Disability Biography

According to the National Eye Institute by 2020 it is estimated that 5.5 million people of all ages will be blind or have low vision. Low vision is impairment that cannot be corrected by standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. That is one out of 28 and that is shocking. The purpose of this book is to let listeners know that loss of eyesight is not a death sentence. Twelve people have shared their stories detailing how they met the enemy in their own lives and how they cope on a day-to-day basis.

Autism is often misunderstood by mainstream society. Colin takes us on a journey through the key moments in his life with undiagnosed Autism. The added struggles with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculus are all part of who he is. There are sad times, funny times, times when he felt disdain for himself, but an underlying drive to carve out a life of normality is always there. A graduate of Edinburgh University shows to people that those on the spectrum are not daft or simpletons, only that they process information differently.

In this moving memoir, Joy Clausen Soto vividly brings us into her world. We see her go from her dream job to fighting for her life, and how she is able to come back from it all. You can't avoid falling in love with her quirks, indomitable spirit, and wry sense of humor. Soto takes listeners on a compelling journey as she faces cancer and the challenges she encounters while re-entering "normal" life.

At 90 years old and blind, Lorraine decided there was never a better time to get started as a writer. Juggling career, marriage, motherhood, and staying a vibrant senior demands constant skill upgrading. Lorraine’s early childhood development expertise, for instance, was perfected during her 81 months of pregnancy. As a first generation of Russian immigrant parents, Lorraine’s daily walk with God is a testament to her belief and love-filled life. She says, “Hope is not a plan, but it is a promise that’s given when faith and belief become action.”

When Helen Keller was very young, she got a rare disease that made her deaf and blind. Suddenly, she couldn't see or hear at all, and it was hard for her to communicate with anyone. But when she was six years old, she met someone who changed her life forever: her teacher, Annie Sullivan. With Miss Sullivan's help, Helen learned how to speak sign language and read Braille. Armed with the ability to express herself, Helen grew up to be come a social activist, leading the fight for people with disabilities and so many other causes.

How a mechanic rose above poverty and chronic anxiety to build a national enterprise and found peace with himself and his past in the process. Prepare to embark on a journey of emotions. This must-listen memoir explores the resilience of the human spirit. I literally could not stop reading From Turmoil to Triumph.

What if you found out in mid-life that you were autistic? Kathleen was diagnosed in midlife with autism, and in her new book, U Don’t Seem Autistic, she bravely shares her personal story. This is a story of empowerment by the discovery of autistic identity, at last! By sharing the pitfalls she has experienced up to mid-life and their relationship to autism, she hopes to help others to seek a diagnosis, as she states women are missed or misdiagnosed due to the gender inequities of diagnosis.

" On ne saura jamais quel aurait été mon destin sans cette maladie – une méningite bactérienne foudroyante à l’âge de six ans –, mais je n’aurais sans doute pas vécu le quart de ce que j’ai eu la chance de vivre jusqu’à présent. Je suis Théo Curin, vingt-deux ans, amputé des quatre membres, bien dans ma tête, bien dans ma peau. Quand on me demande comment je réagirais si on me rendait bras et jambes, je réponds : “Non, merci, je ne saurais qu’en faire !” J’ai des choses à dire et le sentiment d’être écouté, que demander de plus ? "

Amanda Harris presents her inspiring autobiography. Travel with her as she shares her life experiences from diagnosis of a visual impairment, at only a few weeks old, to becoming a successful business owner and motivational speaker. An honest, moving and funny story highlighting transformation from the only disabled child in the playground to a strong independent woman.

The yard was a huge piece of property with a forest out back (or at least a few dozen trees). We had a barn and a horse (really a very small pony, but I didn’t know that then) named Romeo, because he liked to roam—often ending up out of the fenced pasture and out on the street. We had chickens, as well, in a coop by the barn up at the edge of the forest.

O sonho de Juli era ser mãe e ela o realizou–e segue realizando diariamente–porém, ela não esperava os desafios que a maternidade atípica lhe reservava. O diagnóstico de Rafael veio no ano de 2015 e, de lá para cá, o hobby de Juli em escrever e influenciar pessoas teve uma mudança drástica: compartilhar tudo aquilo que estava reaprendendo com seu filho e sua família, fazendo-a acrescentar em seu currículo mais uma função: palestrante.

Lillian was a college freshman, a promising theater major facing the challenge of Stargardt’s disease, a condition that was causing her to go blind. When, in the fall of 2009, Lillian became sick, she assured her parents it was just the flu. Four days later she was in the university hospital, relying on a machine to breathe for her. Based on her father’s journal, this memoir describes what it’s like to live through a parent’s worst nightmare, conveying the heart-wrenching ups and downs of Lillian’s time in the hospital.

Kamata's adventures with her teen—who happens to be deaf, with cerebral palsy, and in a wheelchair—through subterranean Tennessee, to the islands of Japan, and to the top of the Eiffel Tower ultimately lead to a daughter's increasing independence, a mother letting go of expectations, and advocacy for travel which prohibits discrimination.

Learning disabilities (LD) are a root cause of major problems in our society. Vast numbers of youngsters are not receiving appropriate education. Nancy Lelewer’s story began when even less was known about learning disabilities than is known today. In a gripping and fast-moving narrative style, this audiobook brings home the fact that LD persons need to receive instruction via different routes and the earlier the better.

Brendan Conboy published his biography, ‘The Golden Thread’ in 2015. This is his continuing story and is an example of how God can still use us regardless of our weaknesses, disabilities, age and infirmities. Brendan lives with a life-limiting and disabling kidney disease. He has faced many life-threatening battles and persevered. Nearly died four times, been on life support twice. He has been in the well-known tunnel of light twice, the approach road to heaven.

A rare insight into the complexities faced by autistic people and a completely new perspective on some astonishing advantages of autism. For autistic individuals, relatives and carers, teachers, friends, partners, employers or anyone else who is interested in learning about autism.

Tales from my Yellow Room is a first-hand account of the challenges of living with a congenital disability, and the invisible difficulties society adds to such a life. Written with candor and humor, this Scottish-American story may change people’s perception of disability.

Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Tammy wanted to share her journey with ALS with real and raw truths. Follow Tammy as she gives you a peek into her life before her diagnosis and then her journey while fighting ALS. This memoir was written with just Tammy's eyes using a electronic device called a Eye Gaze.

Shock. That was Darla's first reaction when her carefree childhood was disrupted by cancer. Her life became a roller coaster of intense emotions. Sadly, she lost her leg and, ultimately, faced death. During her illness, we shared difficult times, but also great times celebrating life as Darla grew in faith and joy. She lived in the present (not worrying about her past or future) and was very positive. Darla was a joy to be with because she was joyful!

A sudden rise in opioid addicts coinciding with a sudden drop in legally available opioids, created a desperation for prescription drugs never seen before in this country. Physicians shut down their previous practice of repeated refills, once the death toll was too high to ignore. As hospitals and rehab facilities instituted drug testing and CORI checks to ensure employees were clean, one health-care option stood alone as a place to easily obtain painkillers. That place was home health care.