Lifetime of Impact! founder Shari Bookstaff, is a marine biology professor and brain surgery survivor who teaches medical professionals teaching how to connect to their patients in an instant. Shari fulfilled her lifelong childhood dreams and was a tenured marine biology professor near San Francisco. Sporadic dizzy spells and nausea led to a diagnosed benign brain tumor; an “easy, routine surgery.” Then, the unthinkable happened. A 9-day hospital stay turned into 9 months of grueling rehabilitation. A stroke following the surgery took away Shari’s ability to breathe, eat, talk, hear and move. After several weeks in the hospital during which Shari was fed through a tube and breathed through machines, she was transferred to a rehabilitation center an hour away from her home. The only thing giving Shari the will to live was the love and devotion of her kids, then 12 and 8 years old. She has worked hard every day since to regain her dignity, her livelihood, and her spirit. Shari is living proof that determination, hard work, and positivity are the cornerstones to overcoming tragedy. Shari chronicles her medical journey in her book, “When Life Throws You Lemons…Make Cranberry Juice!”
Lifetime of Impact! founder Shari Bookstaff, is a marine biology professor and brain surgery survivor who teaches medical professionals teaching how to connect to their patients in an instant. Shari fulfilled her lifelong childhood dreams and was a tenured marine biology professor near San Francisco. Sporadic dizzy spells and nausea led to a diagnosed benign brain tumor; an “easy, routine surgery.” Then, the unthinkable happened. A 9-day hospital stay turned into 9 months of grueling rehabilitation. A stroke following the surgery took away Shari’s ability to breathe, eat, talk, hear and move. After several weeks in the hospital during which Shari was fed through a tube and breathed through machines, she was transferred to a rehabilitation center an hour away from her home. The only thing giving Shari the will to live was the love and devotion of her kids, then 12 and 8 years old. She has worked hard every day since to regain her dignity, her livelihood, and her spirit. Shari is living proof that determination, hard work, and positivity are the cornerstones to overcoming tragedy. Shari chronicles her medical journey in her book, “When Life Throws You Lemons…Make Cranberry Juice!”
Shari has experienced great medical care, and some not-so-great medical care. Because of the diverse nature of her medical condition, she has been forced to deal with a myriad of medical professionals, ranging from eye doctors to ear doctors to throat doctors to plastic surgeons to physical and occupational therapists. Throughout the course of her journey, she has experienced kind and sympathetic medical care. She has also suffered through impersonal, rude and insensitive medical care. Shari is determined to help as many health professionals as possible instantly connect with their patients to better exhibit compassionate and empathetic treatment. She has inspired hundreds of professionals and students to be the best they can be and hopes to inspire thousands more.
