Debra Meyerson, a Stanford University professor, shares her emotionally powerful journey to rebuild her identity and redefine herself after suffering a debilitating stroke. She effectively blends her expertise about personal identity with her own journey and that of other survivors into a story that can help and inspire anyone robbed of capabilities that challenge their sense of self following injury.
In 2010, Debra Meyerson, a Stanford University professor, suffered a severe stroke in which she lost all speech and was paralyzed on her right side.
Identity Theft centres on Debra’s experience: her stroke, her extraordinary efforts to recover, and her journey to redefine herself.
She draws on her skills as a social scientist and conversations with dozens of fellow survivors-, family members, friends, colleagues, therapists, and doctors to paint a new picture of the emotional journey through the identity-based challenges born from stroke and other accidents and illnesses that rob people of important capabilities. She shares amazing personal stories and uses them to illustrate lessons we can all learn from. She addresses these important questions:
- Who are you after a stroke? How do I define myself in the face of more limited abilities?
- How do you grieve the loss of you? What is really important to me?
- Who do you become during your recovery? How do I fit in?
This is not a how-to book for recovery, nor will it tell you what you'll experience or how you should deal with the loss of ability, but it's a book full of hope for stroke survivors. It gives them and their support network a broad picture of what might lie ahead. And it explores some critical questions that, in the more prevalent focus on physical recovery, are all too often overlooked in the effort to help people who have lost capabilities from stroke or otherwise.
Industry Reviews
"What sets this book apart ... is its focus on stroke survivors' emotional journeys ... An encouraging story of personal growth after a life-altering medical event."
-KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Identity Theft is the most powerful book I've read on the psychological experience of having and recovering from a stroke. This is a moving memoir-and a testament to the strength of the human spirit."
-ADAM GRANT, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OPTION B, ORIGINALS, AND GIVE AND TAKE
"Identity Theft is a must read for stroke survivors, their families, and stroke professionals. Using her story and those of others, Debra writes with humor and pragmatism about embracing and thriving in new identities after stroke."
-DR. CHITRA VENKATASUBRAMANIAN, MBBS, MD, MSC, FNCS, PROFESSOR, STROKE AND NEURO CRITICAL CARE, STANFORD UNIVERSITY
"Identity Theft will provoke thoughts, ideas, and paths to growth for anyone wrestling with identity in the face of life changes. Even while struggling with the aftermath of her stroke, Debra found a way to create this gift to others.
-LAWRENCE BACOW, PRESIDENT, HARVARD UNIVERSITY
"After watching Debra Meyerson's extraordinary academic career cut short by her debilitating stroke, it is so inspiring to see her create such a powerful book for anyone trying to build a life of meaning in the face of adversity."
-CLAUDE STEELE, PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF PSYCHOLOGY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, AND FORMER DEAN, STANFORD SCHOOL OF EDUCATION; AUTHOR OF WHISTLING VIVALDI
"Identity Theft is a scholarly yet easy-to-read exposition that addresses so many issues faced by stroke survivors, especially those with aphasia. It is a story of determination and hope that should be of interest to everyone."
-LEORA R. CHERNEY, PHD, SCIENTIFIC CHAIR, THINK + SPEAK LAB, SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB; PROFESSOR, PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
"It is a rare book that can begin with medical trauma and loss of selfidentity and turn into a deeply moving, surprisingly uplifting, and profoundly wise meditation on what it means to be human."
-ROB REICH, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, STANFORD UNIVERSITY; AUTHOR OF JUST GIVING
"With Identity Theft, Debra Meyerson has written what will certainly become a go-to resource for stroke survivors and their families, navigating that critical question-'Who do I want to be now?'"
-JULIA FOX GARRISON, STROKE SURVIVOR AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY
"Identity Theft offers a deeply moving, candid, eye-opening, and compassionate picture of life after stroke. It displays the power of resilience, determination, acceptance, and love-and is sure to inspire helpful reflection, no matter one's age or health."
-KATHERINE J. KLEIN, EDWARD H. BOWMAN PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT AND VICE DEAN, WHARTON SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE, THE WHARTON SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
