About the Author Albert Peters:
Albert Peters, the author of the book “It's all in the Nerves”, is an upcoming author publishing his first-ever book. The author is making his debut with something quite sacred to him – the history of his family. As much as knowing the life of his family is vital, the author also deserves to be recognized for his own experiences. Peters defines his strength through his suffering because he has chosen to be optimistic regarding all that life has challenged him with along the way. Peters was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, which is a condition that only affects polio survivors. Peters being a polio survivor, had already fought once to sustain normalcy in his everyday life; however, Post-Polio Syndrome affected him and is continuing to do as you are reading this.
Polio survivors have the possibility of being diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) long after suffering an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Even though the causes of this condition are yet to be determined, but the overall process for PPS begins with the degeneration of nerve terminals into motor units inside the spinal cord. The neurons present within the brainstem and the anterior areas of the spinal cord are attacked by the Poliovirus leading to the obliteration of several neurons. Fortunately, some neurons survive this attack and continue rigorously to generate nerve-end terminals. The purpose of these newly-generated nerve-end terminals is to attach themselves to the bereaved muscle fibers leading to a recovery in muscular movement. The process of rejuvenating muscle movement is a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Therefore, there comes a time when the process of rejuvenation gradually diminishes, rendering patients incapable of performing mundane yet critical life activities. Weakened muscle function leads to greater dependency on other humans or technological aids, but with time the patient experiences a growing risk of becoming completely inept at performing tasks so far as personal hygiene tasks too. Post-Polio Syndrome has been found to affect respiratory muscles to a greater extent as compared to other muscles. Respiratory muscles are fundamental for a person to survive. However, PPS adversely impacts these muscles causing numerous secondary (respiratory) diseases. The challenges posed by respiratory muscle weakness can range from difficulty in breathing to severe asthma or, in some cases, terminal diseases as-well. Alongside deteriorating muscular function for respiration, Post –Polio Syndrome also affects swallowing muscles. Consumption of food is necessary for survival, but this condition makes it a challenge to provide nutrients to one’s body. The lack of nutrients accelerates the process of weakening of muscles, ultimately causing weight loss, feeble eye-sight, and/or restricted mobility. Therefore, even if the syndrome itself is not life-threatening, it creates unprecedented and grim situations for the patients. Peters remains steadfast and prepared for any trying circumstances the future hold for him, and through this book, he is showing life how it should be lived. He is presenting his story to become immortal for the generations that will follow him. Peters’ wish to live through his words is finally coming true, and those words will be worth reading. Engulfed in optimism and channeling his wise yet lively personality is the author’s way of showcasing the pride for how Peters has truly lived his life. Peters is an author who is creating a legacy for all those who descent him.
About the Book:
This writing venture, as highlighted earlier, is an ode to Peters’ history and his ancestors beginning from his parents. Peters’ parents have lived a life saturated with troubling times. They have witnessed two life-altering events, which have also been crucial markers for human history. They have lived through a) The Great Depression and b) entered the Second World War with a newborn baby – Peters. The Great Depression can be described as a force that wreaked havoc in the lives of people. It redefined the notion of normalcy for all those alive in such a trying period. Resources that were previously both easily available and accessible for the most intersection of classes became a foreign concept considering food and water became scarce or available to only the upper-classes. The financial instability caused by both devaluation of the currency and the lack of employment opportunities drastically changed the living conditions of various families wherein women were given mandatory lessons by home economists about living sustainably on stretched budgets. The world’s worst economic crisis has been a huge part of Peters’ ancestor’s lives, and the author believes that their suffering should not remain undocumented. For Peters, discussing the living conditions followed by the anxiety of the financial horror known as The Great Depression will provide future generations a nuanced understanding of the resilience of their ancestors. It will inspire his descendants to remain persistent and courageous throughout their life, and treat troubling times as learning opportunities.
The second life-altering event was the Second World War, which yet again dismantled the notion of living a safe and secure life. Even though Peters was an infant during the war, but his family has felt the fear of waking up every morning dreadfully awaiting death. A war imparts immense trauma on people as they constantly live in the looming fear of death. With little to no safety for something as simplistic as walking on the streets makes us realize the terror of war. The fear of losing your own life coupled with losing your loved ones is a deeply unsettling and terrifying feeling, which Peters will pen down in his book.
From describing his childhood to the life history of his family to tying it all in with his current life, the author will guide his readers through a journey of love, care, happiness, terror, uncertainty, fear, trauma, familial bonds, and loss. Peters aims to honor the life of his parents and to present a tribute to himself for living through the testing times. His aim broadens from creating this legacy into developing this book as the source of inspiration for those who will follow him. Peters, due to his frenzied life, never got the chance to experience what extended family feels like. Thus, his book is a gift to his descendants so that they don’t feel lost when someone asks them the history of their ancestors.
