Customer Reviews

Alive & Kicking

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This book is an autobiographical account of a former NFL football player who battled IBD and has become a source of inspiration for many. I recommend this book for teens and young adults especially, because it shows that someone can have IBD and still accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves

This book is a must for anyone dealing with either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. I put off buying this book because I have Crohn's disease, but I must tell you it was one of my biggest mistakes. If you, or someone you love, is dealing with IBD get this book. So many of Rolf's feelings and thoughts were the same thing I was thinking when I first had to deal with this disease. Rolf is an inspiration, he proves that you can live your life with these diseases and live it to the fullest.

As a young woman with an ostomy, I was very inspired by the personal account in this book. Rolf showed me that I could go on with my life and go back to a normal exercise pattern. The personal photographs that he shares helped me explain what happened to me to my children. I would recommend this book for anyone who is having a hard time coping with their ostomy. It turned my whole point of view around!

In this inspirational story, the former placekicker for the San Diego Chargers tells of his own journey with IBD and subsequent surgery. His bravery and humanity come through crystal clear although its obvious Rolf is simply trying to help others via his experience and not blow his own horn. Nevertheless, no reader can help but admire the perserverance, both personal and professional, of this fine human being.

Rolf Benirschke is one of my heroes. He was one of the first people to speak publicly about his battle with hepatitis C. "Alive and Kicking" chronicles the author's confrontations with ulcerative colitis, ostomy surgery and eventual hepatitis C diagnosis. Although this book is a memoir, it offers a strong dose of hope for anyone who struggles with one or more chronic diseases.

It's the 1977 NFL Draft. There are only two picks remaining in the entire draft. Whoever the Oakland Raiders do not draft becomes Mr. Irrelevant. The Raiders use their last draft pick on Rolf Benirschke so he wouldn't become Mr. Irrelevant. Though the Raiders cut him, he is quickly signed by the San Diego Chargers. He plays great football for two seasons before he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. During the 1979 season, on a plane ride home from New England, he collapses and is rushed to the hospital where his father, Kurt, is employed. Rolf undergoes two surgeries, the second of which sees him emerge with ostomy appliances. He eventually returns to the football field to kick for the Chargers again, and stays until 1987, when he is traded to the Dallas Cowboys, cut by the Cowboys, and retires as the third most accurate kicker in the NFL. Benirschke then becomes a Kock pouch recipient, a game show host for NBC on "Wheel of Fortune", marries, becomes a father, and contracts hepatitis C.

This is the story of an NFL placekicker-turned game show host-turned advocate for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Great Comebacks program-turned author. It tells about his childhood in Massachusetts to his adolescence in sunny California, and his years at UC Davis studying zoology to the NFL, and his illness to his stint as host of "Wheel of Fortune". Includes two sections of photos.

I bought this for my 34 year old son who had to have his colon removed. He was very depressed before the surgery so I sent him this book. It was very helpful and uplifting for him and he was so grateful to read about the experiences of another man going through all of this. He told me "If he can do it, I can too". I am so grateful that this book was written, because it has made a huge difference in his outlook; when you realize what others go through, sometimes your situation doesn't seem so bad; plus being a man and having that kind of surgery is devastating; but he is doing very well after the surgery, and I feel this book helped him get through it very much. So grateful for this wonderful book!

You won't read a more inspiring story, regardless of whether you have IBD or not. The amazing story of Rolf Benirschke, who fought back from IBD to succeed in both the NFL and his post-football endeavors, is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. As a 14-year survivor of Crohn's disease myself, I can say without equivocation that I would not be here typing this now if not for the inspiration I got from this book. I came to believe that all things are possible if you have the determination and courage to face and overcome your challenges.

As an added bonus, the author showed his kindness and generosity by autographing and returning my copy, which stands as one of my most prized possessions.