It is not a story of sadness, but a courageous reminder that even when circumstances change dramatically, man can find a new way to express, create and ultimately retell the story of his life, to remind us that life does not stop when circumstances change, it just asks for a new way to be told.

What led you to turn your personal journey into a book when your life took an unexpected turn? What was it that you refused to hand over to her?

The truth is that I didn’t sit down one day and say “I’m going to write a book of my life story.” I’ve always been open and communicative, so when this surreal turn in my life started, I just started writing thoughts and developments on a blog. Slowly the years went by and a lot of material accumulated, so I initially thought I would publish it and, when I got well, write a book about all the things I was going through to help other people. Eventually the right circumstances came along early and the book was born, with excerpts from that blog as well. My desire to create and connect with people never gives up.

The writing process for you had technical difficulties, as each word was born through the movement of your eyes. How did you experience this slow, demanding but deeply personal relationship with language?

It’s not as difficult as it sounds at first. For me, this gadget that reads the gaze and operates the computer, types and only makes coffee, has been a huge redemption. By the time I got it, and when my condition got to the point where I couldn’t even write on my phone, I was beginning to isolate myself and pine away. So I experienced it with great joy and as a small personal victory.

In your pages coexist childlike carefree spirit, dreams, travel and big twists and turns. How difficult was it to return to those memories?

Some parts were indeed difficult, but I have the superpower to remember mostly the good, the funny, and not dwell on the bad.

What does the title “Why not me?” mean to you, is it a challenge, an acceptance or a revolution?

I’d say it’s a little bit of all three. I accept the challenge because I’m human and these things happen to people. But at the same time I see that every negative challenge can have a positive outcome. So many people achieve miracles, why not me, why not you, why not all of us.

If this book could stand up in your shoes, what would it want to shout to the world?

If you had asked me two years ago when it came out, I would have told you something else, as I feel a completely different version of myself now. No longer needing or wanting to shout. Only to be calmly reminded that within each person there is already the power to rewrite their story. Even when everything changes, each of us can find a new way to carry on, to create and to dream.

WHO IS WHO

“I am Georgia, I was born in Thessaloniki on June 8, 1972 and I have been living in Athens since the 80’s.I am passionate about healthy, balanced, fulfilling life and being able to help others on their path to optimal health, joy and well-being.

I am on a difficult therapeutic journey that began many years ago with the diagnosis of Chronic Lyme disease, a controversial disease that mimics or – according to many – causes the incurable Motor Neurone Disease (MND/ALS). In the last few years I have reached the point of not being able to help myself, not walking, not speaking clearly, I now have the clinical picture of ALS and 16+ years since the first symptom, the diagnosis is now a form of ALS (ALS variant).”

But I am engaged in self-education via the Internet, while making drastic changes to my lifestyle and diet. I try to heal with the help of various health professionals, natural foods, vitamins and supplements, self-awareness and mental strength, meditation, visualization, calmness, laughter, music, doing things I love. I have tried countless treatments, I have travelled for them in Italy, America, India, Germany and China.

I continue with unwavering Faith in my healing, hoping that those who experience unpleasant challenges of life, whether due to illness or any other form, will find strength, optimism and hope in my person. Knowing our unlimited potential as human beings is vital, as is understanding the importance of Nourishing our body, mind and spirit.

See the original article on eleftherotypos.gr

Today Georgia Papazisi talks to okmag about her illness, explains where she draws her strength and energy from and presents her book that yes, she wrote it with her own eyes!

Let’s start with your book that is published by Sirtari and is entitled “Why not me?” True Story of Courage. How did the idea to write this book start and how difficult was it?

Almost from the beginning of my health adventure, I had a need to share what was going on and that’s why I had a blog that I wrote. At some point I started thinking that if I wrote a book with material from the blog, and from my experience with the disease in general, it might help other people with similar health issues. But I dreamed of it for when I would get well and so the years went by, instead of getting well I got worse and it was practically impossible to write. Until I got the gadget that changed my life and along with other activities, I started writing a book!

A book you managed to write with your eyes alone… Tell us about it.

This is eye gaze technology. A small rod-like machine is attached to the computer and placed at the bottom of the screen, so that it can “read” the eye and operate the computer, move the cursor, type on the keyboard that appears on the screen and essentially give access to anyone who does not have functional hands. It’s really amazing!

In your book you describe in your own unique way your life and the great adventure of your health. What is Lyme disease and what are the effects it has had on your health.

This disease is controversial and complex. There’s a lot of information on the internet, I’ll just say that if it’s not addressed in time, can become a chronic infection and cause other diseases, depending on where the bacterium strikes. I now have some form of motor neurone disease (ALS), which means motor disability and speech problems.

Looking back on this adventure, do you think medical mistakes were made?

What can I say, probably happened, but I can’t change anything in the past, so I choose not to look back. I prefer to live in the present, creating and focusing on the best possible future.

Your message despite the suffering and trials you have gone through is that hope is here. Send us your own optimistic message through Okmag.

Hope is always here, especially in the current era, when technology and medicine are running at an unimaginable pace. If hope becomes faith and certainty, success is guaranteed.

How much did the internet help you to communicate with the world during this time of your illness?

As you will see in the book, the help of the internet for me was and is invaluable. I honestly don’t know how or if I would have made it to this day without the love and support from people I know and don’t know online.

How do you spend your day? What makes you smile and have a good time?

I spend many hours on the computer learning Spanish, managing the social media of my dear friends’ nursery, communicating with people, doing research, reading books or writing. Of course I do physiotherapy, sit on the terrace in the sun and smile into the future while listening to music! I love doggies and there is no way I won’t be in a good mood when I see a video of Teddy (Aguyandagolden). I have learned to appreciate every day and when I “fall”, as is logical and human, to get up immediately, so as not to lose a minute of the gift called life!

See the original article in okmag!

1) Ms. GEORGIA PAPAZISISI, introduce us in a few words to the book your book, ”a true story of courage” as it is mentioned in the on the cover of your book.

It is an autobiography, especially from the period when my health adventure began until today. Combining psychology, self-awareness, self-improvement and a lot of humor at the same time, it is a story that everyone can relate to.

2) What is the reason why you decided to tell us about the most important events in your life? most important moments of your life, through the pages of a book. of a book?

The reason is, as I mention in the book, to help and empower other people who may be facing similar (or any other kind of) challenges in their lives.

3) What is the message you want the reader to receive? of.

I think that each reader receives the message that is needed for him or her at the moment of reading. The existence of our inner strength is definitely something I want everyone to remember.

4) How did you decide on the title of the book, was there someone else? that was rejected?

The title came about somewhat spontaneously in response to the question that often comes out as a complaint, “why do I…” and fill in the phrase with whatever you want. From the negative “why should I get sick, fail, get hurt, etc.” to “why should I succeed, win, live, etc.” we reverse the question and go to the empowering “Why not me? No other title existed.

5) Tell us about your collaboration with Sirtari Publications.

This wonderful collaboration is somewhat karmic I would say.

I have known Panos Antonopoulos for a long time and when I mentioned him to my book editor Rhea Zacharia as my first choice of publisher, she was surprised to tell me that she would also recommend Sirtari Publications! Quality, courtesy and attention to detail are the main characteristics of Sirtari Publications.

6) Tell us, do you read? What are you reading these days? Are there any favorite books in your library that you won’t lend to anyone and why?

There are favorite books in my library and I’m happy to lend them out because I want to share the good stuff. Now I read and listen to books, mostly psychology and spirituality, in ebooks or audio.

7) I would like you to tell us a few things about yourself, so we can get to know you better.

Oh, read the book to get to know me. Until then I can tell you that I love flowers and plants, I am learning Spanish because I dream of travelling to Latin America and I love dancing and dogs, which always make me smile!

8) How do you feel now that your first book is published? Tell us about your future plans, what’s new? are you working on?

I feel a huge joy because it’s something I’ve wanted to achieve for years. Now I am preparing my website where I will write regularly and I have started to write the second book, which still has a future.

In conclusion with the questions I would like to thank you for once again and I’d like you to tell us where and how we can we can find you and your book.

Thank you for the hospitality! The book is available in bookstores and online bookstores for ordering and of course in the e-shop of Sirtari Publications https://www.syrtari.com/giatioxiego

You can find me on social media, for example on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/geo_papz/?hl=el and on my website https://georgiapapazissi.com

See the original article at beautydaysbymary.blogspot.com

1) What prompted you to write this book?

From the beginning of my health adventure, I was recording everything in my blog and on social networks. It was a way of expressing myself, but I soon realized that my posts had a positive impact on others. My dream was to write a book in order to inspire those facing similar challenges. That thought was the driving force, that dream propelled me.

2) How do you experience the experience of reading your works after a period of time, when they have been printed in a book and it has been a while since they were created? Do you still agree and have the same enthusiasm?

“Why not me?” is my first and, for now, only work. When I reread it, I feel pride, emotion and sometimes surprise at the feelings and thoughts I had at the time. Excitement is there, as it is my truth, but I often wonder if I would write the same things today, even though not so long ago. I’m constantly changing and evolving, so it makes sense that this would happen.

3) Have you ever argued with your creative self?

Yes, there were moments when I wondered if I was ready to share something so personal or if the way I was writing it was the right way, the right way! Thankfully, I always found my way, and every word found its place. Of course, the invaluable help and encouragement from my experienced book editor, Ms. Rhea Zacharias, made the process easier and me more confident and creative.

4) Are there moments that spark you by setting you in creative motion?

There are many moments that trigger me creatively, like when I learn something new and get excited about the possibilities that open up in front of me. Also, when I feel happy and full of positive energy, ideas flow effortlessly and inspiration comes almost magically. It’s those moments when I feel that anything is possible and I can create something special.

5) And respectively, are there moments that you would never write anything about?

I don’t know for sure if there are moments I would never write about, but I’m sure I wouldn’t choose to write about something dark or sad, because I don’t want to give time and energy to such things. Also, I would never write anything insulting about an actual person, as I believe that writing should express respect and truth.

6) If you had to describe this work in one word, what would it be?

Perseverance.

7) If your book was/was a regular trip somewhere in the world, where would we go and how many days would it last?

What a fantastic question! If my book were a regular journey, we would of course go to India, a destination full of contrasts, colours and deep meanings. After all, that’s where I spent most of my other travels and discovered a lot about myself. It would be a journey of self-discovery and inspiration that would last as long as it took to find inner peace, total healing in body, mind and spirit.

8) What is your opinion about contemporary book production in our country in relation to literature? Do you have any favourite Greek authors?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a full picture of contemporary book production in our country, as due to my condition I cannot hold a book in my hands. The selection of Greek ebooks is quite limited, which does not facilitate access for people with disabilities. Despite the remarkable efforts being made, there is a clear need to invest more in electronic publishing to ensure equal access to literature for all. I hope this development will come soon, as it will bring our literature closer to more readers.

This is what Georgia Papazisis said, in a short interview of great book travelers, about -and on the occasion of- her book “Why not me?” A true story of courage, published by Sirtari.

This is a great book for several reasons, one of which is that it was written entirely by eye – the other reasons can be traced here below or discovered within its pages for yourself. This “written with the eyes”, however, which is also present in the author’s bio, can be misinterpreted, considered something of a metaphor or figure of speech, or passed off as embedded in a busy and fast-paced daily life… but if one stays longer, decides to investigate and, basically, read the story, one will see that Georgia Papazisi has a superpower: she writes with her eyes! Yes, indeed, where the rest of us need mice and keyboards, where we strain our tendons, waists and backs, she can write entire books… by looking!

It all started several years ago, when an unknown but terrifying disease struck Georgia, depriving her of people, autonomy, dignity, happiness… a long list but completely unnecessary. You all understand what a serious illness deprives you of and how much suffering it causes. Georgia searched for answers to the obvious in America, Germany, India, China, Miami… but only as she looked inside did she see. She saw that the thing that deprived her of things woke her up, taught her to live truly and not mechanically, nor hypocritically, nor on automatic, nor – emphasize this twice – for others and their desires. Georgia lost some of her functions but found her inner strength, an incredible strength perhaps encapsulated in the word “self-love,” as she says.

A story of many medications, tests, treatments, diets, supplements, exercises, pain, psychological shocks… and its (proper) treatment being triumphantly ignored – or hidden – and I read and read and read and read on, not being able to find a single reason to stop, to see something else, to do something else, my day’s work, my chores, when am I going to open the computer at the office? when will I check email; check the day’s publications; definitely have emails that need answering, have new book deliveries; when will I write my impressions of the monologue I saw at the theater; when will I write my holiday shopping list? when will I go to pick them up; make an appointment for a car service, I wonder if there will be an extension on the road tax; one writer sent a text with incorrect names, another “owes” an introduction, I have two collages to make, what time does the pharmacy close; turkey goes well with apricots and pomegranates; oh, get onions! I paid for the water; the phone is ringing, the material for the concert has arrived; I have to make an appointment with the surveyor, I have tomatoes; will it rain or should I do the laundry.. dozens – don’t say hundreds and be frightened – of little things, necessary but as small as a brass knuckle, that occupy my mind, my entire existence to the point of taking up the whole day, the whole time, all the energy… while other, more important, fundamental, essential things are passed over with spontaneous indifference and remain unresolved or unresolved, second. Why?

I keep reading and the more I read, the more ashamed I am that instead of enjoying each day I am thinking about the weather, the tomatoes, the deadline… ashamed that I forgot to enjoy anything. And when all the pages are finished I find the right purpose of this life, which is not whether the concert photos came in or if the traffic fees get extended, but to binge on it.

PS. first:
Very beautiful book, true and it works in a self-healing and self-improving way. Make a note somewhere to send questions to the author. Nah. Stupid. The woman’s not well, she’s gonna have your stuff on top? You’re gonna have to put her through that? Or was she expecting you? But even if she was waiting for you, how?

PS. second:
Georgia is the one who knows the meaning of life, who found and unlocked the power, who can do anything and you are the one who will be helped by knowing her. Talk to her.

Jenny Koukidou

See the original article at beautydaysbymary.blogspot.com

Until the age of 35, Giorgia Papazisi had what we call a normal life. She had health, beauty, a partner, friends, home, family, work, fun, holidays, everything. Within a short time, Lyme disease robbed her of speech and movement, bringing her life a huge upheaval.

What do you do when such overwhelming misfortune strikes you like a thunderbolt? I don’t know what you would do, but Georgia didn’t give up. She has done and continues to do everything she can for her healing and she never loses hope that one day she will talk and walk again. Others have done it, “why not me?” she writes. She is an example to follow, she has the metal of a person who saw the disease as a teacher. And now he delivers the same lessons to us.

Why not me? (Syrtari) is not just a testimony. It is “a true story of courage”, as the author writes in her subtitle. The book was created with the help of a technology that allows the user to write with their eyes. It is a transformational book that connects with the core of things, a book that tells you: “Wake up! We’re all doing the best we can in the moment. The power that we all have within us is enormous.”

Her tremendous sense of humour, her honesty, her narrative skill create a work that is read with great enthusiasm and inspiring. I believe it is only a matter of time before the book falls into the hands of a producer or director who will want to make it into a movie. Georgia’s example is written from materials that house great stories, full of sensitivity, knowledge, truth and beauty.

Georgia proves that miracles do happen. Even with a body that doesn’t help her, she can now write – always with her eyes – what she feels, what she sees and more than ever before. Georgia, thank you for this priceless gift you give us.

MANOLIS ANDRIOTAKIS