Laura Gallagher
Description
After a second concussion in less than 24 hours, 14-year-old Laura developed intense pain that, dozens of doctors and over a decade later, still persi
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sts. Doctor after doctor dismissed her as not their specialty or a lost cause, but she refused to give up or let her worsening conditions keep her from following her dreams—even as she moved closer and closer to death.
In My Invisible Death, you follow Laura’s journey from a healthy, vibrant teen to being labeled a chronically ill, lost cause to her first steps on the long road of improvement. This memoir gives readers a first-hand look at the challenges of living with multiple invisible illnesses and the strength it takes to advocate for yourself when you “look fine” or when no one believes you can be helped. Laura’s story highlights the limitations and perspectives of both patients and medical providers in an attempt to bridge the gap of miscommunication and blame that too often occurs on both sides.
This book is raw, honest, and heartbreaking, but also instructional, hopeful, and inspirational, showing the power behind mindset, determination, and consistent practice of neuroplasticity. Laura leaves readers with practical strategies and advice you can use on your own journey—even if you’ve been labeled a lost cause.
IN MY INVISIBLE DEATH, YOU WILL DISCOVER THE CHALLENGES OF INVISIBLE ILLNESSES, SUCH AS: Getting doctors to treat the whole body instead of single specialties Convincing people to believe symptoms they can’t see Struggling to balance living life and taking care of yourself Having to repeatedly advocate for yourself to the people who are supposed to help Standing up against harmful assumptions and injustices Navigating providers disagreeing on the correct course of treatment Surviving the toll of intractable pain on the nervous system, personal identity, and mental health
Her story serves as a guide for patients on how to navigate the medical field with chronic illness and find empowerment and purpose through devastating circumstances. Laura’s story will give you a new perspective on invisible illnesses and the struggles chronically ill people face on a daily basis—most often from the people who are supposed to help them the most. Additionally, it provides medical providers with a new appreciation of the true complexity of comorbid patients.
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