a chronic illness or if you care for someone with a chronic illness.
August 12, 2020
4.5/5
brief chapters, accessible writing, simple yet profound lessons, a joy to read
brief chapters, accessible writing, simple yet profound lessons, a joy to read
March 12, 2024
This is really more of a memoir than a self-help book. It's well written, but really more about Edward's experience with chronic illness than coping with illness as a young adult.
January 31, 2025
It was good but she talked about herself a lot more than I expected.
March 16, 2013
I am very excited for the first #spooniebookclub which is to be held tomorrow night at 8 P.M. (GMT) over on Twitter. The first book that was chosen was one which we will all would relate to - a book which examines what it is like to live with a chronic illness - and as we were all under the age of 30 - this book seemed to be the perfect fit for us all.
Interestingly, after a discussion with a fellow book group member; we both felt that the writing style of the author felt rushed and forced as if she was merely writing down her thoughts as they came to her. However, what if we were to look at it differently - as patients, we often have to wait a long time for answers; to get a diagnosis, wait for appointments. So, isn't it refreshing for a book about chronic illness to get straight to the point; to be concise and compact. Each chapter is short, making it very easy to read little chunks when the reader feels up to it. Fantastic for those like me who tire very easily but still like to read before going to bed.
The book I found was very relatable and encompasses the chronic illness experience beautifully - the author cleverly also uses several other patients and their personal experiences of living with chronic illness; each with a variety of different conditions. In my opinion, this was a very smart move, as the range of conditions which can be considered as 'chronic' is large, and by including a variety of different conditions, the books feel even more relatable - if you are not able to relate to one person for a reason, then there will be another person included that you may relate your experience to.
The book encompasses everything that a person living with a chronic illness in their twenties and thirties are likely to experience in their life - leaving college or university and starting the path to their chosen career; making and maintaining friendships; starting romantic relationships and sustaining them, as well as the experience of chronic illness - hospitalisations, the patient experience both in hospital and in the 'real world'. Much of the book, I found reflected on life in the hospital - and as a someone with a chronic illness that does not require frequent hospitalisations, I felt that it somehow didn't apply to my experience of illness. However, the author does describe how 'one of the only predictable things about chronic illness is its unpredictability'; which I feel captures my experience of chronic illness beautifully - I never know how I am going to feel hour by hour, or day by day; and furthermore find planning activities and social gatherings very difficult as I never know if I will be able to attend, and if I do, often need to cancel such plans as I feel to unwell to go anywhere.
The only problem that I found with the book, is the obvious differences between the healthcare system between the UK and US. Some of the book talks about the major financial implications that chronic illness causes; something which thankfully, we living in the United Kingdom have to worry about. However, in contrast to this, the author also describes the relationships and contact with her medical team - often with patients being able to email or have easier contact when needed - which unfortunately does not encapsulate the experience with doctors or nurses here in the UK - instead my experiences have been one of long waiting times to see a medical practitioner, and having the hardest time to speak to a doctor even on the phone when things have become bad.
Overall, the book is very well written, and with the concise and compact chapters, makes it very easy to read in small chunks. Reading it, I found some of my own experiences being fed back to me, as if 'finally, someone understands exactly what I go through'. The book was very easy to read, and managed to read the entire book in only a couple of days and really delves into the experiences of chronic illness that matter most in your twenties and thirties.
Review can be found at: http://wp.me/p274oG-ki
Interestingly, after a discussion with a fellow book group member; we both felt that the writing style of the author felt rushed and forced as if she was merely writing down her thoughts as they came to her. However, what if we were to look at it differently - as patients, we often have to wait a long time for answers; to get a diagnosis, wait for appointments. So, isn't it refreshing for a book about chronic illness to get straight to the point; to be concise and compact. Each chapter is short, making it very easy to read little chunks when the reader feels up to it. Fantastic for those like me who tire very easily but still like to read before going to bed.
The book I found was very relatable and encompasses the chronic illness experience beautifully - the author cleverly also uses several other patients and their personal experiences of living with chronic illness; each with a variety of different conditions. In my opinion, this was a very smart move, as the range of conditions which can be considered as 'chronic' is large, and by including a variety of different conditions, the books feel even more relatable - if you are not able to relate to one person for a reason, then there will be another person included that you may relate your experience to.
The book encompasses everything that a person living with a chronic illness in their twenties and thirties are likely to experience in their life - leaving college or university and starting the path to their chosen career; making and maintaining friendships; starting romantic relationships and sustaining them, as well as the experience of chronic illness - hospitalisations, the patient experience both in hospital and in the 'real world'. Much of the book, I found reflected on life in the hospital - and as a someone with a chronic illness that does not require frequent hospitalisations, I felt that it somehow didn't apply to my experience of illness. However, the author does describe how 'one of the only predictable things about chronic illness is its unpredictability'; which I feel captures my experience of chronic illness beautifully - I never know how I am going to feel hour by hour, or day by day; and furthermore find planning activities and social gatherings very difficult as I never know if I will be able to attend, and if I do, often need to cancel such plans as I feel to unwell to go anywhere.
The only problem that I found with the book, is the obvious differences between the healthcare system between the UK and US. Some of the book talks about the major financial implications that chronic illness causes; something which thankfully, we living in the United Kingdom have to worry about. However, in contrast to this, the author also describes the relationships and contact with her medical team - often with patients being able to email or have easier contact when needed - which unfortunately does not encapsulate the experience with doctors or nurses here in the UK - instead my experiences have been one of long waiting times to see a medical practitioner, and having the hardest time to speak to a doctor even on the phone when things have become bad.
Overall, the book is very well written, and with the concise and compact chapters, makes it very easy to read in small chunks. Reading it, I found some of my own experiences being fed back to me, as if 'finally, someone understands exactly what I go through'. The book was very easy to read, and managed to read the entire book in only a couple of days and really delves into the experiences of chronic illness that matter most in your twenties and thirties.
Review can be found at: http://wp.me/p274oG-ki
March 20, 2012
I really wanted to rate this book 5 out of 5 because I did find the author's story of chronic illness engaging and at times inspiring. The second half of the book was quite engaging and dealt with the topics of most interest to me as a chronic pain patient. But I had a problem while reading this book. The biggest issue I had is that I thought it would feature a variety of individuals (more than a handful) in an array of situations (single, divorced, married, married w/ children, etc.) instead only a handful of people's experiences that end up sprinkled throughout the book. There is only one male patient represented in the entire book. Not cool. And mostly happily married couples are featured. That's wonderful and all but since the author did bring up the high divorce rate among those dealing w/ chronic illness, why not include a few folks dealing w/ divorce or post-divorce in your book? And the single gal/guys in 20-30s? Not all of us are lucky enough to find Mr. Right or Mrs. Right right away and we have to deal w/ our issues solo or with help (move in w/ friends, relatives, etc.).
I honestly thought this would be a nonfiction piece directed at chronic illness patients in their 20-30s and yet age is rarely even mentioned. The author provides her parents as examples of a chronic illness couple (they rock -- they sound awesome! They do!) I just wanted to learn about people in my age range as the title suggests. I think this book wanted to be two things and in the end it's misleading to readers who pick it up. It should have been 1) either a memoir or 2) a collection of stories from people in their 20-30s.
With all that said, I give it marks for being well-written. The book is a valuable resource on the topic on chronic illness. It's just that it is in a more memoir form with a few other chronic illness sufferers featured to add depth to the overall chronic experience (?) I honestly don't know. That is my issue w/ the book. That should not be title then. Frustrating!
Maybe I am missing something. There is vauable information for those who may pick this up who have just been
diagnosed with a chronic illness. Both patients and caregivers can benefit from reading this. It has many wise nuggets
of information that help the patient see that she/he is not alone.
I honestly thought this would be a nonfiction piece directed at chronic illness patients in their 20-30s and yet age is rarely even mentioned. The author provides her parents as examples of a chronic illness couple (they rock -- they sound awesome! They do!) I just wanted to learn about people in my age range as the title suggests. I think this book wanted to be two things and in the end it's misleading to readers who pick it up. It should have been 1) either a memoir or 2) a collection of stories from people in their 20-30s.
With all that said, I give it marks for being well-written. The book is a valuable resource on the topic on chronic illness. It's just that it is in a more memoir form with a few other chronic illness sufferers featured to add depth to the overall chronic experience (?) I honestly don't know. That is my issue w/ the book. That should not be title then. Frustrating!
Maybe I am missing something. There is vauable information for those who may pick this up who have just been
diagnosed with a chronic illness. Both patients and caregivers can benefit from reading this. It has many wise nuggets
of information that help the patient see that she/he is not alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2016
If you're expecting this book to solve your life problems and teach you how to make life as it is for "healthy" people, don't. I think my favorite part about this book is that it gives resources and experiences about different issues and says, 'X, Y, and Z might make it easier, but sometimes shit just sucks and you'll have to use the resilience chronic illness has taught you to get through it.' It was a great push out of the mindset of how-can-I-MAKE-this-work to a realization that life's about luck, compromise, and a million other balancing acts. Failure isn't always avoidable, so we just need to keep trying our best. Even if our best seems lackluster, it's not; we're doing what we can like everybody else. There's a really lovely undertone of acceptance in here that I appreciate without just saying, "ACCEPT IT."
My second favorite part was that it felt like I was sitting down for a conversation with someone who understands. It was completely validating and fulfilling.
I also liked that the sections are short which is fantastic for brain fog and reading in waiting rooms. The sections weren't exactly concise, but I thought each had a pretty good takeaway while remaining general enough that they were widely applicable without being overwhelming.
Is it the perfect book that accounts for every possible issue? Absolutely not. Chronic illnesses are so varied, and our experiences with them are even more varied than that. She can't cover EVERYTHING, but she made it pretty comprehensive and relatable for a myriad of issue. There are things I would've liked to have been touched on more (like adapting to a new chronic illness without childhood experience, managing school and work without hospitalizations to excuse you, etc...), but really... I think she did a great job with this book, and anything more I wanted is probably too specific for a general book like this anyway. This was a great intro to books about chronic illness though, so even if it didn't answer all of my questions, it has at least spurred me to read more books that might.
My second favorite part was that it felt like I was sitting down for a conversation with someone who understands. It was completely validating and fulfilling.
I also liked that the sections are short which is fantastic for brain fog and reading in waiting rooms. The sections weren't exactly concise, but I thought each had a pretty good takeaway while remaining general enough that they were widely applicable without being overwhelming.
Is it the perfect book that accounts for every possible issue? Absolutely not. Chronic illnesses are so varied, and our experiences with them are even more varied than that. She can't cover EVERYTHING, but she made it pretty comprehensive and relatable for a myriad of issue. There are things I would've liked to have been touched on more (like adapting to a new chronic illness without childhood experience, managing school and work without hospitalizations to excuse you, etc...), but really... I think she did a great job with this book, and anything more I wanted is probably too specific for a general book like this anyway. This was a great intro to books about chronic illness though, so even if it didn't answer all of my questions, it has at least spurred me to read more books that might.
November 29, 2011
This is listed as a Health and Self-Help book. I agree it pertains to heath, but as far as self-help, I feel like it was mostly the author helping herself. Combining the memoir genre with self-help just didn't work great here. I found her continuing assertions that she has matured past x, y or z to get annoying. Perhaps I would have identified more had I actually had a chronic *illness. Rather, I have chronic pain of mysterious origin, which struck in my mid-30s. I still prefer the book Chocolate and Vicodin, with which I identified much more. (It was in C and V that I saw this book listed under suggested resources). Still, there were areas where I underlined passages because she did hit home in a few areas for me. The last thing I want to do is sound mean. I'm happy the author has been able to find a better balance between work and illness, for instance. It's just that for me, this book wasn't the self-help I needed.
September 26, 2015
Written in short chapters with a theme clearly printed on the first page of the chapter, this book take a no-nonsense look at real issues facing young adults dealing with chronic illness. So many other books focus on how to deal with family and friends, or how to deal with the adjustment in daily living; this book talks about dating, financial responsibility, relationships with friends and family, being your own advocate, dealing with medical communities, college, getting and keeping a job, having and raising children, and much more. The author uses her own experiences as well as those of other people in the 20-30s to illustrate her points and provide support for those trying to navigate these unfamiliar waters. A must-read for anyone dealing with chronic illness who wants an idea of how other people deal with it, the permission to be scared and sad, and the support to live a fulfilling life with chronic illness.
February 10, 2016
If you're looking for a self-help sort of book, you'll want to look elsewhere; rather, this will mostly provide you with a sense of relief that there are people like you, thinking about similar issues, dealing with similar problems. The book is broken up into three different sections- one dealing with medical realities, one dealing with professional and public living, and a final one dealing with relationships- all of which bring something worthwhile to the table. Personally, as someone who has had a chronic illness for eleven years, I found the section on relationships to be the most useful, just because I found it useful to know that other people with chronic illnesses think about the same sort of things. This is definitely directed at a younger set, people who are working on building their lives rather than maintaining a status quo. While I personally would have enjoyed more personal anecdotes, from the author or the people she spoke to, it was still a good book to read.
November 25, 2014
Life Disrupted isn't really a guide to staying in control of your chronic illness, but it does provide a lot of insightful information from an award winning blogger and journalist that is chronically ill with a rare genetic respiratory disease. This is the second book I've read by Laurie Edwards, and it's like reading about my own personal struggles with chronic illness.
Edwards doesn't really provide information about how to manage your own health care, but she does write about how important it is about being an advocate for your own health. More than anything, it's good for me to know that I am not alone in everything that I feel/think about being chronically ill, and I sincerely hope that she continues writing about her journey in life.
Edwards doesn't really provide information about how to manage your own health care, but she does write about how important it is about being an advocate for your own health. More than anything, it's good for me to know that I am not alone in everything that I feel/think about being chronically ill, and I sincerely hope that she continues writing about her journey in life.
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