Read sample Fortune Favours the Brave Paperback – 13 Dec. 2018 by Michelle Marcella Clarke (Author), Prof John Crown MB (Foreword) 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating See all formats and editions Michelle Clarke takes us on an extraordinary journey, through challenges most of us would never know, were it not for her courage to write this story.
In 1993, aged 32, she suffers a fractured skull in a horse-riding accident in Zimbabwe, an event which changes her life forever. The traumatic brain injury adds to her existing conditions of Bipolar, Anxiety and Chronic Fatigue. Her marriage fails and she returns to live in Ireland. In 2003, she meets KT at a bus stop in Dublin. He invites her for coffee, and they have been together ever since. The third member of their team is Freddie, a very special little rescue dog. In July 2017, the shocking diagnosis of breast cancer arrives via a routine mammogram and she enters the next phase of ill-health, but this time with the loving support of KT and Freddie. She records her journey through this cancer, primarily to help others, who are experiencing cancer, and their supportersand loved ones, but in doing so she also reaches out to all of us who care about the rare life story of a fellow human being. This was published through Amazon but very few copies were bought.
The book Fortune Favours the Brave by Michelle Marcella Clarke is available in multiple formats:
- Kindle Edition: £0.00 (free with Kindle Unlimited) or £4.99 to buy.
- Paperback: £8.99, with free delivery by Monday, 12 May to D04 (UK/Ireland) on your first eligible order if ordered within 9 hours 59 minutes. In stock, sold and dispatched by Amazon, with a 30-day return policy. Used and new copies also available from £8.99 with free delivery on eligible orders.
The paperback, published on 13 December 2018, has a 5.0-star rating based on 1 review. It chronicles Clarke’s life after a traumatic brain injury from a 1993 horse-riding accident, compounded by Bipolar, Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue, and a 2017 breast cancer diagnosis. The story highlights her resilience, supported by her partner KT and their rescue dog Freddie, aiming to inspire others facing similar challenges. Despite being published via Amazon, it has had limited sales.
more about resilience
Resilience, as exemplified in Fortune Favours the Brave by Michelle Marcella Clarke, is the capacity to adapt, endure, and recover from significant adversity, such as physical, emotional, or psychological challenges. Clarke’s story—navigating a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a 1993 horse-riding accident, managing pre-existing conditions like Bipolar, Anxiety, and Chronic Fatigue, and facing a breast cancer diagnosis in 2017—showcases resilience through her ability to persist, find meaning, and maintain hope despite overwhelming odds. Below is a deeper exploration of resilience, drawing from her narrative and broader insights:
Key Aspects of Resilience in Clarke’s Story
- Adapting to Life-Altering Challenges:
- After her TBI at age 32, Clarke faced cognitive, emotional, and physical limitations, compounded by her mental health conditions. Her return to Ireland after a failed marriage and her ability to rebuild her life demonstrate adaptability—a core resilience trait. She found new purpose, eventually forming a supportive relationship with KT, met serendipitously at a Dublin bus stop in 2003.
- Her 2017 breast cancer diagnosis, discovered through a routine mammogram, marked another blow. Yet, Clarke’s decision to document her journey to help others reflects a proactive approach to transforming suffering into purpose.
- Support Systems as a Resilience Pillar:
- Clarke’s partner, KT, and their rescue dog, Freddie, provided emotional grounding. Social support is a well-documented factor in resilience, offering a sense of belonging and stability. KT’s presence since 2003 and Freddie’s companionship gave Clarke strength to face cancer treatment and its uncertainties.
- Writing her book to support others with cancer and their loved ones further illustrates how resilience often involves leaning on and contributing to community.
- Finding Meaning Amid Suffering:
- Clarke’s narrative emphasizes purpose as a driver of resilience. By sharing her story, she aimed to inspire and guide others, turning personal pain into a resource for collective healing. This aligns with psychological research, such as Viktor Frankl’s work on finding meaning in suffering, which fosters resilience even in dire circumstances.
- Courage to Persist:
- Despite setbacks—health struggles, limited book sales, and societal stigma around mental health and disability—Clarke’s courage to write and publish her story reflects resilience. Her foreword by Prof. John Crown underscores her bravery, noting the “extraordinary journey” and her willingness to share vulnerabilities.
Broader Insights on Resilience
Resilience is not about invincibility but about bouncing back through learned skills and resources. Key elements include:
- Emotional Regulation: Managing intense emotions, as Clarke likely did with Bipolar and Anxiety, helps maintain stability. Techniques like mindfulness or therapy can bolster this.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Clarke’s ability to navigate complex medical systems and life changes shows practical resilience. Breaking challenges into manageable steps is critical.
- Optimism and Hope: While not naive positivity, a belief in better days—evident in Clarke’s focus on helping others—fuels perseverance.
- Self-Efficacy: Confidence in one’s ability to influence outcomes, as seen in Clarke’s decision to write despite low sales, strengthens resilience.
Resilience in Context
- Psychological Perspective: Studies, like those from the American Psychological Association, show resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can develop. Clarke’s story aligns with this, as her resilience grew through experience, not innate traits.
- Neurobiological Angle: TBI and chronic conditions like Clarke’s can alter brain function, yet neuroplasticity allows adaptation. Her persistence suggests leveraging cognitive strengths despite deficits.
- Social Impact: By publishing, Clarke contributes to destigmatizing mental health and chronic illness, fostering collective resilience. Her limited sales highlight a gap in societal engagement with such narratives, yet her effort remains impactful.
Applying Clarke’s Resilience Lessons
- Build a Support Network: Like Clarke’s reliance on KT and Freddie, surround yourself with trusted people or even pets to weather crises.
- Reframe Challenges: View setbacks as opportunities for growth, as Clarke did by writing to help others.
- Take Small Steps: Resilience doesn’t require grand gestures—Clarke’s incremental progress, from surviving TBI to managing cancer, shows the power of persistence.
- Share Your Story: Expressing experiences, as Clarke did, can validate struggles and inspire others, reinforcing personal and communal resilience.
Conclusion
Michelle Clarke’s Fortune Favours the Brave embodies resilience through her navigation of profound health challenges, supported by love, purpose, and courage. Her story underscores that resilience is a dynamic process, accessible to all through adaptability, support, and meaning-making. For those facing similar trials, her journey offers a roadmap: lean on others, find purpose in pain, and keep moving forward, however small the steps. If you’d like, I can search for more resources on resilience or analyze related content for deeper insights.
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