Disability Memoir

In "Gift of Life: Transforming Destinies through Organ Transplants," you'll travel on a remarkable journey of hope, bravery, and the astonishing power of human generosity. The amazing tales of people whose lives have been profoundly altered by the gift of a second chance—the gift of life itself—are revealed in this captivating book. You'll find a tapestry of stories that reinforce the profound worth of life by inspiring, challenging, and concluding.

A moving story about how autism and a shared appreciation for superheroes brought two brothers together. Author Josh Stehle learned everything he knows about superheroes from his older brother and best friend, Zach. From the worlds they live in, to the writers who created them, and studios who produced them--Zach is an expert in all things superhuman and heroic. He is also on the autistic spectrum.

These are a collection of new poems and some poems taken from the vault of Timothy Paul Brown. As usual they express the trials and tribulations, the glory and the pain, the grandiosity and obsession, the paranoid deluded thinking that come with having a paranoid schizophrenic disability. There is so much intensity and passion exhibited in this work of art. The author will take you to places you have never been in mind and spirit. You will feel empathy and compassion probably some sympathy. But these poems are not meant to make its listeners feel sorry for the author.

When Jim Sayre was a totally blind child growing up in Zanesville, Ohio, in the 1940s and '50s, blind children were typically steered into occupations caning chairs or tuning pianos. "Or selling pencils on street corners," Jim says. No way he was going to settle for that. With the help of a loving mother who saw the wisdom of integrating a blind child into the sighted world and Jim's own innate determination--he might call it stubbornness--Jim overcame the obstacles and prejudices blind children faced in those times.

Already facing a wretched cancer diagnosis, a young man’s prospects for survival dim as he learns his treatments have not worked. Writing against the clock, he feverishly authors a story of profound joy and sadness exploring the life he could have lived. Desperately told, his story takes you through poignant memories, intimate relationships, and fantastical triumphs in a quest to make sense of it all and leave a legacy behind.

In the haunting reality captured in this audiobook, a 13-year-old soul finds himself ensnared within the harrowing confines of a nightmarish residential treatment facility. In those 60 days, his very humanity teetered on the edge, threatened to be torn asunder. This raw and unflinching account paints a vivid portrait of a young spirit's resilience and the chilling depths of human suffering.

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.

Ife Thomas’ Five Life Lessons from a Motivational Speaker’ is a deeply personal and inspiring journey through the author’s life challenges and triumphs. Ife shares her experiences of overcoming obstacles as a neurodiverse individual, from childhood rejection and grappling with an undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder to professional setbacks and personal growth. Her book weaves powerful narratives from her life with practical, actionable steps for personal development.

Narrated by award-winning actress, Shariba Rivers, Kari Kelley's Living Resiliently is a book that blends autobiographical information with tips for living a resilient life. As you listen to this audiobook, you will witness the many obstacles that the author overcame in her own life. You may also recognize that you are resilient as well. As you listen to this audiobook, you may discover that living a resilient life is not just possible, it is a calling.

In 1959, at the age of 21, Max Starkloff was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His doctors doubted he would live longer than a few days, and, if he survived, the hope for his quality of life would be minimal. How did this young man with barely a high school education become the leader of a powerful disability rights movement and the founder of the Starkloff Disability Institute? This is his remarkable story.

At the age of thirty, just as everything was falling into place for him, Lee Pesky died of brain cancer. For his father, Alan, grief came with the realization that he had lost the chance to love Lee as he was—not as he wanted him to be. Ambitious, successful, and always striving for more, Alan had a hard time relating to a son who struggled with learning disabilities at a time when there was little understanding or help for kids who had them. Their relationship was complicated, and now, Lee was gone.

Theresa Marafito, daughter of Irish immigrant parents, was born in 1933 in New York City, blind in one eye with partial vision in the other. She was a precocious child who wanted to appear “normal” to her peers and family, regardless of her disability. Her game was to be independent, not dependent, and would rarely ask for help. At 19, she graduated magna cum laude with two master’s degrees. Theresa and her husband, Jerry, who was also visually impaired, would build a house on a shoestring budget and had two daughters; one who was also born visually impaired.

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.

Sara invites us to join her on a far more personal journey, this time, as she tests her own beliefs in the alternative health-care practices she’s learnt of over recent years. Presented with the urgency of “More tests needed right now!” when initial images reveal a lump measuring 4.5 centimetres by 1.2 centimetres in her left breast, she decides to follow a non-standard course or action.

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.

This audiobook is about the life of Alberto. He is a special man with disabilities, diagnosed with both Cerebral Palsy and Scoliosis as a toddler. Alberto is an aspiring writer, who uses an augmentative alternative communication device (AAC) to speak. He enjoys music, movies, and social media. He currently resides in Irvine, California. This audiobook spans his life from the day he was born in San Pedro, California through his graduation from Valley Senior High School, Santa Ana, California. The audiobook takes you through the humorous and memorable moments of his life.

This book is about one big rollercoaster. It's about a girl who has CP (cerebral palsy) and the challenges she has faced throughout her life. A girl who is lucky to be blessed with people who stood beside her all the way. A girl who tries to do it all and doesn't let her CP get in the way of life. She just goes with it!

Dharana nos cuenta en este alentador relato su inquebrantable fuerza interior frente a la experiencia de la enfermedad y cómo cultivar la energía del amor y la comprensión le han liberado del miedo. Le han hecho seguir siempre adelante siendo este su lema, por más difícil que la vida se lo haya puesto.