Editor’s Note
4 | June• 2019
LOUISE WATERSON LOUIS Editor-in-ChiefREADER’S DIGEST takes great care in portraying the personal stories
of people who have faced major health obstacles and overcome those
challenges. This month’s Bonus Read, ‘Patient 71’ (page 112) by Julie
Randall, is particularly special for the team. Julie works on the same
floor as us. We have met her and we admire her tenacity. ‘Patient 71’ is
Julie’s story of how the joy (and trepidation) of turning 50 quickly faded
after she was diagnosed with advanced melanoma. What Julie makes
very clear, is that a cancer diagnosis is not the end, rather it is the start.
While her blunt disregard of (some) of her doctors’ bleak prognoses will
amaze many readers, her drive to return to good health is nothing short
of inspirational.
Another story I urge you to read looks at the those bizarre yet hilariouspersonality traits we so often put down to our birth
order. In ‘12 Traits Your Birth Order Reveals About
You’ (page 86), Tina Donvito looks at the results
of leading birth order studies (yes, such things
do exist) to learn whether there’s any truth in
any of it. Whether you’re the youngest (like
me!), middle, eldest or only child, this article
is certain to raise a few eyebrows, laughs and
high-fives.
Happy reading,Overcoming Obstacles