Brushstrokes: Thoughts and Reflections on Having Had a Small Stroke at 34 Years Old and the Nature of Illness Itself
Dawnay, Giles
Synopsis "Brushstrokes: Thoughts and Reflections on Having Had a Small Stroke at 34 Years Old and the Nature of Illness Itself"
Giles Dawnay is a 34 year old Doctor. Giles went back to medical school in his late twenties after being in the adventure travel industry, where he lived and worked in Peru, Ghana and Fiji. He now works as a Doctor in Hereford and in his spare time tries to keep himself fit and healthy (a regular Marathon and Ultra Marathon runner). However early in 2016 he had a small stroke which stopped him in his tracks. After various investigations and tests there was no cause found for it, just put down to one of life's random events. As part of the healing process he decided to write a selection of reflections, thoughts and poems on the experience.This book is set in the early days after the stroke. Attempting not only to explore the meaning of what has just happened and come to terms with it, but also life in general and what it is to be alive. Brushstrokes weaves in the reality of the fall out from the stroke, along with experiences Giles has had working in other countries and his current life as a Doctor. He also intertwines ideas from powerful books he has read and been touched by, along with previous personal tragedies from his own life.Brushstrokes gives a unique access to the reality and challenges faced in the early moments following a potentially life changing diagnosis. These were the reflections, thoughts and fears of Giles as he attempted to make sense of an otherwise insensible situation.
