Rating: 
Summary: Thanks for the insight.....
Review: I could not put this book down. As one that lives with an illness that decided one day to take the wheel of my life and start driving a different direction, I was aghast that one with seemingly reasonable resources could not get some miracle help because of his connections. But he was treated like a great many of us. I was at first angry as I thought that here was someone that just wanted to set the record straight about why his wife, a journalist, and very nice woman, from what I have seen of her on tv,..again I thought it was going to be an excuse book about why she is currently in the limelight and not him. But read further, and you will be emotionally entangled and understand. I loved the book. I wish I could meet this man. I think he could give me a lot of advice. I cried, I was angry, and most of all, I still wonder why some of us who really want to do so much for others in this world, and start out running hard,.... end up with a cane in hand or some other handicap that disallows us the complete joy that I thought I was going to create in my life by being able to help others as I had been doing until my own illness hit. I am not completely through the book,but I was up because of symptoms I have with my own struggle, so I decided to write this and say that I live every day with an attitude of not giving up, but it is damn hard. People around you think that you are no longer of use, especially in my field. Those around me have their own problems, I do know that, but if you have your health, please understand what a gift you have. Thank you Richard Cohen, and your supporting family.
Rating:
Summary: Positive Attitude!
Review: I have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis since 1994, though doctors think I've had it since I was a teen. I was very moved by Richard's account of his life with MS. He is a very eloquent speaker, which is what he does here, speak, not just write. He spoke to my soul as I am sure he did to many of us with MS. It did take me some time to read this book, just because it reminds me of things I sometimes wish to forget, but then we all need reminders sometimes. It also really drives home the fact that there are always people worse off than I, and I try to concentrate on that fact in my life. His wife and family are a wonderful example of how strong people can be in the face of adversity. Many with MS do not have this gift, and I wish them all well in life's journey.
Kathy
Rating:
Summary: Positive Attitude!
Review: I have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis since 1994, though doctors think I've had it since I was a teen. I was very moved by Richard's account of his life with MS. He is a very eloquent speaker, which is what he does here, speak, not just write. He spoke to my soul as I am sure he did to many of us with MS. It did take me some time to read this book, just because it reminds me of things I sometimes wish to forget, but then we all need reminders sometimes. It also really drives home the fact that there are always people worse off than I, and I try to concentrate on that fact in my life. His wife and family are a wonderful example of how strong people can be in the face of adversity. Many with MS do not have this gift, and I wish them all well in life's journey.
Kathy
Rating:
Summary: Poignant and Moving
Review: I have never written a review for Amazon before, nor have I ever been compelled to. But this book was so perfect. It was deep without being superficial or austentacious, it was honest without being sanctimonious for the level of honesty. My husband has MS, and I got this book to get some insight as to how others deal with the disease. Meredith, or Richard's accounts of Meredith, gave me so much reassurance. They are a brave and wonderful couple, who embrace their own humanness instead of trying to cover it up under make-up and bright lights. Thank you, Richard, for your honesty, for your introspection, for your ability to write in a way that conveys the whole mess of emotions that come with this life. It's odd that really pure joy and irony and uncertainty and misery can all run rampant at the same time, but it's so true, and that really comes through in your book. You're a fantastic example.
Rating:
Summary: amazing!!
Review: I have read many books based around chronic illnesses, this by far is one of the best. I have fibro...this book has helped me to understand so much. I applaud the courage of this writer.Also recommended reading: Nightmares Echo, Tuesdays With Morrie,Running With Scissors
Rating:
Summary: This book is real!
Review: I think this is a book everyone should read. Why? Well first let me tell you why I read it. I have a friend who has MS, and I felt this was a book I needed to read to support them, as well as just to gain a better understanding of what one goes through with MS. About half way through this book I realized, the book isn't about MS, it's about living with illness period. MS just happens to be the illness Mr. Cohen has been dealt, along with Colin cancer. At times this book is very intense with emotions and I wanted to just sit there and cry. A few times I just about did. Reading this book helped me to understand that when things seem to be getting bad, always put things in prospective. Think about where you are at that moment in time, and think about how well you have it to others. Count your blessings, especially the ones that matter the most to you. Mr. Cohen had to learn that he couldn't try to run away from his illnesses, he had to learn to run WITH them. It's not always as easy as it sounds; it's a process that Mr. Cohen had to accept. He also had to realize he is a work in progress. This book is one I think everyone should read because of the fact that it encourages you and reminds you that things aren't always easy, but with the ones you love around you, you will get through life with illness or a disability. Those with illness or a disability don't have to run life's race alone. That is probably the one thing in this book that I was encouraged the most about. This book is the best book I've read in a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: A terrific book, as far as it goes
Review: I, too, suffer from a rare, chronic, progressive neurological disease. I saw myself so clearly in these pages - the frustration, the anger, the acknowledgement of the energy it takes just to make it from day to day. This is not a "how-to-cope" book. It will take you inside the mind of a person who suffers from a disease -- severe MS in this case -- and is a journal of sorts of his battle for 25+ years. Insult is added to injury when he develops colon cancer - twice. Cohen is marrried to television talk-show host (The View) Meredith Viera, and it's about the dynamics of their marriage and family (three children) as much as it is about him and his illnesses. The honesty is searing and made me feel as if I were with a compatriot in a lonely war. What I have found to be of great help for myslef is developing my spiritual (different from religious) life. Cohen dismisses this avenue of help, although he talks a lot about atttitude, and I wanted to reach out to him and share the comfort I have found. I still highly recommend this book to anyone who is chronically ill, or shares a life with someone who faces that challenge.
Rating: 
Summary: Reluctant indeed
Review: If I could ask Richard Cohen one question, it would be "Why did you write this book?" Because he is reluctant, and even while he wants to give the impression of being personal and honest, I get a feeling he's trying to do so while not giving too much away, or that he's talking around something. Maybe he was nagged to write a book about his experience to the point that he finally just wrote it to get everyone off his back. He's very angry person who seems to think that that's fine with his family, that they had worked it out and accept his hair- trigger temper as just a loveable quirk. I don't mind that he is angry about his illness. For once, someone does not get all gooey about illness, but just presents it as pain, obstacle, a waste of life force that Cohen would rather have spent on his career or family or anything else. And why not? I appreciate his rage, rage, rage against the dying of the light (literally, in his case). Not everyone can be ennobled by illness, and I'll bet it's actually a relief to many sufferers to learn they have a kindred soul in NOT being more than average and in hating their illness and what's been stolen from them. There are better, more eloquent books about what it's like to have illness ("Time on Fire," for one) interrupt your life, steal your time, youth, freedom, independence and love and patience. This book feels like it is a narration to which I'm missing the pictures -- Richard Cohen was in TV, after all, and is used to having the pictures do most of the talking. I don't "see" this book at all, feel like I'm being lectured at, and found Cohen to be a very hostile, unpleasant person to the point where, although I believe his resentment is justified, I didn't enjoy being around him during the time spent reading his book.
Rating:
Summary: Multiple sclerosis affected his body, emotions and future
Review: Illness changed author Richard M. Cohen's life when he was only 25: it came in the form of multiple sclerosis and affected his body, emotions and future. Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness: A Reluctant Memoir (his resulting autobiography) sketches his confrontation with his condition, its effects on his family and his relationship with his wife, and his determination to lead a good life still filled with dreams.
Rating:
Summary: A breakthrough Book
Review: Many people have tried to explain their symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis to their loved ones or to their doctors. How do you explain , that you have been typing
for half and hour and suddenly can't find a key? Or that you don't have the energy to pick your finger up and hit that key because you have exhausted yourself looking for it? Or that a man so intelligent he is profound has problems with his kid's homework?.
This is the first book that has explained that life is often lived as a fugitive with M.S.. You might be caught in a good moment, functioning and looking well. You now have to explain to new doubters
that you are not always this good. Or vice versa. This book should be required reading especially for
neurologists.
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