Misdiagnosed: My Thirty-Year Struggle with a Debilitating Disorder I Never Had

by Jean Sharon Abbott

As a young girl, Jean sat on the swing as her classmates raced across the playground and wondered "How do they do that?" As a teenager, she watched her friends go off on dates and thought, "Will anyone ever love me?" And when she was a young adult she realized that God has a plan. An absolutely wonderful plan. Jean Abbott's journey from wheels to heels is a powerful and uplifting story of faith and perseverance. As a young child, Jean Sharon Abbott was diagnosed with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. After enduring three decades of countless doctors visits, medical procedures, unnecessary medications and surgeries, she heard the words that changed her life: "You've been misdiagnosed."

Genres: Disability

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

Jean Sharon Abbott was misdiagnosed as a young child with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. After 33 years of countless doctor visits, medical procedures, and unnecessary medications and surgeries, she was correctly diagnosed with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD). Jean now enjoys all the adventures of her new life, but she wouldn’t change the journey that brought her to where she is today. Her positive attitude is highly contagious as she encourages others to appreciate the little things in life.

Since receiving her correct diagnosis, Jean’s story has appeared on the Today show, Yahoo!, and in the UK’s Daily Mail. An overwhelming number of people from around the world have contacted Jean to tell her how inspired they were by her journey from wheels to heels. Jean is a passionate medical advocate who encourages everyone not take the mundane tasks of life for granted.


Whether large or small, Jean is available for speaking engagements across the United States.

Jean lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children.

To view Today Show interview, please visit JeanAbbott.com

Reviews

[Rachel Coyne]

What an amazing life story!

[Dulcie]

I heard Jean speak at a women's event and was excited to read this book. However, when I got down to it I wasn't motivated to read it. Because it was a discussion at our book club at my house I knew I had to start it before I was in a crunch mode. I am so glad I did. This book was really hard to put down and I looked forward to getting back to it.
Misdiagnosed was well written and easy to follow. There were events I could relate to even though I don't have chronic pain or disease. It was heart-wrenching as well as heart-warming, humorous and emotional.
I would recommend this book to any one interested in human struggle, day to day disappointments and joy. We all have experiences that change our lives but we have the choice as to how we relate to those changes. Jean knows how to live graciously,passionately but with conviction. I celebrate her!

[Jennifer]

Jean is my husband's cousin so I knew the story (or I thought that I did). I'm so glad that this book was one of the first that I read this year! I laughed and I cried (even though Jean insists that she doesn't want the reader to feel sorry for her) and I struggled not to share pieces of the story with my husband (since he's going to read it next). Jean is amazing and I'm so thankful that she's shared her story with the world. She really is helping a ton of people understand the daily struggles of life with a physical disability - and helping people find their correct diagnosis.

What a GREAT book! Do yourself a favor & read it!

[Karissa Talks Books]

Actual rating: 3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book, and think it's an interesting read. It's not really something I found I could relate too that well, but if you know someone with a disability they may appreciate this. If you're interested in the medical field this may be interesting to you as well.

The most interesting part about this story is that the author remained positive throughout her whole life and after she got her new diagnosis. It really is inspiring to think that despite all the hardships she endured she remained optimistic. It's something to keep perspective.

[Moni Novak]

This book is totally inspiring. Jean is amazing and her journey is fascinating I think that her story is brave and makes you look at things much differently such as doctor's diagnosis and the way we look at people with disabilities. I cannot believe that 30 years of being misdiagnosed and she still keeps up her faith and spirit.

[Kay Carlson]

Interesting, inspiring topic well written. Have reread copy twice and given copies as gifts.