Author Chris M. Tatevosian in his book, “Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me” chronicles his bout with Multiple Sclerosis “MS”. Giving an inside look into his diagnosis and progression of the disease, Chris thought he was unstoppable as a young college student. Chris, early in his freshman year of college, started coming down with strange symptoms that the doctor’s could not diagnose. Shortly after a visit to another doctor that summer break, while at home, the author re-tells the story of how he realized that he did actually have MS when his father broke him out of his denial by telling him, “You have MS.” At such a tender age, only a freshman in college, Chris had realized that his life had forever changed.
Until then Chris had high hopes for his life and this story is an example of how one man’s life has been interrupted and dramatically changed by the disease known as MS. The author in his book illustrates that dealing with a chronic illness can not only disrupt one’s life, but also can become a chronic issue in a marriage. The author takes a hard look at what attitudes and actions can affect one with a chronic illness, while shedding light on what it can do to a marriage.
The author candidly describes situations, circumstances, and actions that arose within his own marriage, that caused misery to his spouse and eventually ended in the divorce of a marriage that everyone thought would never end. The author humbly admits that many actions were of his own doing. The author whole-heartedly writes about his own “poor me attitude” and openly shares his thoughts, emotions and reactions in his own life due to MS. I find this book to be so earnestly honest and refreshing, in that, the author does not hold back in an attempt to save face. This work from the author does a superb job of capturing the confusion, loss, anger, and frustration that a person can go through while fighting a chronic illness. Thank you Chris for sharing your struggles with us.
The author’s purpose in writing this book is to help others dealing with chronic illness and how their attitude towards their spouse can be destroying their marriage or relationships. This book gives the reader a pro-active approach and helps them identify their own behavior as positive or negative. This book will encourage anyone, chronic illness or not, to consider their own relationships and shares how to deal with poor attitudes and actions pro-actively before it grows like a cancer and destroys a marriage or relationship.
Several vitally important key techniques characterize the book; one being that open communication is a must between spouses and especially to a couple dealing with a chronic illness. The author illustrates that recognizing the other’s need just as much as the disabled person can be a marriage saver. The author so humbly admits that, “It’s Not All About Me.” This book will encourage you to open up to your spouse and give you the knowledge of how to go about communication in your marriage when dealing with chronic illness.
The author continues to make a profound statement in that, “Awareness of, and providing attention to, your relationship-destroying actions are the keys to saving your relationship.” (P.79) Whatever your situation may be, we can all learn from our own mistakes and the mistakes of others. If we were to think about the above quote and put it into motion into our own lives, just think of how many relationships could be saved. This book will impact your life on a highly positive level.
This well written book offers encouragement to any who are dealing with a chronic illness or who might have a loved one affected by any disease. Life is not easy, especially when dealing with the roller coaster ride of a day-to-day illness. You will find out that you are not alone and there is hope beyond a chronic illness.
“Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me” is a recommended must read for anyone with a chronic illness. Kudos to you Chris for writing this heart rendering and honest memoir! As one with a chronic illness myself, you caused me to look at my own reactions to my loved ones. This book will open your eyes to see any damaging behavior in your own life and give you the courage to do something about it. I find this book profound in that it is a gentle nudge (or rather gentle slap in the face) to others to look at their own actions in their lives and remember, “It’s Not All About Me.”
A Must Read Book
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Christian Book Reviews
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0
Born in Australia and raised in Spokane, WA U.S.A. Carol Lee Anderson and her husband served in the Bible translation ministry with Wycliff Bible Translators located in Papau New Guinea. Carol currently teaches at the Moody Bible Institute at the Spokane campus.
