How My Brain Saved My Life Twice

A Memoir

By: Amy Stacey Curtis

Narrated by: Amy Stacey Curtis

An inspiring memoir of survival, How My Brain Saved My Life Twice chronicles triumph over suicide, brain injury, and disability. This audiobook is for listeners drawn to resilience, recovery, and the creative spirit.

Amy Stacey Curtis was a practicing installation artist widely recognized and awarded for an 18-year project presented throughout nine abandoned Maine mills. Soon after completing this ambitious opus, her brain was attacked. For 22 months, Amy would see horrific nonstop images of her suicide, this unrelenting psychosis soon accompanied by a debilitating head-to-toe loss of muscle control. Amy’s arms and legs flailed, her hands and wrists curled, her head and neck swayed, and her cheeks and mouth twisted, requiring the use of a wheelchair, severely impacting her speech, and cutting her off from her community. After two psychiatric wards, eight antipsychotic drugs, and 15 months of misdiagnosing doctors, it was finally determined that Amy’s brain was injured by past Lyme disease she never knew she had.

Amy’s brain knew just what to do to protect her, to survive the unthinkable, and to heal what was broken—twice. Alternating between past and present—one saga that begins when Amy is seven as her father threatens to kill her, her three younger brothers, and himself, the other when Amy is 46 as a virus becomes determined to kill her by her own hand—this dual-timeline against-all-odds memoir chronicles Amy’s battles and triumphs over suicide, relentless childhood trauma, and life-altering disability, with self-advocacy, perseverance, will, and a little humor.

Amy hopes to alter the perception of suicide as something under our control and to help others in the midst of their own fight. She likewise shares her fights and wins regarding brain injury, as the general population and medical community don't yet seem to understand the damage Lyme disease can do, whether treated or not.

©2026 Amy Stacey Curtis (P)2026 Amy Stacey Curtis

Incredible

I couldn’t put this down- I listened to it every chance I could. Amy’s story is incredible and mind blowing. It’s a poignant, at times heart wrenching account of her struggles with childhood trauma and physical and emotional debility from contracting Lyme Disease. Her voice is mesmerizing and her search for answers and wellness is a process of successes and failures. It teaches us about the resiliency of the human spirit. Thank you Amy for your painful and honest account of your journey to cure and find hope. It is educational in many ways- not the least of which is how chronic Lyme Disease can change your life.
Trigger warning- sexual and physical abuse, suicide

Poignant memoir

The writing of this memoir is well done. Full of emotion, heartache and victory. Inspiring story. Made me laugh and cry. I recommend this read.

Captivating from start to finish

I was in awe of the main character and the many obstacles and challenges she faced. Her strength, determination, and perseverance kept me engaged throughout the entire book. I found it difficult to put down, as I was eager to see how she would overcome each new challenge. This was a compelling and inspiring read that held my attention from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed hearing the author narrate the audiobook, which added a personal touch and made the story even more compelling.

Could not stop listening!

This book is not a light read, but it is an absorbing one. The subject matter is difficult, and I'm sure triggering for some, but the writing is so engaging its momentum pulls you along. It's read by the author, whose soft, pared down delivery lends authenticity while staying out of the way of the narrative. It's quite a story, full of resilience and food for thought. I hope others find their way to this book and author. Very highly recommended.

A story of hope perseverance

This is an incredible story told by an incredible person! I highly recommend to everyone!