5Talking Out of Both Sides of My Mouth is the memoir of Deborah C. Parsons. Ms. Parsons worked as a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist at Genesis Rehabilitation hospital in Jacksonville Florida. At the age of 41 she was a well-respected, strong professional with excellent skills as a therapist, then she experienced a major right hemisphere stroke. The stroke rendered her incapable of walking or being independent. She required rehabilitation therapy to regain her lost skills. To get rehabilitation therapy, she was admitted to Genesis and received therapy from her former colleagues. After six months of rehabilitation she was again able to walk and regained some independence. She was allowed to return to her former position, but the stroke had left her unable to perform her duties as she had in the past and she was no longer employable. After some time at home and learning to cope with unemployment she was able to adjust to her disabilities and was doing well until the event of a grand mal seizure took her by surprise. This became a new challenge for her and her significant other, Jerry Martin.
She and her significant other, Jerry Martin decided to marry and she tells the story of this event which was briefly marred by a grand mal seizure. After returning home, eventually settling into life as a stay at home housewife she finds that her disabilities are a continuous source of difficulty in day- to- day living.
Eventually, she and her husband find their way into retirement in Ocala, Florida. After many years of learning to cope with her disabilities she is finally able to return to her memoir and bring it up to date.
Talking Out of Both Sides of My Mouth is an honest and informative look at the stroke and rehabilitation experience.