My Inspiration

Printed in 1974 - Indian edition by Euresia publishing house(P) ltd. Re printed by Rajendra Ravindra Printers (P) ltd, Ram Nagar, New Delhi India.
'The Victim Is Always the Same' by I.S. Cooper is a compelling non-fiction drama that delves into the groundbreaking and controversial world of radical brain surgery in the early 1970s. The narrative centers on two young girls afflicted with dystonia musculorum deformans, a debilitating and disfiguring neurological disorder causing involuntary, twisting movements and contortions of the body.


Faced with a grim prognosis and a drastically diminishing quality of life for their daughters, the parents turn to Dr. Irving S. Cooper, a pioneering neurosurgeon known for his dedication and experimental surgical techniques. The book meticulously chronicles the agonizing journey of these families as they grapple with the immense hope and terrifying risks associated with Dr. Cooper's proposed radical brain operation. This surgery aimed to alleviate the severe symptoms by targeting specific areas of the brain believed to be responsible for the uncontrollable movements.
Cooper vividly portrays the emotional turmoil of the parents, the resilience of the young patients, and the intricate ethical and medical challenges inherent in such innovative procedures. He provides a detailed, yet accessible, account of the surgical process, highlighting the delicate precision required and the profound implications of altering the human brain. The narrative doesn't shy away from the uncertainties and potential complications, offering a balanced perspective on the experimental nature of the treatment.

Beyond the immediate medical crisis, the book explores broader themes of hope, desperation, the evolving frontiers of medical science, and the profound bond between families facing extraordinary adversity. It raises poignant questions about the limits of medical intervention, the definition of quality of life, and the courage required to embrace the unknown in the face of unbearable suffering. Through the intimate stories of these two young girls and their families, 'The Victim Is Always the Same' becomes a powerful testament to the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of healing, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
I read this book when I was 14. My mind must have been prepared, since ever I read this book , it unleashed an intense urge to pursue this world of surgical science. I have never regretted choosing the subject. Every occasion I have of viewing the brain and it's recovery, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of the organ and human effort to understand it. The last chapter deals with the authors psychological and philosophical approach to a volume of success and failures of his surgical ego and a sense of regret about the ultimate outcome. Distinctly, he keeps the failed case discussion away from a discourse which is meant for the population at large. The truth though is that such neurosurgical outcome and progress have come at a cost. And at that cost , philosophical perception tends to be generous and at the same time hopeful of a better future. We ask lesser questions about the extent of success and compare our efforts with a more liberal yardstick. 
Over the years , I have often felt like refusing treatment to seriously affected patients who are unable to have a reasonable quality of life. But so often enough, I am challanged by the contradictions presented by the relations of the same suffering person. They have insisted survival over the quality of life , merely stating, the decision of denial of life is in the hands of God and we should only make our efforts. At discharge , most of them whom we have struggled to survive are hardly much better and are handed over to the relatives to take further care. Some do comeback in a better condition trying to convey to us - we should keep trying and even harder. But the question raised in this final chapter is certainly pertinent- how far and how much. 

Everytime one of us leave this post, a younger generation revives the effort with greater zest and energy to inch forward with some solutions. I don't know who should read this book. I treasure it more than any other. It is very selectively shareable and will have to wait for another kid whose mind is prepared to take on such grim challanges.

Pratyush Chaudhuri 

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