The second memoir from best selling author H. Penny Mishkin
"I couldn't put this book down. Penny's heartfelt vulnerability and gift as a storyteller shine through every page. She does an incredible job of providing insight into the world of psychoanalysis in a relatable and honest way. Her story is truly inspirational and educational for anyone."
“I was curious, as many are, as to what psychoanalysis is like. Incredibly moving, insightful, and for anyone considering therapy, this is a must read.”
Most books about psychotherapy are written from the clinician’s perspective. There is very little written directly from the patient’s point of view. This book is intended to provide my perspective as a patient in psychoanalytic therapy and to illustrate how it transformed my life. This book will bring you into the psychoanalyst’s office where you can eavesdrop and observe what a successful psychoanalysis is like.
Penny Mishkin first sought psychoanalysis when she was 24. She was born with a severe visual impairment which resulted in a disability which presented many challenges. By nature, Penny was introspective and analytical and so she knew psychoanalysis was the right therapy to help her. Fittingly, her analysis began on Columbus Day. This was a perfect metaphor for her setting sail on a journey to a new world. This is the story of her transformation as a result of psychoanalysis.
More than a memoir…
How I see it: A personal and historical view of disability by H. Penny Mishkin
When Penny Mishkin was eight years old, she became separated from her classmates returning from a field trip to Central Park. "Scared and alone, I searched for my group, but couldn't see well enough to find them." A kind stranger saw Penny crying and returned her to her classmates. Penny's life improved dramatically when she was fitted for contact lenses. Her new 20/40 vision allowed her to see the blackboard and take part in gym class, although she was still functionally blind without correction.
The trauma and isolation of those early years remained with Penny. Having been taught asking for help was a weakness, Penny learned, personally and professionally, that it's actually a strength. She became an occupational therapist, choosing to work with children whose disabilities were as invisible as hers, advocating daily for their rights. In her more than 40-year career, she has witnessed attitudes toward the disabled change and their quality of life improve as exemplified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Now in her 70s, Penny is blind. She can no longer see her phone or take her daily runs through the park. Yet this book is about joy, yes, the joy, that she finds in her daily life, learning new skills, making new friends, and sharing this history of disability in the United States. More than a memoir, Penny provides suggestions for the parents and siblings of children with disabilities to enhance the experience for the entire family. "Disability might set your life on a different course, but it can be just as meaningful, purposeful, and positive as individuals without disabilities."
Disability, Psychotherapy, and Resilience with H. Penny Mishkin, MS, OTR
Catch Penny in conversation with psychologist and podcast host, Harvey Shwartz, MD, as they discuss How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability on Schwartz’s podcast The Mind, Body, & Soul in Healing.
Penny was the 2022 Commencement speaker for columbia’s occupational therapy program
“I don’t think I ever heard or read better explanations and examples of independence and resiliency. Your writing brought to life the very essence of Occupational Therapy. For this alone, it should be required reading for all OT students...That the information is woven into a beautifully written and heartfelt memoir makes the technical material that much more meaningful.”
— Diane Saatchi, Retired professor of Occupational Therapy, Columbia University
“Penny Mishkin has written an extraordinary account of her personal and professional experience with disability that educates as much as it evokes emotion. Through her poignant descriptions of experiencing blindness at different developmental stages—as a young child and again as an older adult—she illustrates the vast array of positive and negative effects a disability can have on individuals and their families. Her clinical expertise and personal spirit make this book a kind of how-to for individuals and parents facing disability as they navigate the emotional, logistical, and cultural landscape their disability can present. Page-turning and rich. A must-read for parents, clinicians, and individuals with disabilities.”
—Shannon G. Caspersen, MD, MPhil
About H. Penny Mishkin
Penny, a resilient woman, who has had a low vision disability since she was two, built a life on what she did have, not what she had lost. Her positive attitude is reflected in her writing – a pediatric occupational therapist for over 40 years, who worked with her clients and their parents to teach them to always look at the glass half full, recognizing that focusing on what we no longer have is futile. She spends her days listening to podcasts and audio books, going to Broadway shows and movies. She is very grateful for all she has accomplished in her life and for all of those who are a part of it. To find meaning and purpose in her new life, she decided to write about her experience with disability, blindness, and psychoanalysis.
