Walking Papers: A True Story

[Subtitled: the Accident that Changed my Life, and the Business that got me Back on My Feet]
by Francesco Clark
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 discs
read by Kirby Heyborne

This is a fascinating story and Heyborne brings great expression to the reading of it - Clark's young life changed forever by a late-night dive into the shallow end of a pool at age 24. His broken neck, SCI, surgery, therapy, and everything that goes with a life-changing event made me both sad and hopeful.

I remember when Christopher Reeve broke his neck and I scoffed at all the attention and money that went to help a superstar. What about ordinary people? Louie pointed out that ordinary people would benefit from the research and advances *because* of Reeve's celebrity. Yeah. Didn't think about that. Hearing the author's admiration of Reeve reminded me of this long-ago conversation.

Listening to this was hard for me because of everything that happened with Sam. At times, I thought that Clark was a little too whiny . . . but I get whiny too without as much cause. And I'm sure for all of Sam's incredibly positive attitude, there are times she asks the hard questions too. I wish I could talk with her.

This is a fascinating story about SCI and recovery. It's also about the human spirit. Clark recognizes that his family and their incredible support made a huge difference to him. How maddening to have insurance companies dictating the level of therapy, supplies, etc. What transformations in his life! Pre-accident, soon after, and years later continuing to "get better" (his words). I'm glad I "read" this book.

Spinal Cord Injury and the Family

by Dr. Michelle J. Alpert and Saul Wisnia
Hennepin County Library paperback 329 pages
genre: non-fiction

This is an amazing book - so much so that I'm ordering my own copy off Amazon. It is informative, positive, and has lots of examples from different people's lives. It covers an incredible range of issues for SCI individuals and their families.

I also liked (but not nearly as much) - Mayo Clinic Guide to Living with a Spinal Cord Injury. I didn't read a lot of it, but it was definitely informative and had helpful graphics.

I absolutely could not get much out of a third book I got at the same time. I've already returned it and don't remember the title, but it was written by two doctors who are apparently unaware that lay people do not have their medical knowledge.

Added 2/6/14
I finished reading all of SCI and the Family. What an incredibly well-written book. The authors are compassionate, helpful, realistic, and encouraging. They talk about physical issues, parenting, sexuality, dating, and different types of relationships. I'm glad I read this. I hope that it reaches a large audience of people who have been affected by SCI.