Rusty's Story

"While many advancements have been made in understanding and treating epilepsy, the disease is still surrounded by an aura of dread. Rusty was a teenager when she was stricken with epilepsy. Misdiagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, for years she suffered more from inappropriate medical treatment than from her condition. Despite repeated incarcerations in a frightful state mental institution and the toxic effects of drugs, she never lost her sense of humanity or her strong desire to help others." --Carol R. Glatt, Helene Fuld Medical Center Lib., Trenton, N.J.

"The true story of one young woman's nightmare battle with epilepsy, told by the registered nurse with whom she lived. Gino first meets Barbara Russell (Rusty) when Rusty is 19 and they are both working at a nursing home. Four years earlier, Rusty was diagnosed as having severe epilepsy. Even with medication, the blackouts and seizures continued. After one violent seizure, she attempted suicide and was placed in a mental hospital, with brutal guards, violent patients, and lack of adequate care. Only Rusty's strength and belief in herself helped her survive. When her attacks resumed, she left Gino's house, but Gino continued to try to find the right physician and treatment. Rusty's story covers approximately 15 years, but the feeling is one of an immediate event. Gino's involvement, intensity, and anger at the medical establishment moves readers into an empathy for Rusty and horror at the ignorance of some physicians and the world at large." --Diana Hirsch, PGCMLS, Md.

"If this book were fiction, you'd never believe it. Rusty's Story is the horrific, but true, story of one young woman's nightmare journey through the health system in an attempt to find help for her epilepsy. Told by Carol Gino (the Nurse's Story), fellow Nurse, friend and room mate, Rusty's Story is almost unbelievable. From being expelled from school for seizures, being misdiagnosed, admitted to a psychiatric hospital as a teen and literally 'forgotten' there, Rusty's Story is one of determination, mental strength and faith in self. Given up as violent, untreatable and unsalvageable, Rusty and Carol never give up, on Rusty, or each other. Gino gives us a glimpse of a world most of us, thankfully, will never know, a world of uncontrolled epilepsy, and of the state psychiatric hospitals of the 70's. A book I couldn't put down. Highly recommended."

"The patient asks. "How will I know if I'm crazy." And the doctor answers, "If you can ask that question you are probably OK." But what if you ask and there is no one listening? Or what if your body is doing things that scare people and you have no control over it? That is exactly what happens in this true story, "Rusty's Story". There isn't any fairy tale ending. This is real life. All there is is hope. I like that."

"This is a must read for all people who have either children or relatives with problems of this nature. It is vitally important to be informed as that is the basis of being able to help and understand the sheer frustration of working and living with someone who has problems. The Book is very well written so as to be easily understood, is full of insights into the issues and how to best assist in giving the best possible help when and where it is necessary. A great resource for those of us who have direct contact on a day to day basis with our loved ones that are suffering, mostly in silence or frustration."