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Thank My Lucky Scars (2006)

by Ward Foley(Favorite Author)

4.79 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0978900804 (ISBN13: 9780978900809)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

ForWard Publishing

review 1: A Truly Inspirational Book, Even to a Professional SkepticIn one of the many delightful scenes in Ward Foley’s Thank My Lucky Scars, his 89-year-old hospice client asks him where they took her mother and whether she’ll be coming back. Rather than pointing out the improbability of the situation, Foley replies, “If she was here earlier, I’m sure she will be back.” Mr. Foley was born with multiple physical deformities and had to undergo countless painful surgeries and rehabilitation. Everything was physically difficult for him, and he experienced considerable taunting as a kid. Through his faith, which he discusses quite honestly and openly, he was able to get through those difficulties and find his calling as a hospice worker, where he learned the art of “bei... moreng there” and listening. I was brought up without religion, but there is a certain type of Christian I always get along with—the ones who practice what they preach and love unconditionally rather than point their finger at others. Foley is that type of Christian. He not only finds the good in everything, but also finds God in everything. In his world, significant numbers pop up out of the blue, benign ghosts answer the telephone, and smiley faces appear all over—including on a balloon that appears to have a mind of its own. Angels and other signs crop up throughout the book at crucial times, and many “accident” and “coincidence” turn out to be fortuitous. But what I especially love about Foley’s world is that the God he depicts is not only loving, but also quite playful. Having read Thank My Lucky Scars, I realize why it has such a following.
review 2: This type of book is a hard sell for someone like me; being gimpy myself. I feel sometimes that able bodied people see/hear/read a story of someone with a disability and empathy floods the common sense pathways in their brain...so words like 'inspirational' have become four lettered words to me. This is the preface to my review because I think my thoughts need to be put into the right context.Details of Ward's life growing up hit surprisingly close to home, despite our differences in our condition (physical and sociological); the self-image discrepancies as well as the winning a trip to Disneyland (weird). These and other relatable parts are what engaged me the most. I loved comparing Ward's personal paradigm with my own. It became an introspective experience for me.Ward mentions many times how he is not a good writer, but that doesn’t show here. He did a great job of telling not only his story but so many others’ with respect and finesse. Maybe because Ward doesn’t consider himself a ‘writer’ he didn’t fall down the slippery slope of being melodramatic. The book is very straight forward and let’s it’s readers be smart enough not to have to be told what to feel. less

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