I’m always pleasantly surprised by books published by Wydawnictwo Promic. Not only in relation to children’s books, but also books for adults. It has published many valuable works. Lately I’ve read a moving, but full of hope book The Bitter Gift by Ms Grażyna Zielińska. It describes her story and her struggle against the severe illness of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The book is beautiful and unique, because despite the pain and suffering experienced daily by the author, she can still enjoy life, have hope and give it to others…
Grażyna Zielińska is a successful woman who has never given up, she’s still fighting today and encouraging other people struggling with the MS to fight. She wants to show us that everything can be overcome – our weakness, fear and doubts. She dedicates her book also to the families and friends of people who live with the MS, as well as their doctors. She believes that her book might inspire them to study the source of this illness and suggest a way to treat it effectively. She also says that normal living is possible despite this illness – you don’t have to give up on life or close yourself to the world.
The author describes her symptoms, such as deteriorating eyesight, jaw pains, numbness of fingers, the stages of her treatment. The pain was unbearable – so strong that she was even considering a suicide just to make them stop When she heard the diagnosis she was afraid that she wouldn’t fulfil her dreams, wouldn’t raise her children, that her husband would abandon her. But she decided to fight. She accepted an often painful treatment (on steroids), started developing an optimistic attitude and …. entrusted her life to God. Here’s what she wrote:
“I (…) believe that by listening to God’s voice and offering one’s own life to Him one can achieve the right goal. Listen to His voice which lies within you. The very cause of the MS lies within you also, so dispose of it. Push away your complexes, prejudices and anger towards others and towards yourself. (…) Once you stand against all the things which used to weight you down, you will surely realise that even us, the sick ones, can be attractive spouses, parents worth looking up to, fully efficient employees and people who can leave a valuable legacy.”
I’m impressed both by the book and by the author’s attitude. Her approach to her illness and her attitude towards life are amazing. I can feel that Ms Grażyna is a person with a positive approach to life, who enjoys it and lives it to the fullest, and who encourages others to do the same.
This book let me learn more about this illness, to gain knowledge about it and to understand more about the suffering and pain it brings to people who suffer from it. I think that through her book the Author also wanted to highlight the importance to do tests is something worries us about our health. Not to accept the first diagnosis, but to keep looking. It often happens that we downplay some symptoms, explaining our poor health condition with being overworked, tired, family problems and stress. It’s better to listen to your body and not ignore the warning signs it’s trying to send…
I consider the book very optimistic, despite its descriptions of pain and struggles. I believe that it can bring support and hope to MS sufferers.
”Prove just how much you still have to offer in spite of your illness’ limitations. Your problems don’t justify withdrawal from life – on the contrary, it’s a chance to tap into the inner power, rarely used by healthy people. Prove that despite the crushing diagnosis you’re still a capable person. Take control of your life and set yourself goals to forget about the illness. Face you inner battle – and win it.”
The book is an easy and quick read (I read the 163 pages in a couple of hours). I’m very glad that books like this get published. After the read I have an appetite for more, and I can’t wait for the next part of the story written by Ms Grażyna Zielińska, The Crystal Gift. I’m very much looking forward to it!
https://mamatosiaczka.blogspot.com/2017/05/gorzki-dar-g-zielinska-wyd-promic.html