Book Description
A heart-rending, honest account of the effect a stroke can have on family life. Nick Wisbey was 15 when his 49 year old father, Stan, was struck down by a stroke that was to leave him speechless and unable to communicate verbally. Instantaneously, the stroke relegated Stan from the head of the household, the breadwinner, to an invalid. The devastation on losing his ability to speak caused massive frustrations - with the family left to guess from his gesticulations what it was he wanted. The tensions mounted and Stan understandably struggled to adapt to his changed life - over time he sank into a world of TV watching, reading and silence. The family were left to cope as best they could, but felt that the stroke had cheated them out of a husband and father. The frustrations only increased as the years passed and the family grew. Stan Wisbey survived his stoke for twenty eight years, retaining the good looks and outward composure he'd always possessed, but never having resolved his anger with the illness. A further stroke took its toll on his well being and cognative abilities. What are you thinking of Dad? is Nick Wisbey's touching account of those 28 years. They focus on his relationship with his father - the highs and lows, the love and hate - as well as his mother's caring devotion to the family during this time. This account is unique because of the emphasis on the long term effect living with serious illness.
