Bøger af David Tabatsky

Every day, millions of people face traumatic changes to their health, when everything familiar turns upside down. What if they could take better control of their situation by writing about their experience and communicating more effectively by expressing their feelings? What if their struggles became a source of empowerment and inspiration? Research indicates that expressive writing-dealing with one's deepest thoughts and feelings-may contribute to improved physical and emotional health--for those with cancer and/or chronic disease. Everyone-- patients, caregivers and medical staff--has a story to tell. Many are uplifting while others may not be easy to digest. Through their authenticity, they reflect the staggering realities of dealing with chronic diseases. By opening your heart and giving writing a chance, you can discover the gift of personal expression--for you and everyone you know. Welcome to Write for Life.

According to Richard Krassen, "I owe my life to the city of Philadelphia." Breadcrumbs on My Journey is set in the City of Brotherly Love, the life-long anchor of his universe. In this revealing memoir, he reflects on his love for music, basketball, and family, sharing novel insights on what it means to be a son, husband, father, grandfather, and teammate. Beyond his sharp and often humorous memories, septuagenarian Krassen offers original poetry, aphorisms, and a story about his alter ego as a life insurance salesman. Although this entire endeavor took many years, the results are well worth it, and readers are sure to enjoy and be inspired by this proud Philadelphian.Krassen has actually produced two memoirs, a candid account of his personal journey, and an unflinching guide to Philadelphia and how it's been over the last three quarters of a century. If you start reading, you won't stop. At least I didn't.--Mike Jensen, 30-year sportswriter, Philadelphia InquirerRich Krassen's Lincoln team and my Overbrook squad played each other at The Palestra in the 1958 Philadelphia public high school league semi-final game. We are fraternity brothers in basketball, stickball, and doo wop. I love his memoir, both serious and humorous, as it recaptures the good old days. --Wali Jones, former NBA player, director of Shoot for the StarsWith fast-paced, light-hearted vignettes, Krassen presents a delicious Catcher in the Rye for members of the "Lost Generation," (b. 1930-1946), a generation that's been maligned, if not ignored by history. Krassen's often hilariously detailed and self-deprecating memoir reminds readers that perseverance prevails and the 1950s weren't so "bland" after all.--Thomas J. Carey, author, Witness to Roswell, and Inside the Real Area 51A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Each day, millions of people face traumatic change, when everything familiar feels challenged. What if they began writing about the experience? What if they took better control by communicating more effectively and expressing their feelings? What if their struggle becomes a source of inspiration? Twenty years of research indicates that expressive writing-dealing with one's deepest thoughts and feelings-may contribute to improved physical and emotional health. Many cancer stories are uplifting while others are not easy to digest. But all are authentic and honest, and reflect the staggering reality of the cancer world. Open your heart. Give writing a chance. Personal expression can be a gift--for you, and everyone you know. Welcome to Write for Life. David Tabatsky's energy, commitment and expertise have enabled cancer patients and survivors to process their experiences in a new and often healing way. -Hester Hill Schnipper, Program Manager, Oncology Social Work, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

IF ONE THING CAN BE SAID about this woman, it's that adversity does not deter her. "A problem by itself is not a negative thing," she advises. "It's a challenge. And if you look at each passage as a kind of victory, big or small, it offers encouragement, giving you confidence in yourself to be ready for whatever comes next." Meet Marilyn Sacharow Fried Schwartz, an uncommon woman whose eight-decade journey--amid joy and heartbreak, through turbulence and triumph--reminds of the preciousness of our days, the importance of faith and family, and the resiliency of the human spirit

"Hurry Up and Make It Day" did not come by accident. The author spent many sleepless nights as a child, just hoping the sun would rise so the new day would begin, and life could happen without the threat or manifestation of violence in the home. Giving a graphic account of her own tragic story, the author demonstrates how she was "groomed to kill" as she witnessed the violence in her home, how the abuse affected her as a young child and the tragedy that has haunted her even into adulthood. The author knows first-hand what can happen to children who witness domestic violence from a very young age watching their mother beaten severely.

Part memoir, part adventure travelogue, American Misfit tells the story of a young American clown and variety performer who unwittingly ended up in the belly of the Japanese prison system for what seemed like forever. This darkly funny, stream-of-consciousness journey through prison cells, indecipherable interrogations, and a labyrinth of Tokyo courtrooms is intercut with flashpoints and flashbacks, detailing the author's offbeat, eccentric experiences in Japan prior to his arrest, a New York/Jewish background, and the recent death of his father. Readers fascinated by the culture clash of East and West will find American Misfit especially relevant, keenly observant, and surprisingly moving. In addition to being a compelling personal memoir, American Misfit is also a homage to anyone who has ever struggled to aim his or her spiritual compass in the right direction.

Americans know they should be healthy, but making health a priority often falls last on the to-do list for today's average family. Parents are working full-time, juggling kids' hectic schedules and managing their money to save for the future. Many families are trying to eat what they think is healthy but all too often settle for the drive-through at a fast food chain because it's easier than making a balanced meal at home. When it comes to exercise, mom and dad belong to a gym but by the time they get home, get the kids fed, bathed, and finished with homework, it's time for everyone to go to bed. Sound familiar? The Wright Choice is an easy-to-understand "Self-Help" book for Americans who know they should be healthy but don't think they can fit it into their busy schedules, and aren't really sure what being healthy means. It's the modern American family's one-stop shop for overall good health, written especially for busy moms and dads who need some practical guidance on how to make health not only achievable but realistic. Dr. Randy Wright, American Heart Association nationally recognized neurologist and medical director based in Houston and David Tabatsky, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Cancer Book, have created an easy-to-understand guide to longer and healthier lives for today's on-the-go family. Dr. Wright confesses that until he began this project, he, his wife Crystal and their two small sons were the typical busy family that didn't make their own health a priority. He candidly shares how Randy, the husband and father, had his own struggles with constantly eating fast food and making excuses for not exercising, but eventually took a spoonful of his own medicine ("A Healthy Heart Starts in the Mind") and began making realistic lifestyle changes that accommodated his demanding schedule. Woven throughout this tell-all health guide that addresses everything from the truth about Twinkies to the financial gain of being fit, the confusion of fats, good fats and trans fats, as well as how to get fit at home, are several sections that actually make health fun and easy to follow: -Randy's Rules - Simple tips to jot down, highlight or make into a personal mantra -The Wright Advice - The raw truth about nutrition and exercise to take to heart -Exercise Breaks - Don't think you're going to get through this book sitting down -DocSpeak and Patient Testimonies - Real stories from real people -Medical Myths - The truth behind the myths that might just save your life -50 Quick 'n Easy Recipes - Mouth-watering meals to fatten your wallet not your waist Americans might take their health today more seriously if they realized how much money it could save them right now and in the future. Having a 401K or pension is a top priority for most, but each year, more Americans are too sick to enjoy the money they have worked so hard to preserve. They feel shortchanged, and their "golden years" are not turning out to be so golden. The Wright Choice brings to light a very simple "Ah-ha" moment when it suggests, just as you shouldn't start planning for retirement a mere five years before you stop working, that you shouldn't start living healthy only when something goes wrong. For more information visit www.TheWrightChoiceRx.com

When Mary Reid-Hill was 38 years old, she had an enormous freaking stroke (that's not the exact scientific name), which essentially left her battling for her life. This crisis followed a twisted childhood, a teenage marriage, and a diagnosis of cancer at age 22-leaving Mary to cope with a new set of challenges with half a brain and a seriously compromised body. "In Spite Of" all the the health challenges, psychological roadblocks, and spiritual upheaval, Mary has persevered-defying doctors, therapists, and insurance companies, all of whom underestimated her grit, optimism, and humor, three tools that have served her best during her 15+ years of recovery. Her story has value for anyone because it will surely grab a piece of you and take you on a worthwhile ride. Buckle up and enjoy!

In January 2020, when Jan was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 81, she gathered her four sons to share the news with them. Soon after, she realized that the history she had been creating of her own life, from birth to the present day, which she had been working on in various writing groups, finally had a clear reason for existing. "It wasn't just for me anymore, to reminisce and play with and wrestle to the page; it should become a gift to my sons, perhaps a final way of letting them know who I am, who I have been, and what legacy, if any, I might leave for them and their families to learn from and enjoy." In fact, Jan is pretty sure she has at least a few friends and acquaintances who might also be interested in reading this memoir. That said, she is not so full of herself that she thinks the world cannot live without her, although at some point it will find out if this is actually possible. In the meantime, as she says, "I suppose I have lived an unusual life, full of unexpected circumstances, especially for a woman in our society, and that there may be some inspiration somewhere for a young girl to think bigger than she may have otherwise allowed herself to do." Each of us looking to share our stories must delve backward into the historic timeline of our family ancestry and use it to provide context for how we came to be who we are today. As Jan says, "I have tried my best to relate the history of my family's brave, courageous actions, which I inherited, and which played a central role in own capacity meet my challenges, one hundred years later! I found my new pathway to re-enter my memoir and now may I invite you to embark on this journey with me at your side. Bon voyage!"Jan is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and The Temple University Law School, which she began at age 45. She is the proud mother of four children and the grandmother of 14 grandchildren.

Crystal Child is the inspiring story of a mother on a mission: to save her physically fragile child from life-threatening food allergies and asthma, which she finally accomplishes, through a steady stream of humor, love and hard work. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." This could be the motto of Lisa B. Lewis and her daughter, Lea, who has grown up in a world where pizza is a lethal weapon and "catching your breath" is never a given. Most of us must navigate our way through daunting struggles at some point in our lives. It is how we deal with these challenges and the choices we make concerning them, that defines our essence as human beings. That is why the story of Lisa and Lea is especially relevant for all of us. According to the Center for Disease Control, eight percent of children in the U.S. have significant food allergies and seven million children suffer from asthma. In the early 2000s, a tremendous number of children were born with asthma, food allergies and autism. This generation has come to be known as "crystal children." Like fine crystal glass, each of them are extraordinarily gifted and beautiful, yet they are also incredibly fragile. Crystal Child is dedicated to the deeply spiritual, intuitive and beautiful souls of our children, and to the strength, love and amazing resilience of their parents! Lisa B. Lewis has a master's degree in clown and circus history from New York University and joined the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, working in pediatric wards of local hospitals. Over 15 years, as she came to know more and more ailing children, her soul deepened and her heart opened in inexplicable ways. "While I may have been professionally prepared to deal with a physically challenged child," she says, "I had no idea how to face these problems as a mother with my own daughter, let alone find solutions. As a result, 'The buck stops here' has taken on an entirely new meaning." Crystal Child reveals the daily rollercoaster of trying to care for a suffering child, frustrated when you can't find immediate solutions and stymied by how the road constantly forks and things rarely go as planned. After years of emergency room visits, clueless doctors, careless teachers and searching in vain for answers to unanswerable questions, Dr. Xiu-Min Li from Mt Sinai Hospital in New York City finally provided real reasons for hope. Thanks to Dr. Li's groundbreaking research on the use of natural herbs for treating food allergies and asthma, Lea's life has not only been changed; it's been saved. She is living proof of the positive effects of Chinese herbal immunotherapy. "Welcome to our adventure," says Lisa. "We are all in this together! Laugh, cry, celebrate triumphs and learn from my mistakes, so you never repeat them. May Lea, my 'crystal child, ' inspire you with the beauty she brings into this world." "Lisa and her story can inspire others with similar problems. Her dedication and determination are a lesson for all of us." --Dr. Xiu-Min Li. Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York City "Full of practical wisdom and boundless compassion, Crystal Child is a testament to the power of love, creativity and the art of never giving up. It demonstrates the graceful convergence of ancient and modern medicine, how real cooperation between diverse systems is possible through heartfelt, professional collaboration. Crystal Child is a wonderful guide for parents of children with challenging conditions and should be required reading for students of pediatric medicine, East & West." --Rachel Koenig, L.Ac, Founder, Aurora Healing Arts "Crystal Child is a must-read for parents, teachers and medical professionals, offering valuable insight for anyone concerned with the vulnerabilities of children." -- David Tabatsky, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul's, The Cancer Book and The Over-Parenting Epidemic

Four young Southern sisters try to live life with courage and determination despite an alcoholic birth mother who deserted them and a maternal grandmother who left them at the Salvation Army. Two sisters remained in foster care during childhood, but all four women have subsequently reunited and are close despite recurring sibling rivalries. Through all their adversities the four sisters show an amazing inner strength and resiliency, and it is obvious they care about improving their lives. Conversations from 1994-2002 between the sisters and their stepmother reveal surprising events in real-time; their lively and impassioned personal conversations read like a novel but are absolutely true. Their stories include heart-rending acounts of childhood physical and sexual abuse and spousal abuse in marriage, unwarranted loss of children, living on the minimum wage, and repeated ER visits resulting in pain-medication addictions. Boxes of statistics inserted between the conversations add educational material to support the many social issues in the book. These women are survivors, but it is easy to see that traumatic childhoods left them with drug and alcohol addictions to stop the pain and memories. One has served time in Chowchilla Women's Prison in California after life on the streets of San Francisco and LA. This book speaks volumes to the unfairness of our legal system and its failure to rehabilitate offenders. At the heart of this memoir is a touching love story of five women, four sisters and their stepmother, who support each other with uncompromising loyalty and devotion.

This collection of 101 stories of courage, support and love is a support group you can hold in your hands.