Q: Who is the intended audience?
A: I wrote my story specifically to share with those individuals, like myself, living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia. Nonetheless, friends, family members, and colleagues of those suffering from these conditions will also find the information in this book very valuable in understanding not only the symptoms of these health issues but also the psychological effects of chronic disease.

Q: What is the book about?
A: Strategies: A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Journey is my story: how I came to a more peaceful place and the struggles that I continue to work through each day. Those of you with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia will likely see yourself in my experiences. Although the symptoms and the paths to find balance and contentment might differ, having these health issues impacts life in ways that could never have been previously imagined even in the wildest of dreams (or nightmares as the case may be). In the end, these experiences change everything.

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: I am one individual in a growing epidemic. In 1997, after a chaotic year of intense medical and psychological testing, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I spent much of the last ten years in deep denial feeling alone, confused, frustrated, and angry. It has taken me a great deal of soul searching, but I believe that today I am a better, more centered person because of my experiences.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: “This book is a passionate, intense account of one person’s conquest over suffering. As a psychologist working with chronic pain sufferers, I can endorse Ms. Brady’s philosophy, approach and tools.”
-Bob Rich, PhD, author Cancer: A Personal Challenge

“Nine years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I already had two friends who had serious cases of it. When the doctor gave me eight prescriptions to help me deal with the symptoms, I decided that it was time to quit my stressful job and focus on recovering my health. I saw so many similarities between Ms. Brady’s journey and my own.”
-Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: Strategies: A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Journey is available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and other fine retailers.

Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: Friends, family, and caregivers of those so afflicted.

Q: What is the book about?
A: The heart of the book consists of thirteen, riveting, in-depth stories of people and their families who fought back with courage, humor, creativity and a positive attitude. In addition to telling these stories, the book contains valuable information on how to find and use the latest medical developments and other valuable coping information about specific medical problems. There are scores of footnotes to valuable reference works I used in researching the book.

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: spent much of six years researching and writing it. Before that I had recovered from eight major operations, including two open-heart operations, so I have walked the walk. The book is in no way autobiographical, but I occasionally borrow from my first-hand experience to support important points.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: The thirteen stories are about real, courageous people and their caregivers. This guarantees its uniqueness.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: There is much self-help wisdom in this book. From self-help organizations to web sites, it brims with useful information. The people the book focuses on have a wide variety of afflictions; various types of cancer - some survive, some don’t. Lou Gehrig’s disease usually kills it’s victims within two to five years. The book leads off with the story of a man and wife who together have fought his disease for nearly 30 years, and they are far from giving up. Several of the stories concern people with varying degrees of paralysis from illness and injury.

For more information, visit www.booksbydirk.com