Description
For the past six years, Whitney Dafoe has been confined to a bedroom in the back of his parents' home, unable to walk, eat or speak. His diagnosis? The mysterious disease myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) which affects 20 million people around the world who largely suffer in silence because the condition is little known and much misunderstood.
Waiting for Superman follows Whitney's father, groundbreaking geneticist Ron Davis, as he uncovers new possibilities for treatments and potentially a cure. At its heart, this book is about more than just cutting-edge research or a race to find an answer - it's about the lengths to which a parent will go to save their child's life.
About the Author
Tracie White is an award-winning journalist and a science writer for Stanford University. Her work has also appeared in Salon, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. She graduated from U.C Berkley and has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She lives in Aptos, California.
Reviews
A compelling story of the love of a father who as a scientist preserved through a maze of uncertainty to help his son. Anyone who has endured undiagnosed chronic illness or has been subjected to the blanket dismissal of the medical community will find refuge in this book. -- Dr Rana Awdish, author of IN SHOCK
Both a gripping read and a heart-wrenching story, but far more, it's inspiring, showing how we, and those we love, can band together to withstand challenges, even those beyond our worst nightmares. -- Julie Rehmeyer, author of THROUGH THE SHADOWLANDS
A medical mystery with a heart. It's a poignant memoir of a scientist whose determination, ingenuity and love for his son drives him to the limits of science and medicine to unravel an enigmatic illness that has eluded doctors for decades. -- Steffanie Strathdee, author of THE PERFECT PREDATOR
The author's keen commitment to capturing Dafoe's illness and Davis's work makes for a story of heartbreak balanced with unexpected beauty. White succeeds in casting chronic fatigue syndrome in a new light in this inspirational account. * Publishers Weekly *
A complex, well-related story of medical detective work. * Kirkus Reviews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781911630623
Author Tracie White
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Allen & Unwin
Publisher Atlantic Books
Weight(grams) 210g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm