Mother, Heal My Self: An Intergenerational Healing Journey Between Two Worlds

"This book provides a powerful message, so much so, in fact, that I bought a second copy just so I could share it with friends. The line dividing western medical practices and those based in nature (Eastern, Native American, etc), is becoming more and more blurred. This book may help open the reader's mind to techniques beyond those that our practitioners provide.
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~ Written on 2006-08-08

"This is an extraordinary book about a conventional nurse executive who is led by her work, her family and her destiny to explore Native American healing to heal her daughter and her family history of traumas around birth in five generations.

In the course of her work in the Sioux Valley Hospital in South Dakota, she met and befriended Wanigi Waci (Spirit Dancer), a Native American healer of the Lakota Sioux who was ministering to patients served by her hospital. Wanigi Waci offered classes to the hospital staff in cultural sensitivity, to help the conventional medical personnel appreciate the traditional ways of healing of his people.

Koerner's daughter, Kristi, nearly died in birthing her first child, requiring an emergency caesarian section. Her son nearly died of an infection due to the prolonged labor. He had repeated hospitalizations for respiratory infections during his first six months. Kristi's second pregnancy was marked by diabetes, hypertension, toxemia and preeclampsia. In both childbirths, Wanigi Waci was present, unbidden, and enormously helpful with his Native American healing treatments.

Koerner went on to study and participate in the healing ceremonies of the Sioux. She shares from her many lessons of the heart and spirit, in a book that is hard to put down.

Koerner is clearly gifted as a nurse and as a teacher of the essence of nursing. She shares many insights around conventional and Native American healing.

Koerner's integrity as a healer who walks her talk is evident in the stories she shares about her healing journeys. What she writes of others is also true of herself.

Hopefully, Koerner's pioneering work with Wanigi Waci will open more nurses and hospitals to healing collaborations and spiritual lessons.
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~ Written on 2005-01-01

"This outstanding book should push back the horizon for every nurse dealing with persons of differing faiths, healing modalities and cultures. It may help to eliminate bias and lack of information regarding self healing. It should be useful to both the healing professions as well as the general public. I caution the reader against drawing any personal conclusions about the author's content until the entire book has been read for the content is a complicated mix of biography and theory."
~ Written on 2003-07-22

"This is a great book and a powerful message. It is a must read for everyone associated with health care."
~ Written on 2003-07-21

"This book is a wonderful exploration of intergenerational caring and the power of the mother daughter relationship. Willing to do anything to save the life of her daughter, the author, who is herself a well known registered nurse, explores the depths of native american medicine and its healing powers. This is a wonderful book, I have given it as a gift to all the important women in my life."
~ Written on 2003-07-20