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Living a Fulfilling Life
My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis is your memoir and call to action for accessibility and inclusivity after receiving your diagnosis of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). Why was this an important book for you to write?
There are a few reasons, but I’ll stick to two:
I wanted to show a positive representation of living with a disability. For too long, it’s been described as a tragedy and something that needs to be fixed. But that is not always the case. Being disabled has its challenges, no doubt, but living a fulfilling life is possible.
Secondly, I wanted to show people going through similar things that they are not alone.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Some ideas include that the ability to walk does not equal happiness, and disabled people have value and are capable.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
The neurologist who diagnosed me told me not to let FA stop me from doing what I had planned with my life.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Living a fulfilling life with a disability is possible, and don’t assume disabled people aren’t intelligent or capable to do a job.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Jennifer Gasner is seventeen when her dreams are shattered overnight.
Receiving a diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, means she must prepare herself for a life of loss. When she starts college, she can still walk on her own, but as her disease progresses, she spirals further into sadness, denial, and alienation. She turns to alcohol and a toxic relationship to distract her from what she refuses to accept—that her body, her self-esteem, and her hope for her future are failing.
When Jennifer develops a friendship with rock star Dave Matthews, her outlook changes. She begins to understand that using a wheelchair doesn’t mean her life is over. In fact, when she discovers disability culture, she realizes it’s not her body that needs to be fixed but her assumptions about being disabled.
In her captivating memoir, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis, Jennifer invites you into her world, where she must learn to view her changing body with compassion and choose gratitude over anger as she finds strength and acceptance in a whole new way of moving through life.
My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis
Jennifer Gasner’s memoir, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis, offers a poignant and insightful portrayal of her life after being diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) at seventeen. Gasner’s narrative transcends the usual scope of disability literature by delving into the dynamics of her relationships and how others’ actions profoundly affected her life, presenting a multifaceted view of her experiences. The book addresses the complexities Gasner faced in accepting her diminishing physical abilities and seeking fulfillment in her academic and professional endeavors. She confronts the daunting reality of her shortened life expectancy, which adds a layer of urgency and poignancy to her story. Her resilience and unyielding spirit shine through as she encounters societal biases and misconceptions about disability.
A particularly revealing part of the memoir occurs during a routine medical examination. Gasner highlights the discrimination faced by disabled individuals through her interaction with a doctor who prioritizes their convenience over her medical needs. This incident, among others, reflects the broader societal challenges and misunderstandings about disability, including occasional oversights by her otherwise supportive family. Gasner’s writing is characterized by its candidness and emotional depth. She shares her fears, aspirations, and frustrations, allowing readers to connect deeply with her journey. Her successes and eventual acceptance of her life’s new path are marked by a sense of positivity and determination. Central to the memoir is Gasner’s advocacy for accessibility and inclusivity.
My Unexpected Life emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating people with disabilities. It invites readers to reflect on their actions and the imperative of cultivating a world that values and embraces the diversity of human experiences. This memoir is not just an account of Gasner’s life; it’s a call to action for societal change and greater empathy toward individuals with disabilities.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0CCGDLL16
LITERARY TITAN 