Summary: In his New York Times Bestseller, THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF, Dr. Norman Doidge profiles the story of Cheryl Schiltz. In her late thirties Cheryl entered the hospital for a routine surgery. When she came out, her vestibular system had been destroyed. Without her brain’s capacity for balance Cheryl’s life became unlivable. She could not sit, stand or walk without falling over. Enter Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita whose groundbreaking work with neuroscience gave Cheryl her balance back -- and her life. On this episode I interviewed Cheryl Schiltz about how her life changed direction after the initial surgery, plus how it changed again during her work with Dr. Bach-y-Rita and his theory about the plasticity of our senses. Most importantly, Cheryl explained how her brain was rewired through simple science, the results she’s experienced, plus the benefits of neuroplasticity, your brain’s willingness to change all the time. We also covered: how your perception influences your brain the interaction between your brain and your identity how to access optimism how to answer the question, "Why did this happen to me?" the importance of learning to stand still and be silent (and how to do it) About my guest: Cheryl Schiltz has been majoring in the experience of disability since 1997 when an adverse reaction to an antibiotic destroyed her vestibular system. Cheryl lost her sense of balance and any concept of knowing where she was in space, forcing her literally to re-learn how to walk and introducing her to disability. Her experience was further compounded in 2010 when it was discovered that Cheryl had a brain aneurysm that required surgery to, as she puts it, “clip the bubble”. Cheryl took part in ground breaking sensory substitution research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pioneered by world-renowned and esteemed doctor and scientist, Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita. She has been featured in several publications and television reports such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Discover Magazine, New Scientist Magazine, National Geographic, PBS, On Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Public Television. Her story has been featured in two books, “Balance – In Search of the Lost Sense” by Scott McCredie and the best-selling book, “The Brain that Changes Itself” by Dr. Norman Doidge. She was also featured in a Canadian Broadcast Company documentary of Dr. Doidge’s book. Cheryl has a BS in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her experience includes working and volunteering in vocational rehabilitation, youth transition, independent living, and disability advocacy and support. She has embarked on a mission to share her insights by speaking from inside the experience of disability. You can find her by visiting her blog, website or Facebook page, “Silencing the Noise of Disability – Turning down the noise and turning up your life” Cheryl lives in Madison, WI where she enjoys her family, photography, writing, public speaking, and working to make a difference in the lives of people with and without disabilities.
