Naples Women’s Wellness Summit – Keynote Dr. Jill Taylor

By Sandra Buxton

by Sandra Lee Buxton

April 2, 2016 is the date for the “not to be missed” presentation by Dr. Jill Taylor at the 3rd Annual Naples Women’s Wellness Summit. The topic at hand will be relevant to all of us, our brain. At the age of 37, this Harvard trained neuroscientist experienced a massive stoke on the left side of her brain which nearly took her life.

In her book “My Stroke of Insight” she shares her own journey of deterioration back to wellness. She lost her ability to walk, talk, read, or recall her life within a few short hours. As a brain researcher she had the unique perspective of scientifically understanding what had happened. It also challenged her to learn just how the brain could repair itself and under what circumstances.

Recovery occurred in stages and it took years, she credits her mother’s intuition with her restoration, and not the standard medical model. Dr. Taylor’s book was written related to the massive amounts of questions she received on how and why she recovered. She felt others needed answers and perhaps a sense of hope. Caregivers were desperate to understand the trauma of a stroke and what they should or should not do to help their loved one. Dr. Taylor states that if you treat a stroke victim as though they will recover, they recover to a greater degree than if you treat them as though they won’t.

Dr. Jill Taylor

One thing that she learned from her own event was to reprioritize personal choices. Eliminate unnecessary stress even if it means changing careers or career goals. Take responsibility for personal health by selecting a variety of exercises to keep the body strong.

Dr. Taylor states that personally she limits caffeine and concentrated sugars, also following a balanced diet of healthy choices.

As interesting as her story is Dr. Taylor emphasis that her presentation will not be about her brain but of ours. She wants us to understand the steps that we can take to maximize our potential and maintain our functionality. If there is one “take away” from her presentation it would be that we are in a constant state of change and we can control most of what happens to us.

The Women’s Wellness Summit will be held April 2, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at St John’s Catholic Church. Tickets are $50 and registration can be completed by using https://SLWWS2016.eventbrite.com or calling 239.262.6577.

Use of the website allows guests to select their choice of breakout sessions.