How much does life change when you’re confronted with how very fragile it can be? When Amy Luscher Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer, she wondered how she would make time and space in her busy life to battle cancer. She wondered how her relationships would change after the word “cancer” was whispered behind so many closed doors. And in the aftermath of treatment and personal transformation, Amy is doing what few cancer survivors do -- inviting readers to bear witness to her experiences. She’s inviting you to see the details of her daily life as she adapted to surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, recovery, and, ultimately, her new identity as a cancer survivor. Amy was raised Baptist with a strong faith in God, and her everyday life was a life in which prayer, faith, and trust in God had never failed her. More than a cancer memoir, My Faith Sparkles is Amy’s story about her struggle to keep faith when God seemed conspicuously distant. Her faith always sparkles, but there were days when she struggled to cling to the kind of hope that can’t be found in this world alone. Amy shares a two-year path of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, including her reflection on: •The diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer •Lumpectomy versus mastectomy •Talking to her children about cancer •Overcoming the fear of death •Using breast cancer statistics and research •Managing cancer treatment •Chemotherapy side effects and port placement •Radiation therapy and side effects •Living with cancer and accepting cancer support •Remission •Becoming a cancer survivor. Encouragement in a Dark World In her conversational, revealing, and often humorous style, Amy shares what her diagnosis and treatment were really like; what she struggled with along the way; and, finally, where she found encouragement through her faith, which made all the difference. Whether cancer is part of your own life or if you want to encourage and support someone who is receiving diagnosis, treatment or finding their “new normal” as a survivor, this book offers a clear message: “You are not alone.” After reading My Faith Sparkles, you may just decide that the best way to find encouragement is to provide it for others. A powerful book for: •Newly diagnosed cancer patients •Family members of cancer patients •Cancer care professionals and oncology support providers •Supporters of cancer survivors •Cancer support group leaders •Anyone directing a ministry of encouragement. When cancer happens, knowledge, support and hope are the best medicine. If you’re looking for a friend to walk alongside you (or someone you love) on this challenging journey, My Faith Sparkles is the book you’ll want on your nightstand for those late-night moments of doubt. Join Amy and choose hope in the face of cancer. Let your faith sparkle.

My Faith Sparkles: Memoir of a Cancer Survivor

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Smith PhD, Amy Luscher

Diseases & Physical Ailments

Silver Linings Media

With the backdrop of the Vietnam conflict, A Dove Among Eagles is a powerful memoir about trauma, courage, devotion and love at a time when American society was tearing itself apart and blaming a military that was more victim than perpetrator of the violent forces wracking the nation. Indeed, Vietnam changed us all -- especially Linda Patterson.A story 52 years in the making, A Dove Among Eagles is set in San Mateo, California, in 1968, the author then 26 years old, herself coming out of a traumatic series of events when she receives a letter from her 18-year-old brother Joe a cry for help from a paratrooper caught in the middle of an unpopular war. News of the antiwar protests are plummeting the morale of Joe's combat company of 130 paratroopers. In desperation, he turns to her to find a way to let these young, courageous soldiers know that they've not been rejected by the country they love.Specifically, Joe asked Linda to enlist the city of San Mateo to "adopt" the 130 paratroopers of his combat company. On March 4, 1968, after Linda's dogged persistence, the city of San Mateo formally adopted A Co. of the 327th Airborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. San Mateo was the only city in the nation to do such a thing during the Vietnam War.Three weeks later, SGT Artavia was killed in a firefight. Grief-stricken and distraught by the loss of her brother, Linda garnered her strength and passion to carry on with Joe's last wishes. For the past 50 years, Linda's passion in life has been a tribute to her brother, as she has enlisted more than 300 cities across the country in supporting and adopting tens of thousands of service men and women in all branches of our military. To be sure, Linda's remarkable and meaningful life journey is unique in American history. For her life's work, she has been recognized and honored by the highest levels of our country. Those original men of the 1968 unit simply call her "Sis."

A Dove Among Eagles: How the Sister of One Paratrooper Changed the Lives of Tens of Thousands in Vietnam and Beyond

Biographies & Memoirs

Patterson, Linda

Historical

Sarah Hellmann understands what it is to be human ... to be simultaneously broken and beautiful, suffering and insightful, full of hope and seeking silver linings. She knows that fragile people sometimes put up tough exteriors and that we are surrounded by men and women who feel "let down" by the world. Her book is for all of us.Everyday People, Extraordinary LessonsBroken-Down Jalopies and Other Short Stories is a collection of first-person narratives from a woman who has lived a life unlike any other. Sarah Hellmann is the definition of an "in the emotional trenches" leader and human advocate. She's served as a jail chaplain and a champion for people coping with or recovering from addiction, mental illness, sex trafficking, homelessness, and incarceration.Open this book and join Sarah for an introspective look at the many things that unite us as a human race -- the shared feelings and experiences and basic needs that far outnumber the things that divide or differentiate us. With complete candor, Sarah shares her journey with mental illness, addiction, and the transformative power of guiding others through their struggles. Join her on a car ride home from prison, find freedom through forgiveness, explore hope as a divine virtue, and learn to celebrate your own genius. Discover generosity of spirit through a shared bag of Funyuns and learn her father's four simple rules to live by. And, in the end, gain an understanding of how perspective can lead you to a happier and more peaceful life.Life throws us curve balls. We make epic mistakes. We live behind masks and we suffer in silence. We fall down and we get back up again ... and fall down once more. It is that belief that we are not defined by our past decisions or our victimization -- that we are worthy and lovable and capable of courage and greatness -- that makes getting back up again not only possible but inevitable.

Broken-Down Jalopies and Other Short Stories: Perspective Changes Everything

Self-Help

Hellmann, Sarah

Motivational

SPECIAL PRICING: Introductory pricing of $15.95 for pre-ordered books! Retail price of $19.95 becomes effective March 9th. There is nothing easy about raising a child, especially a sensational one. If you're seeking a handbook on how to support a child with special needs -- especially a child impacted by sensory processing disorder (SPD) or other nervous-system dysfunctions -- look no further. This memoir is a one-stop-shop of insights, and a survival guide for parents and caregivers. Filled with tried-and-true prevention and treatment strategies for SPD, Sensational Kids, Sensational Families is a valuable resource for all special-needs families, including those who cope with or suspect SPD, autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome and ADD/ADHD. Are you: -- A parent desperately wanting to understand why your child is distracted or struggling? -- An educator yearning to nurture ALL your students academically, behaviorally or socially? -- A medical professional seeking to build upon your current knowledge to help families who are looking for guidance? Meet the Scott family. Open Rebecca Duvall Scott's brilliantly crafted book to discover a unique opportunity -- an invitation to join her family on their SPD journey. Meet Jacob, whose SPD diagnosis prompted Rebecca and her husband, Eric, to quickly assemble a team of professionals and support members to help them navigate the unknown of Jacob's sensory differences. As Rebecca rallied others to fight for her son, she became an expert on several interventions that worked for them, including an allergy-free diet, the Wilbarger Protocol, biomedical interventions, interactive listening therapies and Astronaut Training. She credits her son's triumphs to a collaborative treatment approach and positive mindset shifts that saved her son's self-esteem ... and relationships throughout the family. Insights from Occupational Therapist Hannah Ragan As if a mother's perspective isn't enough, this one-of-a-kind book includes perspectives from Hannah Ragan MS, OTR/L, the occupational therapist who supported Jacob through his SPD journey. Mrs. Hannah (as Jacob calls her) helped the Scott family reframe how they saw Jacob's diagnosis through occupational therapy and empowered them with hope. "It's like putting together a puzzle. It looks neat in the box, but to see the cohesive picture you have to dump out all the pieces, sort and organize them, and then put them together. When you first dump them out, it's overwhelming chaos. But, as it comes back together, you can see the picture emerge and when it's finished, it is marvelous." Proven Interventions The Scott family's success story will inspire and empower parents, educators, therapists and doctors to leave no stone unturned in the quest to maximize the strengths and minimize the challenges faced by those with special needs. Rebecca shares candid details about the intervention strategies that helped her son learn how to self-regulate, become more mindful and manage his sensory needs appropriately. From food adjustments to visual aids ... environmental adaptations to medications ... this book provides both preventative and reactive considerations to help improve the quality of life for a person diagnosed with SPD. A must read for: -Parents, relatives, spouses, caretakers and friends of a sensational someone -Therapists, teachers, psychologists and professionals with sensational clients and students -Doctors, nurses and medical professionals with sensational patients -Those who personally have been diagnosed with SPD The most important message in this remarkable book? You are not alone. And hope is never lost.

Sensational Kids, Sensational Families: Hope for Sensory Processing Differences

Parenting & Relationships

Scott, Rebecca Duvall

Disabilities & Hyperactivity

When Skyler was three years old, he was diagnosed with severe, non-verbal autism. When he was 17, his mom wrote a book about his amazing life.From page one, Welcome to My Life delivers on its promise to place you squarely in Skyler's life, surrounded by mom and dad, Laurie and Josh, and superstar sister, Kendall. Detailed sensory descriptions take you to doctors' appointments and trick-or-treating, to Qdoba and the kitchen table, to the bathroom for another "pull-ups" change, to family gatherings, to the Autism Center, and to conversations and internal dialogue so honest that you'll feel like you're part of the family too.Welcome to My Life shares the 14-year journey of a true warrior mom advocating for her non-verbal, severely autistic son from diagnosis through his teenage years. This brutally honest and heartwarming account details the daily struggles and often lack of social understanding that families face when raising a child who relies on parental assistance for every need."A memoir like no other -- truthful and raw, hilarious and unexpected, heartbreaking and uplifting. Laurie L. Hellmann's Welcome to My Life is a love letter to her son Skyler and a welcome letter to the masses. It is dose of reassurance to us all, and a reminder that the world -- even when it's unpredictable and frightening -- is still shimmering with silver linings and powerful lessons."For mothers and fathers, sister and brothers, autism isn't a personal diagnosis ... it's a family diagnosis. Especially when your autistic loved one copes with significant development delays, suffers from serious chronic medical conditions, is an insomniac, and exhibits behaviors that disrupt the flow of day-to-day life. Autism turns households inside out, cracks hearts wide open and turns daily routines upside down.

Welcome to My Life: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism

Hellmann, Laurie L.

Community & Culture

From children's book author Danielle Saintard Valiente -- whose Smunchkin Learns book series has empowered children to embrace the power of bravery, friendship and loyalty -- comes a heartbreakingly raw memoir about growing up without the innocence and comforts of a storybook childhood. 180 Degrees: Emerging from Childhood Darkness is Danielle's debut book for the adult market and has been heralded as "raw, courageous and authentic."It's an unforgettable story about a young woman who fought her way out of a terrifying and abusive childhood, emerging from emotional darkness into the light of a life that finally offered safety and possibility. Open the pages of this book to discover how a teenager -- with nothing but perseverance and hope -- left her toxic family, walked through the fires of homelessness and financial struggle, confronted her deep-rooted emotional demons, and began to build -- for the very first time -- a clear sense of purpose that goes beyond mere survival.A Rare Glimpse Inside the Horror Story That Preceded the "Success Story"If you were to meet Danielle Saintard Valiente today, you'd think she has it all: a thriving interior design business, a beautiful home, a devoted and loving husband, dear friends, meaningful hobbies and passions, the appearance of perfect health and happiness. Her adult life is a 180-degree turn from her childhood life. There were cruel words and traumas that, in reading about them, will haunt you -- interactions and epiphanies that will make you rethink your own definitions of family, love, security, strength, resilience, hope and grit.Travel with Danielle back to the unrelenting physical abuse, the incessant cruelty and neglect, the fear, pain, terror, loss and shame of a childhood that no child should endure. Witness her undying optimism and big heart, even from the youngest age, which gave her hope of a better future. Experience with her the secrets she kept, the friendships she forged, and the coping mechanisms that would later backfire.

180 Degrees: Emerging from Childhood Darkness

Saintard Valiente, Danielle

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