Against Medical Advice: One Family's Struggle with an Agonizing Medical Mystery

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Product Description
Cory Friedman woke up one morning when he was five years old with the uncontrollable urge to twitch his neck. From that day forward his life became a hell of irrepressible tics and involuntary utterances, and Cory embarked on an excruciating journey from specialist to specialist to discover the cause of his disease. Soon it became unclear what tics were symptoms of his disease and what were side effects of the countless combinations of drugs. The only certainty is that it kept getting worse. Simply put: Cory Friedman's life was a living hell.

AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE is the true story of Cory and his family's decades-long battle for survival in the face of extraordinary difficulties and a maddening medical establishment. It is a heart-rending story of struggle and triumph with a climax as dramatic as any James Patterson thriller. (2008)

Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

Insight into life with Tourette's Syndrome or Disorder October 26, 2008
24 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is an fascinating, discouraging, and ultimately hopeful story of one child's struggle with Tourette's Syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcoholism and misunderstanding. Although Corey, the one afflicted, did not write the book, the authors present it in the first person, giving the story a personal feel and immediacy. Corey develops a severe form of Tourette's at age five. He is given a variety of medicines over the years, and he suffers from a bewildering and distressing constellation of symptoms. Not surprisingly, he struggles at home and at school. Some of his teachers are understanding, and some are hostile, as he often disrupts the classroom with his unorthodox behaviors.

The book details how Corey receives ill treatment at the hands of the medical and educational establishments. Some of his doctors suffer from the messiah complex: the inability to admit that they might have prescribed the wrong medicine. Some of his teachers do not like him, because he can appear very difficult in class. He has a very hard time making friends. This prolongs and intensifies his misery.

I didn't always feel complete sympathy for Corey. At times, especially toward the end of the book, some of his complaining feels excessive. Corey maintains that his school aid entrapped him, reporting him for smoking on campus, an activity which was previously tolerated. He does admit that they "can't officially allow me to have a cigarette on the property." and he was supposed to walk far away from the school, but he was "a little lazy." He feels persecuted by the school board that recommends he repeat his junior year. After reading about the events of that year, It seemed that it was a reasonable decision, but the authors describe the board in highly unfavorable terms. The school relents when his mother makes a impassioned case for allowing him to continue. Still, they get very little sympathy from Corey.

The story is a valuable history of a child and a condition that is still a medical mystery. The writing is personal, direct, and to the point. I completed the entire book in two days. It seemed that Corey was speaking directly to me as I read. If you have an interest in Tourette's you should read this book, because it gives valuable insight into a personal experience. You cannot get this insight from a medical textbook. What emerges is the fact that modern medicine did not make anything easier for this young man. The education system helped him in some ways, but failed him in others. This book may not be a masterpiece of non fiction, but it could be a good and useful book for physicians and educators alike.

5 out of 5 stars

Incredibly familiar October 22, 2008
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

This book was a phenomenal retelling of the life of someone with Tourette Syndrome. As a mother of three boys who all have the same diagnosis as Cory, I feel like I can adequately say that I am more of an authority on the subject than most. As I read through his life struggles, weeping through a great many of the pages, I could identify with much of the grief and pain that he and his parents have gone through. I believe that everything in the book was very accurately portrayed, from the lack of understanding of the educational system to the medical roller coaster ride of trial and error, not to mention the misery inflicted by social situations. I feel like the book was tastefully written to not bash the people who do not understand this condition, (including medical/mental health professionals) but to portray the frustration and mental anguish caused by this lack of understanding.

I highly recommend this book to all, but especially to those who have the fortunate opportunity to touch the life of someone with Tourette Syndrome. As is obvious in Cory's case, these children are incredible. They have to overcome so much more than the rest of us would ever dream of imagining just to live, let alone succeed. Thank you Cory, for sharing your life with us.

5 out of 5 stars

A great read, an intense book October 21, 2008
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

Some parts are intense. A few pages are among the realest, most moving pages you will ever read. Some parts were tough to experience through Cory's eyes, but the comfort and redemption of this book and the message it leaves you with is that we as Human beings are strong and can endure more than we can imagine if we refuse to be defined by our misfortune and embrace the love of those that love us. This book, better than any I have read, tells a true story in a real way.

3 out of 5 stars

Be very careful with how you read this book October 21, 2008
13 out of 20 found this review helpful

The first thing you have to do is forget the name James Patterson.

Against Medical Advice is the true story of Cory Friedman and his battle with Tourette's syndrome - a debilitating and intrusive disease. It is sad reading about the happenings of Cory. You feel for him and wish there was something you could do. Maybe after reading this you'll be motivated to do more research on this disease and, if money isn't an issue, help with foundations.

As for the writing.....

The story is told from Cory's point of view and his voice. At the onset of the book it's revealed that Cory's father, Hal, had a draft of the manuscript. He showed it to Mr. Patterson - a friend of his - and it was off to the publisher. When you read this book you can't help but see the fiction influence of Patterson. I believe it's too much, though. This story is written with the Patterson's signature suspense qualities: short chapters, short sentences, easy sentences, and cliff-hanging chapter endings. That's all fine and dandy. A lot of non-fiction authors have used these methods. Patterson, though, seems to saturate the story with these qualities-turned-flaws. I kept thinking I was reading one of his stand-alone novels. Although this may sound attractive, it tends to strip the bond the reader should develop with Cory. Suddenly, Cory sounds just like a character from another novel. That's why you have to forget who's name is on the cover and see the story for what it is.

And what's more.........this is another co-authored book. Right at the beginning you feel, you almost know, that all Patterson did was sign his name, and maybe suggest how it should be edited. It's clear that it was the boy's father who did the writing (he's a published writer anyways). So is this really Patterson's flight into non-fiction?

On the plus side, this is a fast-paced, short book, that can be finished in one day.

5 out of 5 stars

What a powerful story! October 21, 2008
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

This is a wonderful book about a strong young man with a similarly strong family. I personally do not know anyone with Tourette's syndrome and can only imagine how moving this book will be for them, given the effect it has had on me.

I feel honored to have had the opportunity to read this book about a truly remarkable young man named Cory Friedman and his wonderfully supportive family. It is a tale that has inspired me and humbled me. Reading about Cory's life makes me realize how incredibly strong some people REALLY are, how incredibly powerful their will to live is, and how incredibly powerful some families' bonds are.

If you want to read a book that will uplift your spirit and open your eyes to something beyond outstanding, then do not hesitate to read this book - you will hang on every page and probably finish it in several hours like I did!

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