Product Description

Targeted to patients, their families and allied health students, The “Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders” provides in-depth coverage of neurological diseases and disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, Tourette Syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, vertigo, amnesia and epilepsy. Related topics include communication aids, electric personal assistive mobility devices, medications for treating neurological diseases and conditions, understanding the needs of Alzheimer patient caregivers and more. This two-volume set provides an alternative to resources that either fail to explore neurological disease in any depth and or do so at a level not appropriate for students and general readers.

Product Description

One Tuesday afternoon Allen Rucker, Hollywood comedy writer and family man, wakes from a nap to find himself paralyzed from the waist down. Shocking? Yes. Unfair? Absolutely. Reality? Inescapably. Rucker is shaken up and angry, but soon realizes he's stuck in a wheelchair forever. He begins to reevaluate everything in his life, from the simplest bodily functions to the mysteries of the universe. Luckily, he's invited us along on the bumpy, poignant, and often hilarious road to recovery that leads him to completely redefine his life.

Customer Reviews (39)

Gives a lot of perspective.
My dad is in a wheelchair much of the time due to severe arthritis and spinal stenosis.As the person behind the chair when he's unable to take the motorized one with us, I've noticed a variety of behaviors from those around us.I read this book to get more insight on the view from the chair.I thought this author was great at educating those of us who have not been there.One reviewer mentioned that he whined and pitied himself - well, one would think that's a normal response!He admits that he needed to go through a grieving period - which included some of all that - but seems to me that he's come out on the other side with a great attitude and a good way of helping the rest of us interact appropriately.

I was once out to dinner with my dad.He sat next to me in his wheelchair.The waitress said, "Is he ready for his ice cream?"I said I didn't know - kind of pointedly looking at her strangely.She said, "Oh, I'm sorry!I thought he was with you."I replied, "He is with me, but I don't know if he's ready for his ice cream."I hope she got the message that being in a wheelchair does not necessarily make one incapable of such a decision!

Rucker points out some of the things we do...when we haven't been there, in the chair or behind it.His attitude and information make an enjoyable and helpful read.

The Best Seat In The House
I gave this book to my brother-in-law who also happens to be paralyzed.He enjoyed the book very much as he could personally relate to being put in the same situation.

The Best Seat in the House
It was probably a good release of Rucker's emotions.If felt all he did was whine.

Great info given in a great way!
Having just recently been told I will have to be in a wheelchair to save what is left of my legs due to polio, I was really interested in what this book had to say.I had read a review in the New Mobility magazine and it got my curiosity aroused.I ended up getting it from our local library and read it in almost one sitting!It seemed to strike a "nerve" with me - I just turned 53, having had a very busy and enjoyable life - built my own house, was a scuba diver, kayaker, bicyclist, raised two active boys, etc - then, as polio caught up to me, I am finding that I need to use more and more "help" to just get through the day.That was a very disturbing and somewhat depressing thought, to me.But, if I was going to make what I had left last for many more years, I knew I had to do it. So, I am moving into a wheelchair, using hand controls on my van, using a crutch all the time, etc.It was a bummer, in my mind.Then, along comes Allen's book and my mind was turned upside down!I found a kindred spirit in Allen, and just loved his sense of humor, his somewhatacerbic wit, and his learning to look beyond the terrible things that his body had done to him and focus on the positive things.Yes, it is not always positive, and he made that very clear, but there are ways to look at just about everything that make it easier or funnier or reflective.I found myself cheering for him when he made those "steps" of discovery - dealing with his work, his house, his wife, his mother-in-law (I was crying laughing!), his kids, his bitterness, his anger.I bought this book because I know that I will read it again and I have recommended it to many of my walking friends, as well - we all have disabilities, in one way or another, and learning to live with them is a great lesson.Allen Rucker has done that and has described a way that worked for him and will work for many others -

The Best Seat in the House by Allen Rucker
A truly amazing book - very well written.Allen Rucker's account of overcoming adversity is a great story of courage, bravery and perseverance.A must read for everyone! ... Read more