A Must Read Book

 (Originally Posted By Leslie Coggin in Living with RSD/CRPS at 2/05/2012 01:50:00 AM)

I attend the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills and one of the exciting projects that our Pastor, Michael Allmeyer, has started is a book club.  We have read some interesting books like "George Washington's Sacred Fire"; the story of how much faith played a part in the founding of our country, "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy";  the biography of a pastor who worked to overthrow the Third Reich from the inside, "Heaven is for Real"; a four year olds account of his visit to heaven after an emergency appendectomy and "The Privilege of Persecution"; which explores the attitudes and disciplines of persecuted Christians around the world. 

Pastor came to see me after I was released from the hospital and told me that he had picked the next book with me in mind.  He told me that it was the story of a disabled man and his fight to return to normalcy and handed me the book "Journey with Jay" by Jan Muir Peine.  Jan Peine, a rehabilitation specialist, was hired to work with Jay and help him to overcome his severe disabilities and reenter the world as a functioning adult.  The story talks about the trials his wife and children went through dealing with a man who had no memory of them.  It talks about their faith and how it carried them through the roughest patches.   Ms. Peine wrote the book with the encouragement of Mrs. Basselin and used her journals as well as her personal case notes to tell Jay's story.

"Journey with Jay" is about a Birmingham man named Jay Basselin who worked as a heavy machine mechanic.  He suffered a traumatic brain injury when a front end loader fell on his face.  Jay bled out on the floor of the garage and died three times.  At one point the doctors talked to his wife about donating his organs.  His miraculous survival left him with a rare amnesia; he could not remember his wife, children, familiar people and basic tasks.  He could not even recognize his own face in the mirror.

The book is an inspiration for anyone struggling with a disability.  It is also a testimony to the rehab workers, case managers and adjusters because it illustrates what a little bit of faith, reliance on God and some creative thinking can do to make a family whole after a traumatic event.  It also is a testament to what the brain and body can do to heal itself.  This man who could not even remember his life prior to the accident or even the accident itself could remember that he went to heaven and saw Jesus.  This man who could not remember his wife or children's names and faces could stand up in church and sing remember the music and lyrics of the hymns that were sung at his church and could remember the basic tenets of his faith and the words of the Bible. This story is also an inspiration to the families and caregivers of those who are disabled.  It is a story for anyone who needs to believe that miracles can and do happen and reminds us of the healing power of faith.

This book reminded me that miracles can and do happen if you not only rely on God and place your faith in him.  It taught me to look at my situation in a different way and never give up.  Unfortunately, the book is not available at most book stores.  It can be found at Cokesbury Christian book store in Vestavia, Alabama and through the author's web site; www.givingmeaway.com.  The author considers this book, as well as the two children's books she has written which address death and adoption, as part of her called ministry.  The book costs about $10.00 U.S.; there is no charge for those who are unable to pay or who are in desperate need of inspiration and solace.

I encourage the families of those who have a family member dealing with a disability as well as those people with disabilities to read this book.  It inspired me and I know that it will inspire you.