The Shape of Stillness: How a Rare Neurological Disorder Helped Me Realign My Life

Fifty-six-year-old social worker Elaine Ben-Yaacov had just finished hosting a holiday dinner for friends and family when her life cracked. With the left half of her face numb and paralyzed, it took doctors six whole days to rule out the usual suspects—Bell’s palsy or a stroke—before diagnosing her with the rare neurological Ramsay Hunt syndrome. For eight straight months, Elaine’s nerve damage ravaged her ability to walk, move, or even sit up straight, alternating between nausea and a constant sensation of falling.For Elaine, the sudden change between being a professional, clinical caregiver to being cared for proved to be both a challenge and a blessing. Her year with Ramsay Hunt syndrome taught her that her identity did not have to be built on her usefulness alone, and that through diligent physical, mental and emotional dedication along with a strong social support system, the body is capable of healing, even in the face of life-altering neurological damage. More than an inspiring, life-affirming memoir, The Shape of Stillness is a collection of Elaine’s many insights of self-compassion, and an invaluable guide to anyone facing a life challenge — medical, social, or personal — and a testament to the relationship between the body and the mind.