Mindfulness and Stroke: A Personal Story of Managing Brain Injury

The core of this unique book was written by Jody Mardula over several years following a life-threatening stroke. At the time, Jody was Director of a world-renowned mindfulness centre at Bangor University. The stroke, along with a second two years later and a subsequent diagnosis of vascular dementia, impacted Jody both physically and psychologically. Mindfulness was key to how she sought to manage these events. In Mindfulness and Stroke, Jody shares her experiences in the form of an illustrated journey, recording how she took things one day at a time and adapted simple, easy-to-learn mindfulness techniques to help her face challenges, stay positive and look to the future.Jody's highly personal account is balanced by a commentary from her colleague and friend, clinical neuropsychologist Frances Vaughan. Talking to Jody soon after her first stroke, it was clear to Frances that unlike most stroke survivors Jody had an unusual ability to describe what had happened and how the stroke had affected her. Frances's 'Neuro Notes' provide explanatory comments on each of Jody's chapters. Frances also contributes Part 2 of the book, looking in greater depth at the nature of Jody's two strokes, the various forms of stroke and brain injury that can occur, and their potential impact on areas of functioning like attention, memory, planning and self-identity. Read more