If you enjoy reading memoirs, learning about self-awareness, mental-health or just love a good story that speaks to you, then Cerebral Palsy: 'A Story' is for you! So why not read the most recent reviews for my book. Royalties to go to mental health charities. Copies can be bought through the website.

Abbie

Introduction to the book

Cerebral Palsy; A Story; Finding the Calm After the Storm’ by Ilana Estelle. l𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭? This is the incredible story of Ilana Estelle. Born the second of premature twins, an hour apart, from a young age Ilana knew she was different, but for all the wrong reasons. A child of the 60s, Ilana experienced first-hand the way that disability was, at the time, so often brushed under the carpet, not spoken about. Her constant physical and mental struggles made her feel isolated, alone, frustrated, and misunderstood. It took 46 years for her to find out why. part memoir, part motivational guide, Cerebral Palsy: My story is Ilana's open and honest journey from an angry, confused child, knowing something was wrong, not knowing what was wrong, what her disability was, or that there was a diagnosis - to the 'real' her - a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, resilience, and change.

The Review

"An open and honest read which is guaranteed to touch your heart! A true story of a woman who wasn’t diagnosed with cerebral palsy until her late 40s. She explains how different her childhood was not being able to do things like all the children and being in pain, yet not knowing why. It’s truly heart-breaking to read what she went through. Life is difficult as it is being child, having the frustrations of learning and growing up never mind adding a undiagnosed disability to the mix. Not only is the book a story into the authors life but also a motivational guide to help others. Help others find a balance in life, with a dive into self-discovery. Ilana is a strong, courageous, and inspirational woman. She hasn’t let her tough past define her and I’m in awe of her."

Bee

"Ilana Estelle's Cerebral Palsy: 'A Story' Finding the Calm After the Storm is a book that both educated and moved me pretty much from the first page. I hadn't honestly known how I would feel when I began to read it, or how it would affect me, but I was left in awe of Ilana.

The book blends the medical information and Ilana's story perfectly and I liked how it was done in small amounts so it's not information overload as you go. Whilst obviously the focus is on Cerebral Palsy, there are elements to her recollections that will resonate with others living with disabilities. That relatability makes so much of a difference to know that a stranger can get the frustration, the exhaustion, and the relief to know what is going on with your body when you've had to fight for answers.

This kind of book could be heavy and hard to read, be too much reliant on technical terminology but Ilana Estelle has assured that you can pick this up and learn about a person and their conditions. Whether you have Cerebral Palsy or various other conditions mentioned within the book or are simply curious about the condition, you are able to understand the illness though Estelle's eyes, the frustration of waiting so very long to have the correct answer given.

I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been to spend so long being told you have one thing but knowing even subconsciously that it was wrong. I was left in awe of Ilana Estelle, of the child she had been facing barrier after barrier in her life as she tried to progress through school and felt anger that there hadn't been enough support for her to succeed. I can't help but wonder just how different things could have been if just one person had acknowledged that it wasn't laziness etcetera holding her back and making work difficult. Sadly, something we still see occurring today in schools decades later.

Whilst the problems Ilana suffered with for so long were the initial reason for the blog that was the precursor to this incredible book? I am so glad that something negative first and foremost became a source of good for her but has also become a resource and sense of belonging for those who follow and gain something from it, and I truly believe the same will be said about Cerebral Palsy: A Story Finding the Calm After the Storm. I'm so glad I got to read this... I felt a plethora of emotion and came away truly affected."

If you're interested and fancy grabbing copies of any of my books, please go to the following link https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books/