We Carry Each Other: Getting Through Life's Toughest Times by Eric Langshur, Mary Beth Sammons, Sharon Langshur

From the Publisher

A Course in Compassionate Caring

We Carry Each Other is the definitive resource on what to say and do when you or a loved one suffer illness or loss. What do you say to a friend with invasive cancer whose body is rejecting her second transplanted kidney? How do you answer when she says, "I'm really scared this time"? How do you comfort your next-door neighbor when she calls to say that her husband died in his sleep? And, what do you do if you are a fiercely independent single mom who is suddenly brought to her knees when she finds her teenage son is dying?

The stories in We Carry Each Other are born organically through the CarePages community -- one of the world's largest social networking sites, with over 3 million members, where lifestyle and health needs meet community and emotional support. These stories of everyday heroes are sure to inspire a social movement in compassionate caring toward those struggling with illness, loss, and life's difficulties, much like Random Acts of Kindness launched worldwide attention to simple acts of goodness.

We Carry Each Other is a guide to finding the courage inside ourselves to open our hearts and spirits, and reach out with caring and compassion when a spouse, child, parent, friend, neighbor, or colleague needs us most.

This is a support group in book form, with invaluable resources and tips.

Barbara M. Bibel - Library Journal

How do you help someone who is sick? What do you say to a friend who has lost a parent? Finding ways to assist the sick, the bereaved, and those caring for the ill or disabled can be difficult. Sharon Langshur and Eric Langshur, a pediatrician and a health-care services provider, respectively, had a son born with congenital heart disease. To keep family and friends informed about his condition, they created a "care page" web site and found that the messages received in response provided much-needed support. That homegrown endeavor gave rise to the million-plus-member CarePages.com for patients, families, and health-care providers. This book presents stories of people who have used the service, which furnishes examples of providing care and support in a variety of contexts. There are also lists of tips for helping both patients and caregivers. Calling, emailing, bringing food, and having family meetings to plan care are among the actions suggested. This information is readily available in other sources, but the firsthand accounts offer a unique human dimension that will make readers realize they are not alone. Recommended for public and consumer health collections.

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