The story author Heather C. Markham shares of her life is a compilation of raw tragedy and gritty, bold, confident, and brave determination. Because of her debilitating disease she’s hit rock bottom time and again, but despite the setbacks, Heather never gives up. I’ve read plenty of uplifting books where physical, mental, and emotional setbacks continue to pummel the author until they hit that wall—that moment when they can’t get any lower. At that monumental point, they dig deep and change their entire outlook and lives for the better.

While this is certainly true in Heather Markham’s case, she has a slightly different trajectory documented in her story.

She takes each setback and finds a path through or around, effectively championing change and defying the odds. She’s incredibly smart, educated, and informed, and yes, while she shares her emotional lows very honestly, she doesn’t let this disease define her. Heather pushes through to living independently, finding love and marriage, succeeding in a high-level security engineering career, and on to winning pageants, photography awards, and competing as a golfer and para surfer. Much of this occurring during the lengthy journey to diagnosis.

This autobiographical memoir is written to honor those who’ve helped and inspired her along the way.

In her words it’s also a “courageous call for more empathy from medical professionals, care attendants, the travel industry and anyone who knows someone with a disability.” But I would like to add to this, it’s a call to action for all of us. Heather never let go of her dreams and when one door closed she either found an open one or rolled right through. This tenacity and belief in her ability to fulfill her life’s purpose serves as an inspiration to us all.

Source and Image: Courtesy of PR by the Book