Strong at the Broken Places

Voices of Illness, a Chorus of Hope

By: Richard M. Cohen

Narrated by: Mel Foster

In an extension of his New York Times best-selling book Blindsided, author Richard M. Cohen depicts one year in the lives of five individuals who are living with serious chronic illness and their families. These "citizens of sickness", as Cohen calls them, were selected for the diversity of their ages, races, socioeconomic positions, illness types, stages of wellness, and gender. Cohen profiles:

Denise, a woman with ALS, from suburban Los Angeles, California

Buzz, a man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, from Franklin, Indiana

Sarah, a 27-year-old woman with Crohn's disease, from Cleveland, Ohio

Ben, an 18-year-old freshman at Saint Mary's College of Maryland, with muscular dystrophy

Larry, a man with bipolar disease, from Cleveland, Georgia

Intimately involved with every aspect of their lives, Cohen formed intense relationships with his subjects, interviewing their families and friends, shadowing them on the job, accompanying them to doctor's visits, and being available and present for the important moments of daily triumphs and setbacks. Though each individual's illness wreaks havoc in a different way, there is much common ground to be found in the emotional impact of chronic illness and the need to rise above the disease. Listeners will be carried into the hearts and minds of those who cope with sickness daily and learn about self-determination, courage in the face of adversity and ignorance, keeping hope alive, and finding strength and peace.

©2008 Richard M. Cohen (P)2008 Tantor

Fantastic.,,.so inspired Thank you Mr Cohen

I will draw strength from these people and their stories... You have allowed God to speak beautifully through you. Endless Blessings to all interviewees and to Mr. Cohen and his family!