Life couldn’t have been better for Julia Fox Garrison. In the summer of 1997, she was enjoying life with her terrific husband Jim and watching their three year old son explore his world. Engrossed in a promising career as an executive in the computer industry, she worried about the things all wives and mothers are concerned about. Juggling the challenges of wife, mother and career woman were the biggest roles she had to face. On July 17, that would change giving her a new set of challenges she never thought she’d have.
Julia had a severe stroke that day. Although struggle was involved in her life from that moment, it is how Julia lives life that inspires and gives hope to all who hear about her.
Garrison is not a stroke victim. She is a woman who lives with the cards life has dealt. In a few months, Julia Fox Garrison was making serious plans to win her life back. To say it was a changed and difficult one in which the accomplishing of what used to be simple tasks is certainly true. With the help of her husband Jim, parents, eight brothers and many friends, Julia focused on how she could share the gift of her life with humor and compassion. Always concerned with the needs of others, Julia set out to create happiness.
As she reset goals and priorities, she realized she had much to say about facing adverse and tragic circumstances. Julia was interviewed for an hour by WBZ’s Jordan Rich, something he rarely does. She is in a word extraordinary
A motivational speaker, Garrison is the author of the memoir Don’t Leave Me This Way: Or When I Get On My Feet You’ll be Sorry. If you can’t imagine viewing the medical profession with humor, you will understand how it is possible after meeting her. Julia will entertain and inspire, and you will come away from this show with an appreciation of how important humor is in surviving the challenges we are all given. Please join me in welcoming this exceptional woman. Below you will find some information about her and the memoir, Don’t Leave Me This Way available on bookshare and from Harper Collins. It’s an inspiring portrayal of how one strongwoman put her life back together.
Julia Fox Garrison had a promising executive career in the computer industry when she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and paralyzing stroke. While recovering, Julia realized that she had a lot to say. There were lessons to share—about humor, inner strength, self-determination—all chronicled in her memoir, Don't Leave Me This Way: or when I get back on my feet you’ll be sorry, published by HarperCollins Publishers.
Media Recognition
Since the publication of her book, Julia has appeared on various media outlets throughout the US and Canada including: Good Morning America, Fox25, BBC, and Oprah and Friends with Dr. Oz. Her story was also featured in PEOPLE Magazine. Julia's memoir was selected by Barnes & Noble for their Discover Great New Writers program. The Reader’s Digest featured her book in its Today’s Best Non-fiction edition. The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) recognized Julia’s book for furthering their mission: "to advance the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits."
Motivational Speaker, Health Care Advocate
Julia does motivational speaking, evangelizing for humaneness in medicine. She also speaks to support and patient advocacy groups, businesses, and communities, where she shares her story of personal triumph against overwhelming odds.
How lucky I am to be on this life journey!
When I woke up in the hospital after suffering a massive hemorrhagic stroke on July 17, 1997, my first thought was, "I have a purpose here on earth. I don't know what it is right now, but I’m here for a reason." I was, at the time, completely paralyzed on my left side and fighting for my life, yet I had this powerful feeling that I wasn't going to die because I had something important to do.
Post-stroke I have come to realize that my purpose is to spread a message of hope through my book, Don't Leave Me This Way, which chronicles my recovery from the devastating effects of stroke. The message is simple: steely determination, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor go a long way toward overcoming even the most imposing obstacles that might confront us on this life journey.
May happiness always be on your doorstep, or in your suitcase on your journey.
Host, Bonnie Blose
E-Mail: bookmaven1@frontier.com
