The core of this book was created by Jody Mardula over several years following a life-threatening stroke - a fairly unusual type of stroke known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage. At the time, Jody was Director of a world-renowned mindfulness centre at Bangor University. The stroke - along with a second 11 months later and a subsequent diagnosis of vascular dementia - affected Jody both psychologically and physically. In Mindfulness and Stroke, she charts her journey from the day of her first stroke, and explains how she adapted short, easy-to-learn mindfulness practices in order to support herself, manage the impact of her injury and make sense of her situation. Jody's text is enhanced by clinical neuropsychologist Frances Vaughan, whose 'Neuro Notes' provide information and advice about coping with the events described in each section of Jody's writing. Frances also contributes Section Two of the book - ten chapters explaining some of Jody's experiences, and looking more broadly at brain injury and its impact on areas of life such as attention, memory, self-awareness and identity.
JODY MARDULA is a psychotherapist and supervisor whose professional background in addiction counselling, training and services management culminated in a role as Director of Counselling, Supervision and Training for CAIS, The North Wales Drug and Alcohol Agency, from 1987 to 2006. Jody was also for many years a highly respected practitioner, trainer and examiner in the field of Transactional Analysis (TA). In 2007 she joined the team at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University, UK, and in 2008 she was appointed the Centre's Director. While serving in this role, Jody suffered her first stroke in 2010 and returned to work after this. She left her post after suffering a second stroke in 2012. She continues to train and teach at a reduced level. She has written numerous journal articles and is the author of chapters on mindfulness in therapy in several edited books. DR FRANCES VAUGHAN is a clinical neuropsychologist with a background in cognitive and neuropsychology research. After a PhD in cognitive science, and a series of neuropsychology research posts in hospitals and universities around the U.K, Frances went on to train as a clinical psychologist in Bangor. She worked in a service for people with dementia, and later, the North Wales Brain Injury Service. At the same time, she had various part-time research and teaching positions at Bangor University. In one of these, she developed and was Director of a clinical neuropsychology training program for clinical psychologists. More recently, Frances developed a neuropsychological service to support families living with a brain injury, and carried out research into the effects of learning to practice mindfulness after a brain injury. Frances has an Honorary Senior Lectureship at Bangor University.
SECTION ONE (JODY MARDULA) PART ONE: TSUNAMI IN MY BRAIN The Beginning and the End; 2. Leaving the Hospital and Coming Home; 3. There is a Crack in Everything; 4. That's Where the Light Gets In PART TWO: CANNOT GO THAT WAY Over the Bridge; 6. Leave Everything You Know Behind; 7. The Way Lies Over the Mountains; 8. Living in the View from My Window PART THREE: OVER THE MOUNTAINS The Cup: Building Support; 10. Back to Work and Cognitive Testing; 11. Living in My Brain; 12. When Getting Better is Getting Worse PART FOUR: DOWN INTO A NEW WORLD Lightning Does Strike Twice; 14. The Landscape Changes; 15. Edge of the Woods; 16. Hum in the Woods PART FIVE: INTO THE WOODS Further into the Woods; 18. Wolves in the Woods; 19. Out of the Woods and Building a Camp; 20. Paths that Close and Open PART SIX: IN THE CAMP Falling Mind; 22. Perception; 23. The Trouble with Travelling; 24. And Change Goes Ever On and On PART SEVEN: LEAVING THE CAMP Memory Clinic and Tattoo; 26. The Unseen Wounds of Brain Injury; 27. A New Story to be Leaved and Breathed; 28. Return to the Beginning SECTION TWO (FRANCES VAUGHAN) 1. Introduction; 2. Attention; 3. Memory; 4. Planning and Organisation; Perception; 6. Loss and Grief; 7. Self-Awareness; 8. Identity; 9. Acceptance; 10. Families
'Jody is one of the wisest women I have known. Her story is inspiring and jaw-dropping.'Ruby Wax, author of A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled; 'This remarkable story begins with its author suddenly close to death - as if on a raft floating towards it. But the raft turned. She returned to life - but, in so many ways, not the same one at all. The book is witness to Jody's own persistence and openness, to Frances's wise encouragement, and to the gentle help of family and friends. It is written so that we, when this happens to us or to our loved ones, may also find the courage to discover new ways of living life.' Mark Williams, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford
