This is a memoir, an inspirational story. Joni Eareckson Tada, the Director of the ministry Joni and Friends, endorses this book and opens this memoir with a Forward. Katherine opens the couplle's memoir with a Prologue. The book is arranged in parts: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four. The authors end with an Epilogue. The authors don't arrange this book by chapters. Instead, they arrange it by sections, starting with their respective signatures. They wrap it up with acknowledgements of all those who made this book possible. It ends with Bible verses cited in the third part of the book. The authors, Jay and Katherine Wolf, are the couple who tell the story of the near-tragic, massive brain stem stroke that almost ended Katherine's life. They share their message of hope in Christ and do so in many forums, with others.
I read this memoir through quckly. I pored over the photos of Katherine, after the injury, over and over. It's amazing how far she has come. This book shows that a will to live, combined with lots of outside support, are powerful. The book was all I expected it to be, inspirational, interesting, hopeful and God-centered. I was surprised that Katherine, who had suffered a major traumatic brain injury,was able to write so well in her segments. I looked to see if a ghostwriter had helped in the writing of this book. I saw no evidence at all of that. Frontal lobe functions, which control cognitive functions, memory, and all higher-order thinking, were unaffected. All of Katherine's disabilities, stemming from her traumatic brain injury, are solely physical. In a way, physical disabilities are easier to bear than mental or cognitive losses, whether stemming from developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury later in life. Katherine and her husband, Jay, don't hold back in revealing their struggles and vulnerabilities. Yet in view of all their struggles, their hope in Christ is always in view. Many people with traumatic brain injuries often lose friends and relationships. This is because when traumatic brain injuries affect the frontal lobes and hence, memory, emotions and communication, relationships are affected. And these frontal lobe losses affect how a traumatic brain injury survivor relates to people. That has NOT been the case with Katherine, as all her higher-order thinking abilities are unaffected. If anything, she and her family have been overwhelmed with love, support, and friends from the beginning. Also, being conected with a church family was a big help and blessing. I was saddened when I read the part of the book about Katherine's rehab program. I read about her fellow traumatic brain injury patients and survivors. According to the account, most of them had cognitive and mental losses. Their ability to relate to people was dramatically affected. This book shows that if we trust God,we can be sure that He'll never let us down. It shows that what the world defines as beauty and success, are not what God defines as such. Another lesson is that while physical disabilities are certainly challenging, but mental disabilities may be even harder.
I recommend this book for everyone. I recommend it for all Christians, whatever stage of spiritual growth they are in. As this book has prolife and possible end of life themes, it is of interest to the prolife community. The authors make clear that every life is worth living. Non-Christians may benefit from reading this book, and be pointed to God Who doesn't prevent suffering but uses it for greater good. It doesn't pretend to have all the answers but invites readers to trust God. This is a book for all. Most of all, I recommend it for those who are facing loss and suffering, whoever you are.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through BookLook Bloggers, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.
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