Thank My Lucky Scars

Now I have to confess to the world how ashamed and embarrassed I am. I started reading, Thank My Lucky Scars, after I had met the author, Ward Foley on the Goodreads website. I read several of the reviews other people had posted there and thought. Hey, I'm also a good guy and I probably had it as bad as he did. I came down with polio when I was 4. I was paralyzed and lost both the ability to walk and talk for several years. I was in an iron lung for over six months and at one point a doctor entered the waiting room and told my mother that I had died. A few minutes later a nurse came from my room and spoke to the doctor saying I still had a pulse. I thought that I had a long hard life learning to walk and talk again, but I never had to go through all the pain, suffering, and humiliation that Ward Foley had to endure. Nor, did I give of myself as he has for so long now to comfort others. I had wanted to write, to comfort others less fortunate than he, but in Ward's case, you just can't do that. His book is, (and I know this statement is over used so much,) truly inspirational. Yet, in this occurrence, that is the only word I can use. Pick up, Thank My Lucky Scars; it will inspire you about life, faith, and the true meaning of helping others in their time of need. I recommend very few books, but I am recommending this one. You will not be disappointed. A very fast read.

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.

A fabulously inspiration book that should be on the top of everyone's list. Mr. Foley's book brings to light that struggles that he has gone through and the amazing strength of his mind and faith.

I loved this book! Ward Foley is my hero and an excellent role model for kids of all ages. Anyone who feels sorry for themselves should read this book. I was inspired by every word in his book about his life. Ward's struggles and battles began the day he was born with birth defects. His numerous surgeries is more than most people could handle, but it never stopped him from living a normal life and doing the things he wanted to do with more difficulties than you could imagine. His faith in God and his mission to help others when so many odds were against him proved to me that he saw the good in everything and everyone around him, as we all should. I cannot say enough about this book and the man who wrote it. Everyone should read this book!

Ward Foley is disabled. He struggles with daily activites such as brushing his teeth. There are so many things that he will never be able to do because he simply CANNOT. He must tolerate ridicule and insensitivity from the general public concerning his deformities. Thank My Lucky Scars isn't about any of the above. This book is about all the things Foley can and has done with his life. He challenges himself beyond his physical limitations. He keeps a positive attitude about life and about himself. One of the most important lessons from this book is about self-acceptance. Foley ponders the meaning of life and his life in particular. Foley describes facing more near-death experiences than should be cosmically possible. He strenghtens himself through faith and love and family. He chooses to use his life to help others through friendships, motivational speeches, and volunteering with hospice. His testimony is miraculous and inspiring. This book has a profound message. Ward Foley is a great role model for us all. He makes me want to do more with my own life. Thank you, Ward.