Library: Biographies & Fiction

Books

A Dance in the Desert
Mindy Gibbins-Klein; 2002. The main character takes the reader through his personal quest for love and stability while battling epilepsy. This fictional story, set in Arizona’s desert, is one of friendship and love which defy traditional boundaries.

Embrace the Dawn: One Woman’s Story of Triumph Over Epilepsy
Andrea Davidson; 1989. This personal account of epilepsy and the author’s efforts to overcome it through surgery promotes understanding of epilepsy and helps others with the condition through their own healing processes.

Going the Distance: The George Thomas Story
An inspirational story of a bicyclist’s recovery from a hit-and-run accident and his subsequent struggles with epilepsy.

Lefty Charmichael Has a Fit
Don Trembath; 1963. A young teen’s family and friends struggle with his diagnosis of epilepsy. While Lefty himself is ready to continue a life of normalcy, those close to him can’t seem to get over it.

Miles to Go Before I Sleep
Jackie Pflug with Peter J. Kizilos. Hazleden; 1996. Tells the true story of a hijacking during which the author suffered a severe brain injury that, among other things, left her with epilepsy. Her long struggle to deal with the aftermath of the experience and her journey to recovery and eventual success as an inspirational speaker gives hope to all those fighting the physical effects of brain injury.

Ragged Owlet
Sue Goss; 1989. Describes the experiences of a young woman living in Australia and Britain during the 1960s and early 1970s. The book follows her struggles with the effects of epilepsy, her own choices, and the often harsh reactions of others. While some of the medical information is out of date, the essence of the book is that despite challenges, the human spirit lives.

Rejoice in the Light
Amy Crane; 2000. A compelling true account of a woman's experiences with epilepsy from childhood to young adulthood to the surgery which stopped her seizures. Deals with many important aspects of epilepsy, including medical difficulties and options for resolution, emotional challenges, side effects of various medications, and countless ways to make life easier for people affected by seizure disorders.

Rusty's Story
Carol Gino; 1997. A true story written by a nurse about a young girl with epilepsy who was misdiagnosed with a mental illness and repeatedly committed to a psychiatric hospital. After hearing Rusty's story, the author tries to reassure her that these things will never happen again. Unfortunately, things do not change for Rusty, and Carol dedicates herself to helping Rusty live a normal life.

Saving Jesse
Nicky Armstrong with Jeanne Heal; 1996. This is the story of one family's search for answers to a rare and devastating type of epilepsy. It shows how a child's best advocates are the people who love and care for them, and that quality of life is not just freedom from illness. This diary of a child's experience with Rasmussen's Syndrome is a compelling and moving human-interest story about one family's strength.

Seizure Free
Leanne Chilton; 1999. Chilton was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 25. She takes the reader through her journey to success, while offering suggestions to help others.

Videos

Dr. Brien Smith's Keynote Speech at the 2005 Midwest Regional Consumer Conference - Brien Smith, MD, discusses epilepsy from his unique personal and professional perspective; 1 hour (VHS or DVD)