Defiant: A Broken Body Is Not a Broken Person

 An Exhilarating True Story of Unstoppable Perseverance on the Journey to Healing     “As I looked back over the landscape of my life, and the many setbacks I had endured, I saw that every loss also offered a gift, even if I didn’t recognize it at the time. Whenever I was called upon to loosen my grip on some cherished part of my life, I was consequently given the opportunity to start again, to create anew something of value . . . every ending carried the seeds of possibility, a chance to start over.” —Janine Shepherd  Defiant chronicles the remarkable life of Janine Shepherd, an elite ski racer whose bid to represent Australia in the Olympics was cut short by a tragic accident. She recalls the ten days she hovered between life and death, faced with the difficult choice to let go or return to a body that would never be whole again. After six months in the hospital battling to rehabilitate her permanent disabilities, she not only taught herself to walk again, she earned her wings as both pilot and aerobatics instructor. Happily married and raising three children, her life was again upended when she was forced to face a painful divorce, the loss of her home, and financial ruin. Undaunted, Janine persevered in managing her again-reinvented life as a single mom, as well as celebrated author and international speaker. Janine Shepherd shares, with candor and compassion, the practical lessons she has learned throughout her continuing journey. Unabridged and read by the author, Defiant offers hope and encouragement for anyone facing a life challenge, bringing hard-won wisdom and priceless advice for navigating one’s way from loss to healing.    Janine Shepherd is a renowned inspirational speaker and writer whose books have become classics in the survivor genre. She is an ambassador of SpinalCure Australia and Red Bull’s “Wings for Life.” Janine’s TEDx talk has been viewed by millions worldwide. For more, visit janineshepherd.com.   “Unexpected tragedy brings the author face to face with death and the destruction of the only future she ever dreamed of. From there, we join her in a great adventure and an unforgettable spiritual ride that inspires and amazes.” —Harriet Lerner, PhD, author of The Dance of Anger.