Longtime Member Publishes a Book, Coping with Chronic Illness Successfully

[NeuroNixed Craig]

TOTALLY DISABLED FIRST TIME WRITER SHARES HIS LESSONS TO COPE WITH LIFE’S CHALLENGES THROUGH PERSONAL AND HUMOROUS EXPERIENCES

You know how you see some of the most successful and happy people are dealing with the most unbelievable challenges and adversities working against them? Then you find yourself asking, “If this guy is successful, happy and fulfilled dealing with his challenges, how does he do it?”

Craig Mattice - we know him as NeuroNixed Craig - penned a “slap-you-in-the-face and wake up” inspiring book titled, Evaluate, Adapt, And Overcome: Accept No Limits In Life, making you ask, “What is his secret of coping with so many adversities, yet he is enjoying life to the fullest?” Craig recounts his story of coming to terms with total disability and outlines specific advice that helped him along the way. He is a survivor going from highly physically fit as prior law enforcement, specially trained military and long distance runner, to dealing with doctors for almost 11 years before receiving a definitive, yet terminal diagnosis. He is also a survivor of a near-fatal brain stem stroke, yet he has continued to design his life by dealing with adversity through learning to evaluate, adapt and overcome.

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Craig has coined a personal motto of Living Life on My Terms, No Excuses No Regrets. He has Para-sailed over 1,000 feet high, bungee jumped from a 140 foot tower by his ankles and even scaled the top final two tenths of a mile of a 10,000 foot mountain volcano in Hawaii using crutches, all since becoming disabled.

He generously shares his knowledge and experiences with others through his blog, on forums, the Internet and now writing this inspirational and motivating book. Craig demonstrates we have the power to control our response to adversity. His time is short, but that has not stopped Craig from Living Life on His Terms. 

How is This Book Making an Impact?

This book is actually making a difference in people’s lives who read it and get the messages contain within the covers. The responses to his book have been unbelievable judging by the comments received such as, “I couldn't wait [to get the book] and then I couldn't put it down!” “I LOVE your book! Don't think I've ever read anything that quoted Yoda!” 'I am reading your book for the second time! The frustration I am feeling with the medical community is growing everyday.....is it seizures? MS? Parkinson's? None of the above? All of the above? Your book HAS really helped me." “I just about spewed my Lucky Charms all over my keyboard as I was reading your ‘Sharing My Final Wishes’ section of your book.” “Excellent words, Craig! …… - And by the way - I am loving your book! [I] Had a hard time putting it down!" "My mother and I have read your book and believe me it had a very deep impact on us. We were unaware of all of the "fun" you were having during your doctor evaluation period." Finally, “I was laughing so hard while reading your book on the beach, the people next to me asked me to quiet down.”

I sincerely thank you and appreciate your time reading this post.

I thank Mike Weins and David for allowing me the opportunity to share my new book with you on the forums. I believe people will discover much of how we must live within the covers of the book, in addition learn new lessons from our perspective on life, possibly creating a paradigm shift in their thinking. I believe it is very important people have a better understanding of what we must endure and tolerate each day of our lives.

Peace be with you all.

[stillstANNding]

Way to go, Craig! Congratulations and thank you!
ANN

[SalpalSally]

WooHoo, Craig. I'm in the middle of reading it now, on my comfy little Kindle with the bigger print.

[Gabriella7]

Preview the Book

You can go to Amazon.com and the site will allow you to review a lot of the book. Craig gives his prospective on how to live with his disease successfully and I admire his courage and determination in doing so. He doesn't have MS so the challenges are going to be different for each person. I wish him much success with the book. He writes his biographical journey and it is written in a motivational theme along the lines of other books which he has in his personal library.

I have more books written by women with MS as I feel I can relate to the problems that women have that men do not have. In that vane more men would probably relate to Craig's book.

Gabriella

[Virginia]

I just read the book and enjoyed Craig's full of life account of his journey this far. I can't even imagine what it must have taken to write this book given your current level of disability. That in itself is inspiring, but the contents of the book are also. Many things to be learned from your experiences and how you are dealing with them. My thanks to you for caring about life and others enough to share this.

Virginia

[Abby2006]

Congratulations

Abby

[Cherie]

Finished it Saturday and my review is on Amazon. I've "known" Craig almost since his first diagnosis in 2000 and met him for the first time in the Spring of 2003 when he was still able to get around quite well with his forearm crutches. He pulls no punches about the role of depression in one with a chronic illness, sleep deprivation, intractable pain. And he is encouraging about how to face it and manage it. It's a book that I think one will get something new from with each new reading.

You see...it's easy reading and can be read through quickly but in my opinion, it is a book that is well suited to a second, third or fourth read through.

[renee]

Hoo rah

Congrats Craig! No 'fear of blank canvas' moments?
I doubt it.

[Mariel]

Great to hear this, Craig!:angel:

[Parsi]

Congratulations, Craig.

[SalpalSally]

Still reading your book, Craig and, so far, loving it. I'm also in the middle of a good mystery, so it may be a little while before I finish. I'll do a report on Amazon, as well.

[NeuroNixed Craig]

Thank you Sally for taking the time to read my book and sharing your thoughts as you go along. I think you will be able to fully enjoy both books at the same time and I'm happy you enjoy reading. For those who have read my book you will understand the significance of this next statement. After a long search I found and purchased the perfect Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar which they stopped making in 1980. I will attempt to stick the image here so you can see it.

Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar Box Shot 2.jpg

[NeuroNixed Craig]

You can go to Amazon.com and the site will allow you to review a lot of the book. Craig gives his prospective on how to live with his disease successfully and I admire his courage and determination in doing so. He doesn't have MS so the challenges are going to be different for each person. I wish him much success with the book. He writes his biographical journey and it is written in a motivational theme along the lines of other books which he has in his personal library.

I sincerely appreciate your comments as positive as they may appear. I've been thinking a great deal about your post ever since I first read it and have actively discussed your conclusion with many people. If you will allow me, I would like to share some of my thoughts on your post and eventual conclusion.

While I believe everyone has an opinion and full rights to express their opinion, I would like to address a few points you made earlier. I find it very interesting you make a final determination about a book simply by reading what is posted in the information on the book seller's site. The fact that I do not have an MS diagnosis in relation to the information shared throughout the book is not at all relevant, as the entire book is dealing with anyone who is chronically ill and dealing with challenges. An MS diagnosis is not required to quantify validity of the book's message. You made a broad-stroked statement my not having MS appears to invalidate the challenges presented, based only on what you read, when in reality my symptoms are not unlike someone who is dealing with severe PPMS. Although, I have the added stress of my prognoses being terminal. Not everyone diagnosed with MS has the same symptoms as can be revealed within this forum.

I have more books written by women with MS as I feel I can relate to the problems that women have that men do not have. In that vane more men would probably relate to Craig's book.Gabriella

Now here is where lack of complete information and improper conjecture lead to inapplicable conclusions. It is fine you prefer to read specifically MS related books and then only those written by women. Albeit, I believe the result is a very narrow view of the big picture and presents limited thinking on such an extensive subject. To state as a point of fact the book is geared and appreciated by more men than would be by women is a comment not relevant in truth what-so-ever. Again, this may be your personal opinion but your statement presents as if this is a given. Ironically of all the responses, telephone calls, emails, letters, facebook messages and comments on forums, the vast majority are from very appreciative women. The ratio running at approximately 12 to15 women to each man. I only present this to show how important actually reading an entire book would yield better benefit to thoughts and the importance of perspective on any one subject, is so important.

Gabriella, I mean no malice in my observations and comments directly addressing your posts, yet I felt strongly prompted to respond from another perspective for the readers to consider, especially those who would invest the time to read the entire book. In this case, I believe reviewing the above points suggests many times in life there may be no right or wrong, simply it is what it is to each person, therefore, we are in a position to agree to disagree. I do respect the time and interest you demonstrated in reviewing the book's basic sales site and presenting your comments here. That means a great deal to me and I appreciate it in all respects.

Finally Gabriella, I do apologize for "running off at the keys." That and tending to ramble while talking has been a residual affect of my near fatal brain stem stroke and it really irritates me. I can only imagine how other people feel. Thank you for reading my response with patience and tolerance.

[Cherie]

Craig,
I did not sense a rambling or any of the loss of focus on the point at hand that comes with rambling. What you had to say was clear, concise and to the point.

Although there are reviews on Amazon that will give the potential reader a "taste" of the book, I could never assume to promote a book in any way, shape or form just by reading reviews. For me the first 1/3 of the book was somewhat difficult to wade through as you tended to skip from topic to topic (or ramble ) there and I made the mistake of trying to read it in a crowded waiting room so lost much of what should have sunk in. And it was your story and I was familiar with it!

The last 1/3 is a must read for EVERYBODY who must make permanent changes to lifestyle, financial management, etc. It is the nuts and bolts of this writing. Some people who prefer novels or light reading might find this less appealing. But face it, we are all dealing with our own mortality to some degree than others and You, Craig, are facing that end or transition far sooner than most of us reading. I found the organization of "putting one's house in order" concise, practical, helpful and probably one of the things of greatest value in this writing.

[NeuroNixed Craig]

Craig,
I did not sense a rambling or any of the loss of focus on the point at hand that comes with rambling. What you had to say was clear, concise and to the point.

Although there are reviews on Amazon that will give the potential reader a "taste" of the book, I could never assume to promote a book in any way, shape or form just by reading reviews. For me the first 1/3 of the book was somewhat difficult to wade through as you tended to skip from topic to topic (or ramble ) there and I made the mistake of trying to read it in a crowded waiting room so lost much of what should have sunk in. And it was your story and I was familiar with it!

The last 1/3 is a must read for EVERYBODY who must make permanent changes to lifestyle, financial management, etc. It is the nuts and bolts of this writing. Some people who prefer novels or light reading might find this less appealing. But face it, we are all dealing with our own mortality to some degree than others and You, Craig, are facing that end or transition far sooner than most of us reading. I found the organization of "putting one's house in order" concise, practical, helpful and probably one of the things of greatest value in this writing.

WOW! Cherie, I wish I could have put it so clearly. Maybe the wrong person wrote this book. You are spot on about those who read novels or light reading and that's OK too. Ironically, this book was never meant to be published, only shared with my children and grandchildren, but it took on a life of its own. I never expected nor intended to create something that would please everyone. The thought and/or objective itself would be a fools errand.

I felt Gabriella brought out some very good points in such a well thought out and concise manner, I wished to address them as best I could from another perspective. All in all, I felt the experience very rewarding working my way through the process of evaluating and understanding her perspective.

Your perspective, however, is always very clear, easy to understand and from a perspective worthy of learning something new. I greatly appreciate your reviews and contributions based on your personal, professional knowledge and experience. No matter how I look at this, it is a valuable learning experience for me stimulating a chance to converse with so many other people at a level I never anticipated. Based upon this current evaluation of the book, I am so relieved you were not subjected to the first four (4) versions. I may have suffered bodily harm as a result. :o

As always Cherie, thank you my friend.