Almost Like a Song by Ronnie Milsap with Tom Carter.
Taken in by dirt-poor, but loving grandparents after his mother rejected him, Ronnie was soon sent off to a school for the blind. There, among other things, he learned discipline, determination, and classical music--acquirements that shaped his boyhood, his career, and his success as a country music superstar. His inspiring story reveals little-known aspects of the music industry where he rose to the top. RC 32896.
Amazing Grace: Autobiography of a Survivor by Grace Halloran.
Recounts the life of Californian Grace Halloran, who was diagnosed at age twenty-three with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disorder leading to blindness. Learning that her newborn son could also become blind, Halloran dedicated her life to discovering ways to preserve and strengthen sight. RC 52017.
Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy.
In fourth grade, the author had a toothache that turned out to be cancer. A portion of her jaw was eventually removed, leaving her face misshapened. Grealy describes her growing awareness that she was now odd-looking and her attempts to come to terms with people's reactions. After a series of failed surgeries, she had her jaw reconstructed as an adult, but she learned her belief that "when my face gets fixed, then I'll start living," was too simplistic. RC 40052, BR 10051.
Beyond the Double Night by Ken D. Thompson.
Life story of James Morrison Heady, an American novelist, poet, inventor, philosopher, musician, and composer. Born in 1829, Heady, who became both blind and deaf, invented the "Talking Glove" and Diplograph embossing typewriter. Traces Heady's advocacy of the production of books in raised letters as a significant force behind the founding of the American Printing House for the Blind. RC 43139, BR 10679.
Black Bird Fly Away: Disabled in an Able-Bodied World by Hugh Gregory Gallagher.
The author presents journal entries, essays, and speeches. Gallagher was a college student of twenty when he almost died of polio. As an influential Senate aide and lobbyist in Washington, D.C., he was instrumental in passing the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968.RC 48383.
Blind Courage by Bill Irwin with David McCasland.
A variety of problems involving family, alcoholism, and blindness prompted middle-aged Bill Irwin's decision to tackle the 2,000-mile-long Appalachian Trail with his dog guide Orient. For eight months in 1990, the self-proclaimed non-hiker made his way along the sometimes treacherous trail--a feat he credits to God. In describing the trip, Irwin stresses the helpfulness of the other "thru-hikers" he met. RC 36368.
Blind Fate by Pierre Nubar.
Memoir of a blind Frenchman, who came to the United States in 1953. Nubar recalls his years in an orphanage in Marseilles, coming to America seeking medical treatment for his deteriorating eyesight, and how a policeman from his past changed his fortune. RC 52169.
Blind Sighted: One Man's Journey from Sight to Insight by Marty Klein.
In 1976, by the age of twenty-eight, Marty Klein was completely blind. In 1990 he began writing his life story to explain how he changed from a sighted, confident, rebellious, and self-centered young man of the 1960s to a compassionate and responsible man in the 1990s--who happens to be blind. In his account, Klein discusses three main topics: the Vietnam War, drugs, and fate. Strong language. RC 39917.
Bravo! Miss Brown: A World without Sight and Sound by Joan MacTavish.
Biography of Mae Brown (1935-1973), who was the first deaf-blind person to graduate from a Canadian university and a counselor at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Her college tutor chronicles Brown's family, education, social and professional life, and triumphs and disappointments. RC 52603, BR 13551.
Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic by Abraham Schmitt as told to Mary Lou Hartzler Clemens.
The author portrays his difficulty in coping with a condition that he could not comprehend until he discovered in middle age that it was a serious learning disability. Born into a nearly illiterate Mennonite village in a Canadian prairie province, Schmitt suffered humiliation, confusion, and failure. Now he looks upon his disability as something to survive, not resolve. RC 38931.
Broken Vessels by Andre Dubus.
Dubus describes his thirteen-year personal and domestic rite-of-passage in these autobiographical essays. He reveals how he challenged the faith acquired during his Catholic upbringing in a Cajun-Creole section of Louisiana, the contradictions he feels as an American male, how he copes with the physical handicap that he sustained in a serious accident, and the difficulties of being a writer and being human. RC 34569, BR 8846.
Comeback by Dave Dravecky.
Baseball player Dravecky had been in the majors for six years when a lump in his pitching arm was diagnosed as cancerous. He describes how the religious faith he and his family had helped him cope with the ordeal of tests, surgery, and the news that he would never pitch again. It was termed a miracle that Dravecky did successfully pitch again, but he retired shortly afterwards because of medical complications. Dave Dravecky autobiography series, book 1. RC 34849.
Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome by Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz .
Two young men, both diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, write about how they earned their independence. Assisted by their mothers, Kingsley and Levitz talk about their challenges, mutual respect and affection, expectations, special and mainstream education, and family support. Topics echo the concerns of most young people: school, friends, money, jobs, life, sex, and marriage.RC 38446, BR 9616.
Dare to Dream by Rose Resnick.
Resnick lost her sight in 1918 at the age of two--the result of measles. As a child growing up in New York City she attended public schools. Her musical talent was discovered at the New York Association for the Blind. Her love of music has aided her throughout her life in her careers in education and social work, and has brought her many awards. RC 32877, BR 8459.
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot by John Callahan.
At age twenty-one, Callahan was involved in a car accident--he was drunk at the time--that left him paralyzed for life. For six years he continued to live in a drunken stupor. Then he joined AA. With a wry sense of humor, he describes how he copes physically and psychologically with his paralysis. Strong language and descriptions of sex. RC 31072, BR 8316.
The Education of Laura Bridgman: First Deaf and Blind Person to Learn Language by Ernest Freeburg.
Chronicles the life of Laura Bridgman, who, born into a New Hampshire farm family in 1829, became deaf and blind at the age of two. Freeberg recounts Laura's transformation into a woman who voraciously absorbed the world around her under the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins Institution for the Blind. RC 51875, BR 13354.
Flying without Wings: Personal Reflections on Being Disabled by Arnold R. Beisser.
At twenty-five, Beisser, a medical intern and tennis champion, developed polio. Forced to live in an iron lung, he first tried to view his disability as a competition he could win. Realizing that he would have to live with his disability, he redirected his life, becoming a psychiatrist. He reflects on time, space, relationships, health, and acceptance . RC 30665.
For the Children: Lessons from a Visionary Principal by Madeline Cartwright and Michael D'Orso.
Madeline Cartwright spent thirty-three years as a teacher and then principal of inner-city Philadelphia elementary schools. She describes growing up in a large, poor black family and her own learning disability. The methods Cartwright used to reach the children (who were poor and sometimes "crack babies") and their parents improved one school so much that it was featured on national news.RC 37671.
Fortunate Son by Lewis B. Puller.
Puller grew up in a family rich in military tradition, and it was inevitable that he would serve in Vietnam. When he came home after only a few months, to a wife and soon-to-be-born child, he was missing his legs and parts of both hands. After years of rehabilitation and a brush with death from alcoholism, he became a senior lawyer with the Department of Defense. RC 33563.
Going the Distance: Living a Full Life with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Debilitating Diseases by Moira Griffin.
In 1983 free-lance writer Moira Griffin, training for a triathlon, began feeling weak and falling occasionally. She was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. She describes her shock, anger, and frustration and the steps she took to come to grips with her emotions. She discusses the changes she made in her life-style and personal relationships. RC 31839.
Halfway Home: My Life 'til Now by Ronan Tynan.
Autobiography by a member of the Irish Tenors. Born in 1960 with a congenital leg deformity that led to a double amputation while Ronan was in college, he nevertheless became an accomplished horseman, a Paralympic gold medal winner, and a medical doctor before beginning his singing career. RC 55490.
A Healing Family by Kenzaburo Oe.
Author's account of his family's life and experiences with his handicapped son, who was born with a brain deformity. Relates the challenges of coping with the boy's physical and mental limitations, as well as the joy of watching him progress to the point of becoming a successful composer as an adult. Nobel Prize 1994. RC 44337.
Horizontal Woman: The Story of a Body in Exile by Suzanne Berger.
In twenty-eight autobiographical essays, a young wife and mother lyrically articulates her pain, frustration, and depression upon suddenly finding herself disabled. A lower-back injury forces her to live lying down for six years. Her limited mobility causes her to reexamine her relationships with family, friends, and everyday contacts. Some strong language. RC 44995.
How to Survive Hearing Loss by Charlotte Himber.
Himber, whose hearing has been impaired for most of her life, is one of more than twenty million Americans with some form of hearing impairment. She chronicles her own hearing loss, her gradual acceptance of it, and her experience with a variety of hearing aids. She also provides information on various kinds of hearing loss, on how hearing is evaluated, and on how to help friends and families adjust. RC 32878, BR 8430.
I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility by Trisha Meili.
The victim of a 1989 brutal assault and rape in New York City recounts overcoming medical odds to become an inspiration to others suffering massive brain injury. Fourteen years after the attack, Meili discusses the aftermath of her trauma, her rehabilitation, and the reasons for finally going public with her story. RC 56125.
I Can't Walk, So I'll Learn to Dance by Carolyn Martin with Gregg Lewis.
Martin describes growing up with cerebral palsy. Her schooling experiences ranged from wonderful, at the Crippled Children's School in North Dakota, to frustrating special needs classes. Her dream of being educated, free, dignified, and a writer faltered occasionally but never expired. "An inch at a time," Carolyn completed college and learned to live independently. RC 38962.
Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen.
Former emergency room doctor records her ordeal with breast cancer during an eleven month stay in Antarctica. Describes the dilemma she faced as the only medical officer for the forty-one members of the research team. Recalls the camaraderie that developed amid the extreme conditions of the 1999 polar winter. RC 51560.
If You Could See What I Hear by Tom Sullivan and Derek Gill.
Autobiography of a young man who became blind shortly after birth. Gifted and refusing to accept limitations, he developed his abilities, becoming a champion wrestler, a dean's list student, a Harvard graduate, and a successful musician. He focuses on personal relationships, especially with his family, and experiences that have helped him maintain a positive outlook. RC 35991, BR 2848.
An Iranian Odyssey by Gohar Kordi.
The author lost her sight at the age of three because her mother neglected her when she was ill, although the stigma of being a girl in an Iranian family was the real challenge for Kordi. Forced to beg, she persuaded someone to contact a radio station about her plight and finally gained a place in a boarding school for the blind. Though she excelled, she still had to struggle to enter a university. Such determination is the subject of this memoir. RC 37078.
It's Not about the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong with Sally Jenkins.
The internationally recognized Texan cyclist relates how a diagnosis of testicular cancer at age twenty-five changed his priorities. Recounts the major events in his life including the ordeals of his treatment, his comeback to win the 1999 Tour de France, and his joy in being a father. Some strong language. RC 50265.
Jungle in Black by Steve Maguire.
The author is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who was blinded by a Viet Cong land mine in 1969. He recounts intense experiences as both a soldier in Vietnam and as a wounded veteran trying to put his life back together in an America that had turned its back on the war. With courage, determination, and help from friends and his future wife, he surmounts the painful psychological and social adjustments of his homecoming. RC 36722.
Just As I Am: Americans with Disabilities by Ellen Dossett.
Portrays forty individuals--children, teens, and adults--who live with a physical and/or mental disability. Describes their accomplishments, family perspectives, and hopes for the future. Foreword by former senator Bob Dole. RC 55221.
Legwork: An Inspiring Journey through a Chronic Illness by Ellen MacFarlane.
Consumer advocacy investigative reporter MacFarlane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986. Although she had suffered suicidal depression in the past, she faced MS with determination, even after ironically falling prey to a $100,000 scam "cure." Her marriage failed and her MS progressed until she became triplegic, but she retained her self-confidence throughout. Some strong language. RC 39754.
Lessons in Laughter: The Autobiography of a Deaf Actor by Bernard Bragg as signed to Eugene Bergman.
Born in 1928 to deaf parents, the author grew up in an environment of signing. Not until Bragg started school did he realize that the rest of the world communicated differently. He loved the theatre and dreamed of performing professionally. He studied mime under Marcel Marceau and was instrumental in establishing the National Theatre of the Deaf. RC 31864, BR 8128.
Listening in the Silence, Seeing in the Dark: Reconstructing Life after Brain Injury by Ruthann Johansen.
A mother recounts the rehabilitation of her fifteen-year-old son after his brain and central nervous system were severely injured in a car accident in 1985. She depicts the long process of personal reconstruction after traumatic brain injury and the repercussions within the family. RC 55686.
Listening with My Heart by Heather Whitestone with Angela Elwell Hunt.
The author tells of growing up deaf after a childhood illness and dreaming first of being a dancer and then of being a beauty pageant winner. Crowned Miss America in 1995, Whitestone became the first victor with a disability. She tells of her belief that she is following God's plan and describes the five guiding principles that helped her find success. RC 45339, BR 11364.
Locked In: A Young Woman's Battle with Stroke by Judy Mozersky.
The author describes her experiences since 1990, when as a nineteen-year-old Cornell undergraduate she was "locked in" by a stroke, leaving her unable to move or speak but able to communicate by eye blinks. She and others detail her progress from hospital care to a more stimulating environment in her own apartment, where she continues her studies. RC 47035.
Long Time, No See by Beth Finke.
National Public Radio commentator's memoir of confronting blindness from diabetic retinopathy. Includes medical information pertinent to her personal experience as she discusses going blind as a newlywed, having and caring for a multiply disabled child, using a talking-computer setup, and acquiring a guide dog to support her independence. Some strong language. RC 56482, BR 14821.
Me and My Shadow: Learning to Live with Multiple Sclerosis by Carol Mackie.
Memoir of a British Airways stewardess, who at twenty-three experienced physical numbness and incapacitation, which was eventually diagnosed as relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. She describes dealing with symptoms, doing multiple sclerosis fund raising with celebrities, and striving to continue working. Includes a chapter by her employer. Some strong language. RC 49634.
More Than an Average Guy: The Story of Larry Patton by Janet Kastner.
Larry Patton's birth, in January of 1956, was a difficult one. The umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, and the doctor worked hard to get him to breathe. Lack of oxygen caused cerebral palsy, but Larry and his family have survived and triumphed. This is their story, from the baby's birth to his graduation from college, employment with IBM, and marriage to his sweetheart in 1987. RC 32939.
More Than Meets the Eye: The Story of a Remarkable Life and a Transcending Love by Joan Brock and Derek L. Gill.
Thirty-two-year-old Joan and her husband Joe were employed at the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School when Joan suddenly lost the ability to see the color pink and soon was irreversibly blind. Then Joe was diagnosed with cancer and died. Joan and her daughter moved, and Joan obtained a "talking computer", spoke about her experience, and wed a high-school crush. RC 39905, BR 9962.
My Friend, You Are Legally Blind: A Writer's Struggle with Macular Degeneration by Charles Champlin.
A journalist for fifty years relates his lifestyle accommodations after being diagnosed in 1999 with age-related macular degeneration. Describes his adjustments to being unable to drive and read, organizations and tools that have assisted him, and medical treatments he has tried. RC 53279.
My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease by Robert Davis.
Robert Davis, a minister, was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's Disease at the age of fifty-three. He and his wife describe the psychological and economical devastation it brings to the estimated 2.5 million Americans who have the disease and to their loved ones. They also discuss their spiritual journey through these "terrors by night," and share their faith in God's love. RC 33848.
My Path Leads to Tibet: The Inspiring Story of How One Young Blind Woman Brought Hope to the Blind Children of Tibetby Sabriye Tenberken.
The author recounts her journey to Tibet, where she opened a school for blind children to teach them the Tibetan braille system she devised while a University of Bonn student. Tenberken describes losing her sight at age twelve, her education, establishing her school, and founding the organization Braille without Borders. RC 55975, BR 14654.
No Finish Line: My Life As I See It by Marla Runyan.
Memoirs of the first legally blind athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. Discovering that attitude can be more disabling than vision loss, Marla describes how she overcame difficulties at school by playing the violin and becoming a competitive runner. WOD 585, BR 14414.
No Limits by Harry Cordellos.
Cordellos avoided sports in his youth because of failing sight and a heart murmur. His attitude changed when he was introduced to water skiing through an orientation center. Now considered the most highly conditioned blind athlete in the world by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, director of Cooper Aerobics Center, Dallas, fifty-three-year-old Cordellos holds a master's degree in physical education and lectures widely. RC 37752.
Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic by Donna Williams.
Australian college graduate Williams did not realize she was autistic until her early twenties. In an effort to understand herself, Williams recorded her memories of a childhood of confusion and "abnormal" behavior, coupled with an abusive mother. This abuse caused her to create "normal" counterparts to present to the world. Some strong language and some violence. Donna Williams autobiography series, book 1. RC 36144.
Now I See by Charley Boswell and Curt Anders.
Boswell tells the story of his life, beginning with being blinded in 1944 and abandoning his hopes for a baseball career. After painful readjustment, he went on to become a successful businessman, father of three children, and National Blind Golf Champion. Boswell's account is based on his conviction that "lives frustrated by physical misfortune can be turned into new directions by new interests." RC 37739, BR 9370.
On Any Given Day by Joe Martin and Ross Yockey.
The author, after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), offers inspirational advice on living with this condition. With a deep faith in God and the help of his friends and family, Martin raises money for research and continues to work. RC 52610.
Only the Eyes Say Yes: A Love Story by Philippe and Stephane Vigand.
Chronicles the struggles of a young French couple after Philippe develops a condition known as locked-in syndrome as a result of a ruptured brain artery. Describes their rehabilitation efforts, including the use of a blinking alphabet and a computer. Ste´phane reflects on her decision to remain married and on the birth of their child. RC 50373.
Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy, and Birth by Anne Finger.
A disabled woman discusses her life as a polio survivor, abortion clinic worker, and mother. She recounts her difficult pregnancy, planned home delivery, emergency Cesarean in a hospital, and adjustment to the possibility of raising a disabled child. RC 44699.
Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto.
Although legally blind since birth, Kuusisto passed as sighted for more than thirty years. He describes his refracted visual perceptions and how pretending to see actually interfered with his participation in the sighted world. Then, by using a white cane and, eventually, a guide dog, he experienced new acceptance and mobility. Stephen Kuusisto autobiography series, book 1. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. RC 45500, BR 11518.
Ray Charles: Man and Music by Michael Lydon.
Traces Charles' life from his youth in Greenville, Florida. Recalls his vision loss in early childhood, his years at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, his mother's death, and his rise to fame as a musician, performer, and businessman. Describes his lifelong friendships with Quincy Jones, David Newman, and Leroy Cooper. RC 50564.
The Reading Fingers by Jean Roblin.
First authoritative English-language biography of the French inventor of braille text. Covers Braille's family background and how he became blind. Discusses his education, love for music, and contribution to intellectual advancement through his raised-dot system for reading. BR 14555.
Riding the Bus with My Sister: A True Life Journey by Rachel Simon.
Chronicles author's experiences with her mentally retarded but independent sister Beth. Riding buses everyday, Beth is part of a mobile community of drivers and passengers. Her indomitable spirit in the face of misunderstanding and prejudice forces Simon to reexamine their childhood and her own narrow adult life. RC 55678.
The Road Back: Living with a Physical Disability by Harriet Sirof.
The author picks three young people to show how life can "change in a minute." Steven was skateboarding when a fall left him partially paralyzed. Trisha was sleeping in the backseat of a car when it was hit by a truck. Christopher was applying for colleges when blurry vision led to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Physical and emotional adjustments each encountered are described. RC 41327.
Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Disease by Morton Kondracke.
Journalist recounts his vibrant wife's decline following the onset of the incurable, degenerative disease called Parkinson's. Describes their marriage in 1967, their volatile partnership, the first hand tremors in 1987 leading to the diagnosis, and the years of irreversible deterioration. Explains his transformation into a caregiver and activist for disease research. RC 53158.
Second Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr by Alison Osius.
By seventeen, Hugh Herr's main focus in life was mountain climbing, a sport in which he was already breaking records. Then tragedy struck: while climbing, Hugh and a friend became disoriented and were lost in the snow for days. Hugh's frostbitten lower legs were amputated, and he battled depression by training himself to climb again and by designing artificial limb parts. RC 35984.
Seeds of Disquiet: One Deaf Woman's Experience by Cheryl M. Heppner.
The author says that as a profoundly deaf child, she was taught to adapt to the hearing world. But after two strokes left Heppner completely deaf, she learned sign language, and then realized how frustrating her earlier life had been. She eventually became an advocate for deaf people. RC 40970, BR 10701.
The Sound of a Miracle: A Child's Triumph over Autism by Annabel Stehli.
A mother's inspirational tale of a search for treatment for her autistic daughter Georgie. After years of frustration with professionals who urged her to institutionalize the child, Stehli sought therapeutic intervention with a French audiologist, whose treatment virtually cured Georgie's condition. RC 56100.
A Special Kind of Hero by Chris Burke and Jo Beth McDaniel.
Chris Burke, also known as Corky Thatcher, co-star of the ABC television series "Life Goes On," reveals how he succeeded in life despite having Down syndrome. His teachers, colleagues, and the Burke family talk about what it is like to live and work with Chris.RC 37803, BR 9569.
Spirit of Courage: A Tribute to People with Disabilities by Paul Calandrino.
Laurel Burch is a well-known designer who has dealt with a bone disease since childhood. Here are her story and the stories of twenty-one other individuals with disabilities who have received the Laurel award for the "courageous and inspiring ways in which they have met the personal challenges in their lives." RC 42264.
Stars Come Out Within by Jean Little.
Following Little by Little (RC 29589), the second installment of the author's memoirs begins with her first day teaching disabled children. Little herself has always been visually impaired--a condition that worsens when she loses an eye to glaucoma. She is helped over this hurdle by the success of her first children's book and then by Zephyr, her new dog guide. Little continues to write stories featuring disabled children. Memoirs of Jean Little series, book 2. RC 36981.
Still Me by Christopher Reeve.
Best known for his role as Superman, actor Reeve discusses his life and career before and after the 1995 horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed. Reeve has faith that his injured spinal cord can eventually be repaired and is active in raising funds for research. Some strong language. RC 46341.
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller.
The restored classic autobiography of an exceptional young woman and her companion, originally published in 1903, with 2003 commentary by editor Roger Shattuck. Helen Keller's own account of her transformation is followed by her teacher Anne Sullivan's record of their early years together and insights of Anne's husband, John Macy. RC 55883, BR 14704.
Summit by Marc Maurer.
Seven blind persons recall how they have reached the summit as they scaled "personal mountains." "To Climb Every Mountain" describes Erik Weihenmayer's successful ascent of Mt. Everest. Other chapters recount a blind student's camp counselor job and a teenager's conquest of the fear of losing her physical freedom on becoming blind. Kernel series. RC 56407, BR 14827.
There's a Boy in Here by Sean Barron and Judy Barron.
Diagnosed as autistic at four, Sean Barron continued his compulsive, repetitive, and often dangerous habits for years but learned speech and attended school while his mother, Judy, struggled to work with him. Recalling the experience, Sean at thirty and Judy describe how in his late teens Sean finally discovered how to get off the "merry-go-round." Strong language. RC 43816, BR 9520.
Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin.
A professor of animal behavior attributes her career success to autism. Her heightened ability to visualize allows her to convert concepts to nonverbal images in a mental "video library." Among other things, this ability has enabled her to design humane handling equipment for livestock. RC 43272.
To Race the Wind: An Autobiography by Harold Krents.
Recollections of a former Harvard law student who is blind. Krents fell in love, graduated with honors, and passed the New York State bar exam. Recalls childhood loneliness and being taunted in public school. Credits family support for his perseverance. Krents's experiences inspired the popular play and movie Butterflies Are Free. RC 53815, BR 2109.
Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See by Erik Weihenmayer.
In this adventure-packed memoir, the author recalls rebelling against becoming blind by age fifteen. Relates acquiring a passion for mountaineering and developing the character traits that enabled him to succeed. Covers his climbing exploits and his wedding on top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Some strong language. RC 51505, BR 14512.
Twilight: Losing Sight, Gaining Insight by Henry Grunwald.
Former editor and ambassador describes his life after developing age-related macular degeneration. Shares his research into the disease and discusses medical treatments, assistive devices, and helpful agencies. Deprived of visual experiences, he admits that the emotional effects are profound, but advises disabled people to stay involved in the world. RC 49236.
The Unseen Minority: A Social History of Blindness in America by Frances Koestler.
Examines U.S. contributions toward improving the condition of blind individuals. Discusses the invention of braille and the origins of the talking book. Includes portraits of Louis Braille of France, Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan Macy, and Dorothy Eustis, as well as detailed accounts of mid-twentieth-century federal and state legislation. RC 37927.
Up and Running: The Jami Goldman Story by Jami Goldman and Andrea Cagan.
A record-setting sprinter and inspirational speaker, Goldman recounts the ordeal that left her a double amputee at nineteen and how she transformed adversity into challenge. Further describes her emotionally devastating trial against the state of Arizona and the steadfast support of her family, friends, and husband Beau. RC 55469.
Voyage to the Island by Raija Nieminen.
Nieminen's deafness advanced slowly during her youth, allowing her to learn her native Finnish, perfect lipreading, and master sign language. When her husband's career takes the family to a Caribbean island for two years, Nieminen's self-confidence diminishes as she struggles with the difficulties English presents to deaf foreigners. Her search for an understanding deaf community leads Nieminen to teach sign language to deaf children. RC 34472, BR 9085.
When the Phone Rings, My Bed Shakes: Memoirs of a Deaf Doctor by Philip Zazove.
Zazove was born hearing only vowels and a few consonants. His parents decided to mainstream him rather than give him special schooling. He describes growing up, going to medical school, and having a family practice in Utah. Interspersed throughout his own history are details of various cases he has had. Dr. Zazove went on to teach at a university medical school. RC 41010.