Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
I Am the Storm summary
Janice Dean
Inspiring Stories of People Who Fight Against Overwhelming Odds
19 mins
Brief summary
I Am the Storm by Janice Dean, narrates the heartbreaking story of how she lost both her in-laws due to COVID-19 carelessness, and how she is fighting for a change in the system and the fight for the truth to protect others.
Table of Contents
I Am the Storm
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
A Mother against the Opioid Crisis.
What does it take to face up to one of the biggest monsters ravaging the heart of America? Shelly Elkington had to learn the answer when she found herself up against the devastating opioid crisis.
In 2015, Shelly’s daughter Casey died by suicide at the age of 26 after a long struggle with opioid addiction. Casey had been diagnosed with a terrible inflammatory bowel disease that left her in incredible pain, making her endure multiple surgeries.
It was after one of these surgeries that a doctor prescribed her a powerful pain medication: Oxycodone. Her mother, Shelly was initially happy – after all, what parent wants to see their daughter in pain? But for daughter Casey, this was the beginning of the end.
By the time Casey was discharged from hospital, she was completely dependent on opioids. The doctor prescribed them, so Shelly told herself that they couldn’t be bad, right? But eventually Casey found out that heroin was cheaper and easier to get.
In the final months of her life, Casey was rarely seen by her parents – instead hanging out with heroin dealers and ex-prisoners. One of the last times that Shelly talked to her daughter, Casey told her: “It’s not my fault, Momma.”
It was a few months after Casey's death that Shelly started her fight. She talked about her experience with newspapers and other parents who had gone through similar things. Learning that she wasn’t alone gave her the strength to keep fighting.
At the time, government and society were ill-equipped to deal with the opioid crisis. Laws and stigmas made it hard for emergency teams to help, or addicts to talk about their problems. It was the only disease that was addressed as a political issue, rather than a medical one.
Shelly found strong allies in lawmakers who had also lost loved ones to opioids – politicians from both sides of the political spectrum. Together they fought for small changes and small steps forward.
Now there's legislation that allows emergency responders to carry Narcan – a drug that can save someone from an overdose. There was also a settlement hearing in 2022 where people who had lost loved ones to opioids were allowed to directly address individuals whose businesses profit from this dangerous drug.
One particularly big victory for Shelley came in 2018, when she was a guest at the State of the Union address to acknowledge the attention she had brought to the opioid crisis.
But a lot is left to do. This Goliath hasn't yet fallen. Shelley sometimes has to ask herself: “When do you give up?”
It’s hard, but Shelley remains optimistic. She is grateful for the years she had with her daughter, and is strengthened by the thought that she might help others in ways that she couldn’t help Casey.
Want to see all full key ideas from I Am the Storm?
Key ideas in I Am the Storm
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is I Am the Storm about?
I Am the Storm (2023) is an inspiring dive into what it takes to stand as a David against a Goliath. From a single gymnast who took on a whole abusive system, to a grieving mother who chose to tackle the US opioid epidemic head on, it shows that anyone can make a stand for what they believe in, no matter how big their opponent may seem.
I Am the Storm Review
I Am the Storm (2021) is an empowering memoir that chronicles Janice Dean's journey of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through Dean's personal experiences, it offers a powerful lesson in overcoming challenges and finding inner strength during difficult times.
- Filled with raw honesty and vulnerability, the book provides a genuine perspective on life's ups and downs, resonating with readers on a deep emotional level.
- Its inspiring message of hope and resilience serves as a reminder that we have the power to rise above any storm and come out stronger on the other side.
Who should read I Am the Storm?
- Anyone looking for inspiration to face the challenges in their life
- People sick of big organizations acting with impunity
- Believers in the strength of human will
Categories with I Am the Storm
Book summaries like I Am the Storm
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
I Am the Storm FAQs
What is the main message of I Am the Storm?
Take control of your destiny and overcome any obstacles that come your way.
How long does it take to read I Am the Storm?
It takes a few hours to read I Am the Storm, but you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is I Am the Storm a good book? Is it worth reading?
I Am the Storm is worth reading for its empowering message and inspiring story.
Who is the author of I Am the Storm?
The author of I Am the Storm is Janice Dean.
What to read after I Am the Storm?
If you're wondering what to read next after I Am the Storm, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Languishing by Corey Keyes
- Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
- Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
- From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
- It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- The ADHD Advantage by Dale Archer
- The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo