We are pleased to offer this list of books recommended by our staff.

Where is the Mango Princess? by Cathy Crimmins, Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

This book provides the reader with insight into what happens to a person and their family following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Crimmin's husband, Alan, suffered a TBI in a boating accident while the family was on vacation in Canada. Crimmins shares with the reader the experiences of her family following the accident through the long and difficult recovery period.

For those of us who work with patients and families who have been impacted by TBI, this book proves us with an important point of view that we really have no way of knowing. Crimmins invites the reader into what her life was like during the acute hospital stays and the (very short) rehabilitation time.

We see through Cathy's eyes the various doctor, medical systems, and friends. One of the first doctors that she meets, she names as Dr. Asshole. "The first doctor, whom we call Dr. Asshole, swooped down from the great Neurosurgery in the Sky to tell me he has nothing to tell me." She reflects upon the different health care systems within the US and Canada. "You know what our HMO's brain surgery plan is? They give your wife a Black & Decker drill and an instruction booklet."

Because Alan is a high functioning TBI, many friends and family members look at him and think he should be fine. They don't understand that injury he suffered was to the brain and what that means. Alan remembers how to practice law, but has a hard time doing little things. Cathy tells us of the time Alan drove to work and then walked home because he forgot that he had a car.

Cathy shares what it is like for their daughter Kelly. Kelly was actually present when the accident occurred. We are allowed to see what a struggle she has trying to come to an understanding about what happened to her father.

At the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation where I work, we had a book discussion about "Where is the Mango Princess." The consensus was that everyone enjoyed the book and depending on their field of expertise, certain stories stand out for my co-workers.

"Where is the Mango Princess" is a book that is a good read as well as an informative one. I believe that everyone who reads it will come away with a clearer understanding of the impact of TBI's on the families and the survivor.

Spirituality and Healthcare: Reaching Toward a Holistic Future by John Shea, The Park Ridge Center, Chicago, 2000.

What role does spirituality have in the operation and provision of healthcare? Can there be agreement and understanding regarding spirituality between physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators, board members, and chaplains? What would a discussion involving everyone "at the table" look like?

This book explores the issues in a logical format through:

• "setting the table" (describing the unique concerns and interest of each discipline as they address spirituality)
• describing six interests regarding spirituality within the realm of healthcare
• providing three spiritualities which may be received across discipline and faith groupings
• defining eight injunctions to be followed in the activity of further discussion.

The six interests which Shea offers are from the vantagepoint of different persons/groups within the medical setting: patients; medical caregivers in their concerns for patients; medical caregivers as they are concerned for themselves; chaplains; the organization; and those involved with ethics.

The strength of this book is found within the third section where three spiritualities are presented (self-remembering, knowledge and compassion). Within this section, Shea invites the reader to find concepts of spirituality that can be owned by all persons in the discussion. The reader is invited to lay aside preconceptions and consider new ways of talking about spirituality.

The last section of this book is the weakest part. In it are presented eight injunctions for continuing the discussion. Some may find this section helpful, however. In some ways, it is anti-climactic.

Overall this book is exceptional! The subject of spirituality as an integral part of healthcare is contemporary to the concerns of this day. The difficulty in maintaining and encouraging this discussion is that perceptions of spirituality differ according to discipline.

You will not always feel comfortable reading this book, but new concepts and points of view will broaden your awareness of the issues. This book would serve well as a starting point for any group considering the role of spirituality in healthcare.

My Journey Into Alzheimer's Disease: A True Story by Robert Davis, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1989.

Pastor Robert Davis was serving as senior pastor of Old Cutler Presbyterian Church in Miami, FL., the city's largest Protestant church, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The year was 1987, and Pastor Davis was in his early 50s.

In writing this book the author's goal was to be, "the voice for all those victims who lost their ability to communicate even before anyone knew what was bringing on all these devastating changes." Four of the book's ten chapters were written by the author, ".painfully," he said, "with many missing words and unclear sentences" that were deciphered by Betty Davis, the author's wife. Pastor Davis recorded three more chapters on a Dictaphone and Mrs. Davis composed those that remained.

In this easily read book Pastor Davis does an extended life review, not only telling his personal story, but also sharing a faith testimony. His description of being "overtaken" by Alzheimer's Disease is painfully honest and detailed. Particularly disconcerting is the account of how the illness robbed him of not only the day-to-day activities of spiritual life, but of a life-long ability to communicate with God and to sense the Holy Spirit's presence with him.

He writes, "Perhaps the first spiritual change I noticed was fear. I have never really known fear before. At night when it is total blackness, these absurd fears come. The comforting memories can't be reached. The mind-sustaining Bible verses are gone. The old emotions are gone as new, uncontrolled, fearful emotions sweep in to replace them. The sweetness of prayer and the gentle comfort of the Holy Spirit are gone. I am alone in blackness.." (Chapter 8, pg. 107)

Yet, in spite of these terrible losses, Pastor Davis is able to identify new ways that he is spiritually fed. This section (Chapter 7and 8) is especially helpful to anyone who interacts with people suffering with Alzheimer's Disease.

As the book closes, Pastor Davis makes a bold confession of faith in the face of a daunting future. He writes eloquently about the promise of eternal life, and how it is his source of hope in the midst of the unknown. "Thank God", he says, "the journey never ends, but continues until triumph is realized." (Chapter 10, pg. 138)

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom, Doubleday, New York, 1997.

This well-know book is the subject of much publicity and has been widely read. It's the story of a young writer who becomes reconnected with a beloved college professor during the final months of that teacher's life. As Morrie Schwartz was dying with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig's disease, he taught, to quote the author, "life's greatest lesson."

This book was easy to read, straightforward and thoughtful. The chapters are short, and the content is easily remembered. It could be used in a support or study group to discuss what is meaningful in both life and in death.

The chapters that particularly lend themselves to reflection are: "The Third Tuesday, We Talk About Regrets"; "The Seventh Tuesday, We Talk About the Fear of Aging"; "The Ninth Tuesday, We Talk About How Love Goes On"; "The Twelfth Tuesday, We Talk About Forgiveness" and "The Thirteenth Tuesday, We Talk About The Perfect Day."

It seems that this book could be read more than once and still provides new insight.