Stranger In The Mirror

About the Book

A man’s character is revealed by his actions. Author Michael Little suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage, which left him unable to speak intelligibly, crippled, blind, and senseless. Michael refused to be defined by his injury, choosing instead to let his struggle and recovery speak for him. Stranger in the Mirror is the story of one man’s journey through his dark night of soul to enlightenment. Michael shows us that our lives are full of choices and our limitations are often self-imposed. Facing tragedy with humor, grit and grace, Michael found redemption. In writing this remarkable book, he shows the way for all of us, to reassess and redirect our lives in a more positive meaningful direction.

            Stranger in the Mirror is a highly literate book that may send some readers scrambling for their dictionary. The author isn’t showing off, but he is careful to use the words he means, and mean what he writes.  This joyous book is a dazzling tour de force, filled with humor and wisdom. It is sure to inspire courage and bring hope to stroke and brain injured survivors and their families. Michael shows all of us we, too, can have the happy ending we deserve. This powerful book will lift you to new heights where the air is thinner. This is the owner’s manual stroke and brain injury survivors need. Brain injury needn’t be the end. It can be a beginning.

            More than half this wonderful book is of a medical nature; what families and survivors should know to help them move forward. The balance focuses on the author’s struggles, his blunders, and his insights into a brain damaged world. “The author should be immensely proud. This book is good medicine. You‘ll laugh out loud!” said author Mark Twain. 

About the Author

After Michael Edward Little suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, his doctor suggested he write a book about his experience to help other brain injury and stroke survivors and their families through the experience of injury, rehabilitation, and return. Stranger in the Mirror is that book. This deeply moving personal account of brain damage is unlike anything ever written. The author is so open and honest about his experiences, you may squirm when you read his work. He doesn’t talk down to readers, but instead invites us into the same nightmare many people quietly confront every year. Like the best works of O. Henry, the author’s work is often ironic, humorous, and perceptive of the human condition, with a surprise ending. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down, because the author shares what he learned and how he learned it. He writes of great truths we can learn if we pay attention to the world around us. Your own life-experience will confirm many of his observations. “Good writing always teaches us something or shows us a new way of looking at things,” Michael said recently.

            Michael frequently speaks before groups of brain injury survivors, stroke survivors, and medical professionals. His talks are always filled with laughter and joy. He considers his brain hemorrhage a blessing. “My experience was terrifying and I was scared to death, but I’m more compassionate, and a better person because of it.“ he says. “Bad things happen to everyone. How we deal with them defines the world we live in. That was an important lesson I learned from my experience. Most people consider brain hemorrhage something terrible, but for me it was wonderful. This sounds goofy, but it‘s true.” Presently the author is happily studying the works of Seneca.