Rating: 
Summary: amazing!!
Review: Patty Collins,
I am an avid Memoir reader, as well as a non-fiction reader. I also have a chronic illness (Fibro) and 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.
I would also like to recommended: Nightmares Echo, Tuesdays With Morrie,Running With Scissors
Rating:
Summary: Honest¿ Inspiring¿ Realistic¿ Sobering
Review: Review based on hardcover 9/2003... Reviewer's comment: 'Until you walk in my shoes...' I offer that reminder to those reviewers and readers who may pass judgment on a writer, who openly shares his life of trials and tribulations, of what he does or does not say... how he does or does not react to his chronic illness. Here is a man who opens himself to public scrutiny of emotions from the heart -- that alone is a over-the-top fete to accomplish, in this reviewer's eye. Shalom, Mr. Cohen, thank you.BLINDSIDED is a book sized small in width and length, but powerfully-packed in content with exceptional use of words, phrases and sharing of personal privacy. Richard M. Cohen tells of his life, his family, his chronic illness with candor, wit, anger and courage. Cohen reveals heartache, emotional, physical and mental trials, with introspection of his actions and effect upon his family and self well-being. There are moments when Cohen sometimes goes within himself, leaving the reader, but faithfully he returns. At age 25, Cohen was diagnosed with beginning stages of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - a progressive disease. In later years, he battles recurring colon cancer with accompanying side effects, and deals with blindness attributed to side effects of MS. With honesty, the author vents the struggles of physical and mental pain. The fact that the medical profession was only mildly supportive in caring... unconcerned with applying the holistic approach, and the ramifications suffered by Mr. Cohen is appalling, a blemish on the medical profession -- albeit not a new occurrence. At the beginning there are natural denials ... Cohen states, "Yes, denial can put the brain to sleep, anesthetizing the mind that refuses to face the truth and see the approaching freight train hauling the heavy load of heavy reality." Some of his "advisors" tell him... 'don't tell anyone'... then others say, 'tell about your illness'... 'full disclosure does not work in the real world...' Either route presented problems... within these advisors are coworkers, peers, relating to the damage or not of telling employers and prospective employers. Attempting to live life to the fullest with courage and dignity, Cohen continues his participation in assignments of travel including Poland, Beirut, San Salvador, Middle East and China. Beyond medical distant (non) attention are the CBS networks executives who mistreated Richard Cohen as well as Meredith Vieira in her right to put family first ... that includes Mike Wallace, his use of ugly language to a female coworker related to baby Ben being brought to his mother's office and a natural act of a baby crying. Hooray for you, Ms. Vieira for not bowing to the ignorant authorities you had to put up with. My admiration of you grew through the years for not bowing to corporate dirty politics. And, your presence on ABC's THE VIEW is exceptional. From Richard Cohen... "... the formula for successful coping rests in the eye of the beholder... no magic... Making peace is not a one-shot deal but an effort that spans a lifetime. Coping takes discipline and self-control." Recommended reading: THE LAST DANCE BUT NOT THE LAST SONG, MY STORY author Renee Bondi
Rating:
Summary: Blindsided
Review: Richard Cohen has captured so many of my feelings, frustrations, fears and lessons learned living with this debilitating disease. He has taken on the grand adventure of life, living it to its fullest with courage and dignity. Thank you for putting written words on what my soul wishes it could speak.
Rating: 
Summary: Pain, joy, disease and parenthood
Review: Richard Cohen has endured many obstacles. It is a moving (and reluctant) memoir about a progressive neurological illness and how it permeates all aspects of his life. He has acomplished so much, when many others would probably give up or be paralysed with depression caused by this illness. Read the book, and look at your life differently. His children's reactions and adaption to his problems is written in a very special way.
Rating:
Summary: "When sorrows come, they come . . . in battalions."
Review: Richard Cohen knows about sorrow as well as joy. When he was twenty-five, life seemed to have endless promise. He was an up-and-coming television news producer who felt physically fit and self-confident. One day, Cohen dropped a coffee pot, and he chalked it up to a clumsy moment. On another occasion, he was standing at a curb and he lost his balance for no apparent reason. He gave these symptoms little thought until his leg began to itch and Cohen realized that the outside of the skin on his leg was completely numb. After speaking with his father, a physician, Cohen learned that he has multiple sclerosis, a devastating and potentially crippling disease. "Blindsided" is not just a story of sickness and physical deterioration. It is also a testament to the faith, love, and determination of a very special family. Cohen married Meredith Vieira after he was diagnosed with MS. They have three children whom they adore, and they have remained unified throughout many years of suffering and sacrifice. Besides his battle with MS, which has left him legally blind, Cohen has also survived two bouts of colon cancer. Each day, Cohen lives with the knowledge that he will most likely never recover his strength, that he cannot work at the job he adores, and that his wife and children will see him growing weaker as the years pass. Yet, he chooses to fight back by doing his utmost to remain as strong as he can, and by setting an example of courage that is an inspiration to those who know him. Although Cohen's prose is not subtle or elegant, his story is compelling, unforgettable, and unflinchingly honest. After reading this powerful book, most readers will consider every day of good health to be a tremendous blessing that should never be taken for granted.
Rating:
Summary: "When sorrows come, they come . . . in battalions."
Review: Richard Cohen knows about sorrow as well as joy. When he was twenty-five, life seemed to have endless promise. He was an up-and-coming television news producer who felt physically fit and self-confident. One day, Cohen dropped a coffee pot, and he chalked it up to a clumsy moment. On another occasion, he was standing at a curb and he lost his balance for no apparent reason. He gave these symptoms little thought until his leg began to itch and Cohen realized that the outside of the skin on his leg was completely numb. After speaking with his father, a physician, Cohen learned that he has multiple sclerosis, a devastating and potentially crippling disease. "Blindsided" is not just a story of sickness and physical deterioration. It is also a testament to the faith, love, and determination of a very special family. Cohen married Meredith Vieira after he was diagnosed with MS. They have three children whom they adore, and they have remained unified throughout many years of suffering and sacrifice. Besides his battle with MS, which has left him legally blind, Cohen has also survived two bouts of colon cancer. Each day, Cohen lives with the knowledge that he will most likely never recover his strength, that he cannot work at the job he adores, and that his wife and children will see him growing weaker as the years pass. Yet, he chooses to fight back by doing his utmost to remain as strong as he can, and by setting an example of courage that is an inspiration to those who know him. Although Cohen's prose is not subtle or elegant, his story is compelling, unforgettable, and unflinchingly honest. After reading this powerful book, most readers will consider every day of good health to be a tremendous blessing that should never be taken for granted.
Rating:
Summary: It's not about a complete change, but mutation
Review: Richard Cohen probably showed showed intense strength and true internal vision long before he had any reason to require it to such a degree. And the most amazing thing is that he picked the perfect partner--his second wife--with whom to go the distance. Their life is indeed a fascinating journey. She laughs, teases and flaunts the irony of her life on "THE VIEW" with abandon, and shares a difficult but complete marriage with a man who is dauntless. Even though they no doubt would love to have all the pain go away, they probably would not have wanted to miss their mastery over their ongoing challenges. What important issues they have thrown out to us to share, and what a opportunity we have received in response.
Rating:
Summary: The Courage to tell the truth
Review: Richard Cohen takes us into his heart and soul. He shares with the reader the reality of living with a deblitating, chronic disease that has the potential to overshadow ones entire life. I appreciate his candor and courage in writing this memoir.
I heard him speak this morning on the Imus program. They were discussing how open he was in this book and why. It isn't a subject to tip toe around.
Our family also lives with chronic disease that is debilitating and our life is complicated with having a son who just returned to Iraq for his second deployment with the 3rd ID. When I wrote our memoir of that first deployment I felt as Cohen did, that if I was going to write it had to be from the heart. He does a magnificent job of giving us an inside perspective on his and his family's challenges.
Thank you, Mr. Cohen, for pulling back the veil.
Mary Ward
"Letters Home"
www.marehaven.com
Rating:
Summary: Blindsided
Review: This book is inspirational. It brought tears to my eyes. A def. must read.
Rating:
Summary: A BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW...
Review: This is a well-written memoir by a very angry man. He is very angry at a disease that made itself manifest in the prime of his life. When he was twenty-five years old, the author discovered that he had multiple sclerosis. His coping method throughout his life has been denial, and he seems to have found his taste of life to have been bitter rather than sweet. One need only to see his picture on the cover of the book to know this, as his bitterness appears to be etched on his face. Even his flashes of humor are tinged by bitterness and cynicism.
Still, this is a very personal, honest, and intimate, though, perhaps, as the author says, reluctant memoir. This is memoir by a man who looks at his life as being half-empty, rather than half-full. Yet, he is a man who has had an interesting and respected career in the field of television broadcast journalism, being a three time Emmy Award winner. He married a beautiful and talented woman, Meredith Vieira, who would go on to rise to the top in her field as a host for ABC's hit morning talk show, "The View". Moreover, she married him aware that he had this illness. They would go on to have three beautiful children, and all the creature comforts that such careers can provide.
Yet, the author's bitterness and hostility seem to cloud his thoughts and actions. Just when he thinks that things cannot get any worse, colon cancer enters the picture, exacerbating his multiple sclerosis symptoms. Moreover, his so far successful battle against colon cancer has left him its legacy. He now has to fight the psychic pain and humiliation of having endured an ileostomy and all its attendant indignities. Yes, he has the dreaded poop bag, and that has almost been the final straw for him. In some ways, who can blame him for feeling the way he does?
As for his wife, she is a woman who has stuck by her man through thick and thin, working, raising their children, and helping her husband cope. I take my hat off to her for maintaining her equilibrium while living with such a man. It must, indeed, be difficult to live with the author, not because of his multiple sclerosis or his bouts with colon cancer and its aftermath, though that, I am sure, has to have been difficult, but because of his bitterness and hostility, some of which seems to be subliminally directed towards his wife, due to the way that the media has portrayed each of them.
His life is also tinged by the frustration and sadness of what he and his children are unable to share. Perhaps, the author should focus on those things that they can share, but, as I said, he looks at his life as being half-empty, rather than half-full. I only hope that he will be able to find a measure of happiness, before it is too late, and appreciate what he does have, rather than what he does not.
|
