Every Day Counts: Lessons in Love, Faith, and Resilience From Children Facing Illness - Hardcover

Sirois, Maria; Sirois Psy. D., Maria

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802714951 ISBN 13: 9780802714954

Publisher: Walker & Company, 2006

Synopsis

When Maria Sirois worked on a pediatric oncology ward she was astounded by the children she counseled. They seemed to know intuitively what adults struggle to re-learn—that playing relieves stress; it’s okay to cry; love is not a cure but is a powerful antidote to pain; meaning in life comes not from what happens to us but how we respond; that you should look for ways to make each day special, even if it’s a bad day.

Every Day Counts chronicles the remarkable stories of the children Maria worked with. It speaks directly to anyone who is sick, but also to therapists, doctors, and nurses, presenting an inside look at how they cope with the emotional strain of caring for the seriously ill, of being touched by grief yet not consumed by it. Sirois revels in the big triumphs—some kids cured or in remission—and in the momentary victories, such as that of a seven-year-old, scheduled to have her leg amputated, who challenges Maria to a hopping race and gleefully says, “I’m winning, I’m winning.” By sharing her own experience, Maria Sirois has greatly enriched our own.

About this title

About the Author

Psychologist Maria Sirois did her internship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She was a lecturer for several years at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts. This is her first book. She lives in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Reviews

While psychologist Sirois served her internship in a pediatric oncology ward in Boston, she arguably learned more about resilience, love, and faith than she did about being a psychologist. This collection of stories about the seemingly superhuman spirits of kids who face dire experiences ranging from bone transplants to amputations to death reveals what most people have suspected all along--that children enduring severe illness can be wiser and more emotionally resilient than their parents. Indeed, many of the parents of the kids Sirois presents drew strength from their children--parents such as those of "Amelia Conlon," who, facing a bone marrow transplant, was cheerful and confident because she had spoken with God. God assured her she would be all right, and so certain was she that, when she no longer needed it, she turned the invisible shield God had given her over to her mom. From kids whose bravery elicits tears to kids who inspire by shaping their attitudes toward cancer to suit their needs, these children are genuinely inspirational. Donna Chavez
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Edition details

• Publisher: Walker & Company
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802714951
• ISBN 13: 9780802714954
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208