Unforgettable People with Disabilities Audiobooks from April 2024
WRITTEN BY Sounded Best Of
ARTICLE TYPE Book of the Week
PUBLISHED ON 2024-04-15
MAIN NARRATION BY Gill Mills TrueVoice
Unforgettable People with Disabilities Audiobooks from April 2024
Sounded showcases some of the best audiobooks in People with Disabilities for April 2024. Listen to the highlights of these epic titles.
Nothing Special by Dianne Bilyak
A late bloomer’s coming-of-age memoir asks how does one accept and free themselves from visible and invisible disabilities and still retain their sense of connection and humor? Nothing Special is a disarmingly candid tale of two sisters growing up in the 1970s in rural Connecticut. Older sister Chris, who has Down syndrome, is an extrovert, while the author, her younger, typically developing sister shoulders the burdens and grief of her parents. In Nothing Special Bilyak offers vignettes that range from heartrending to laugh-out-loud funny as well as a real-world picture of fighting for her own life, finding a place in her family, and strengthening the relationship with her sister. "Bilyak's Nothing Special is, despite its witty title, something special. [S]he takes us on a wild ride with her charismatic sister, the unflappable, self-avowed and completely uncowed Dr. Irma King, who just happens to have Down syndrome." —Dorion Sagan "With charming specificity and hilarity, Bilyak writes frankly about her own identity, and that of her sister's. Through honest self-reflection and observation, Bilyak hits home something that we so badly need to hear right now: that people with disabilities are not a monolith, and that there is no perfect way to love or be loved by them." ―Bekah Brunstetter "Dianne Bilyak's Nothing Special is wonderfully fulfilling and accessible―you feel like you're reading this incredibly honest diary about the complexities of family that's so relatable!" ―Brian Donovan “Nothing Special is a revaluation of cultural perceptions of Down syndrome and a realistic portrayal of gritty humor in the face of adversity. Bilyak’s honesty is breathtaking, with anecdotes ranging from poignant to laugh-out-loud funny." ―Richard Blanco
In 1979, I was three months pregnant with my second child and in excruciating pain, pain I’d been dealing with every day for almost 15 months. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t sleep. In just a year, I’d gone from being an active young woman to being almost entirely incapacitated. Everything was pain. Trying to find the cause was almost as bad as the diagnosis. At every turn, I was told nothing was wrong. Nobody was helping. Another three months passed and I went in for my six-month check-up with my obstetrician. He, too, told me everything was fine… but it definitely was not. I broke down in tears in his office. I couldn’t do it anymore. The agony was too much and I was at my wit’s end. He took me seriously and what happened next would change my life forever. After 18 months, I finally had a diagnosis - 1st April 1980 - It was a tumour the size of a tennis ball on my knee. It was Cancer. Almost in the same breath they said that I would have to have my leg amputated above the knee and oh by the way, he said, highly probable that I would lose the baby as it wouldn’t survive the trauma of the surgery. I was 26 years old and 26 weeks pregnant. After 40 years since diagnosis, I’m still here… and that wasn’t the only time I was told I had cancer. Yes, I’ve survived a lot, but I’m just like anyone else. The strength is within us all. You just have to reach for it. There is light at the end of the tunnel, even when you can’t see it. You just have to keep going, especially when it seems like you have nothing left.
"A vibrant story of a brilliant and industrious woman." — Kirkus Reviews "An inspirational book that drives home the importance of perseverance, love, and the beauty that can come from being differently abled." — Readers' Favorite (5 star) "A tale of perseverance, an inspiration for all. Look back to understand your roots, & look forward to unleash your potential" — Reedsy (5 star) "A compelling narrative that invites readers into a whirlwind of emotions, from joy and pain to exhilaration and determination, all underscored by Meyers' strategic ingenuity." - Library Titan (5 star) From being a little girl in a village in China with polio to a tech executive at Apple, Libo Cao Meyers has had quite a journey in life—a journey steeped in rich family legacy and powered by determination, growth, and love. Over the years and the miles, she’s embraced her differences and has allowed no one—including herself—to set limitations on what she’s able to accomplish. But just because she’s been successful doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Not by a long shot. Along the way, Libo has overcome challenges as an immigrant in a new country, a person with a disability, a mother, and a woman in the male-dominated world of technology. In Limp Forward, Libo boldly shares her story—both the hard and the beautiful—so that you may feel seen, be reminded of your inherent value, and find the strength you need to face your own challenges in life. Every journey is unique, but Libo’s experiences contain insight that connects us all. Limp Forward is a captivating, unbridled exploration of the truths that guide us and shows what is possible when we pursue our full potential.
Meet Vicki. Diagnosed with a rare eye condition aged four, she embarked on a rollercoaster journey of life with a disability. Vis-Ability introduces readers to Vicki in her early years. Following her diagnosis, readers will hear of her heartbreaking decision to have a prosthetic eye fitted at the tender age of thirteen. As her story continues, Vicki faces further problems with her remaining eye, dealing with chronic pain and a rare genetic eye disease. Describing the difficulties she encountered at school and as she entered adulthood, Vis-Ability strives to raise awareness of vision impairment. The book contains advice on how to deal with a visual disability, as well as a variety of options on offer to those who are visually impaired. It is a story of positivity in the face of adversity and making the most of every opportunity. Speaking about her book , Vicki says: "I wrote the book because I feel that in general, there is a misunderstanding of the definition 'vision impairment' and it's my goal to correct this. I feel that it is my purpose in life to raise awareness of vision impairment through telling my story of living with a disability that is invisible to the public eye.. Hertfordshire author Vicki L. Griggs is registered partially sighted. Having been a patient at Moorfields Eye Hospital since she was four years old, she has been working there for seven years as a play leader at The Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre.
A brilliantly honest, funny and insightful account of a Buddhist life, work and family. For Satyadasa the Buddhist path has been fulfilling and often joyous, but also full of doubts and obstacles. What does it mean to be a Buddhist in the West in the twenty-first century? And is being born with one hand a curse – or a blessing?
