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Beyond Dancing: A Veteran's Struggle, a Woman's Triumph

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Beyond Dancing written by-Anita Bloom Ornoff, is a heart rendering book of a young women's struggle with so many obstacles in her life. Her quest to serve the United States during WW 11 is one of passion and courage for a young woman in the 1940's to make a decision when women were not looked upon to have rights to do so...The opportunity to go to OFC is one that Anita looked forward to, but fate takes hold and her life takes a very tragic turn. She endures all kinds of pain and obstacles and finds ways to keep her spirits up, by helping out others in the VA hospital. No matter what she encountered she is able to rise to the occasion with humor and perseverance.This book will tug at your heart strings. Bring tears to your eyes. You will laugh with her and rejoice in all her victories.. It is a well written book, easy to read and you just want to keep going on to the next chapter. I really appreciate Anita's indomitable spirit.

WOW!!! Having my own physical challenges I have had to overcome a few obstacles in life, but reading Anita's story puts it all into perspective. My so called "struggles" were small...no TINY potatoes, comapred to the things she overcame. Her strength and determination warmed my heart.

Her story once again proved a point I've been trying to make all my life, that there is no room for 'dis' infront of 'ability.' We can all be ABLE or disabled, depending on our attitudes.

I urge anyone who needs their spirits lifted, or who themselves might be coping with a 'dis' ABILITY, to read this incredible story.

What a life Anita Bloom Ornoff has lived! She writes with a vivid clarity; her descriptions of all the events that are relevant to her life make you feel that you're right there. Parts of the book will just absolutely make you cry. Beyond Dancing is a wonderfully true story of inspiration, trials, failures, triumphs, courage, family difficulties and romance. Anita definitely has courage, courage, courage, and determination in an equivalent amount. This is one book you'll never forget!

There are pictures in the middle of the book; these sure add alot to the story. I'm glad the decision was made to include them.

The 300+ page book is divided into several chapters; I couldn't put the book down once I began reading it.

Anita Bloom Ornoff had extreme inner strength, massive Honor to herself, her Family and her Country, and Integrity beyond any normal human being. I have no doubt in my mind that to this very day she is still the same! Not only is she a woman that I admire immensely, but because of her, she enabled if not helped to create many of the programs/services that are available to the Paralized Veterans of America of today. Being of woman that was a member of the last class of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) back in Fort McClellan, Alabama under the direction of General Mary Clark I can appreciate if not totally see myself in the position that she was in back at Fort Oglethorpe and further at the barracks at Stephen F. Austin College and still further at the VA Hospital. It was a hard time for women back then to be accepted, so I can share her feelings of anger, confusion and disbelief when it came to why people could not understand that a woman would want to serve her Country. I thank you Ma'am for a wonderful story, a book that was extremely hard to put down and for sharing your heart and soul with me. God Bless You! Charlene Ann Heier

Anita Bloom Ornoff writes of her triumph over her disability, and her struggles to achieve an independent lifestyle. She does so with candor and style.
This lady never gave up and obtained her due, where many would have dispared of ever being successful. Her book is touching, funny, serious and enlightening.
She is to be applauded for her work, her life and the ablility to put onto paper the steps that led to her personal success.

Beginning her story in 1938, shortly after Anita Bloom graduated from high school, this autobiography explains why Hillary Rodham Clinton recently said, "You are clearly a woman of courage."

Courage, fierce independence, strength and an iron-clad will are some of the qualities evidenced throughout Mrs. Bloom Ornoff's story, "Beyond Dancing: A Veteran's Struggle - A Woman's Triumph".

Joining the Women's Auxillary Army Corp, with noble ideals of serving her American country during World War 2, young Anita first met resistance from her Jewish parents, who among many others, thought it not to be a proper pursuit for a lady of that time. In addition to racial ignorance, Anita constantly encountered those misunderstanding her reasons for joining the WAAC.

When she was accepted into the Women's Auxillary Army Corp, at age 21, Anita was already full of dance and hope. Yet with many dreams and goals left to fulfill, fate literally awoke her with a mysteriously begotten, painfully stinging thumb during the WAAC's stationed time in Nacagdoches, TX.

Instead of adequate medical care from a doctor or nurse, Ms. Bloom was treated in a cruel manner by a sargent who incised her thumb with a razor blade while giving her instructions to soak it in boiling water and Epsom salts, being shown indifference when later seeing the military doctor as well.

Penicillin, not being discovered until 1943, Anita's infection gained strength and she was not admitted to the hospital until six weeks after the advent of her first symptoms. By that time she was paralyzed from the waist down.

Only in refusing to release her dream of an army career, barely missing the graduation to Officer's Training School, did Anita refuse to sign the honorable discharge papers presented to her. Regardless, Ms. Bloom was discharged, and worse, due to a technicality - the WAAC not yet officially a part of the regular army - she was not recognized as a bona fide veteran, therefore not entitled to the disability benefits she needed.

Mrs. Bloom Ornoff diligently fought the battle to become recognized as a veteran for 11 years - just as she became a veteran and winner of all other battles fought in her life, whether physical or otherwise - with courage, patience and determination.

In the last paragraph of her book, in the Epilogue, Mrs. Bloom Ornoff writes, "I hope that my life and the challenges that I have faced will inspire others, especially young men and women, to overcome adversity and go forward in life with a positive attitude to conquer any misfortune." Yes, I have truly been inspired by this story which is interesting and so intelligently written.

"Beyond Dancing" Written by : Anita Bloom Ornoff is an outstanding book and one that will amaze the reader and keep ones interest from cover to cover. It is amazing that she not only survived but was able to remember and document all of her experiences connected with this great story.

This story begins in 1943, less than a year since the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) had been formed when one day, an elegant-looking woman in WAAC uniform entered the store where Anita was working. She caught Anita's attention immediately. Her extremely neat appearance and the way she presented herself was inspiring and peaked Anita's interest to join the WAAC.

When Anita joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps she had no idea what was ahead of her. Her goal was to join the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and serve her country but within a few months after she joined her fight to survive began due to medical problems that she was having. She not only had to fight to survive her medical problems she also had to fight to be acknowledged as a disabled veteran in order to receive the benefits that she deserved. This was a long process which the author has turned into a very inspirational story.

Anita Bloom's survival was not an easy task for her, nor was getting her military benefits an easy task. She states in the last paragraph in her book : "I hope that my life and the challenges that I have faced will inspire others, especially young men and women, to overcome adversity and go forward in life with a positive attitude to conquer any misfortune." Thank you Anita Bloom Ornoff I enjoyed this book very much and want to highly recommend it as an excellent choice for anyone wanting to read an outstanding book.

I have just finished your book, "Beyond Dancing" A Veteran's Struggle-A Woman's Triumph. Your struggle to achieve independence left me profoundly moved. The book carries the reader along, never flagging, dealing with a multitude of problems that would have left many in hopeless despair. I was charmed by your lack of self-pity and strong desire to "overcome". The book is very well written, and impossible to put down. I hope "Beyond Dancing" will be read by readers in every walk of life.

Beyond Dancing is a great story. One that needs a broad circulation. I'd love to see it on film. Anita is a strong, feisty woman who is also a danged good writer. I highly recommend this book, especially to women, girls and all veterans. You won't regret getting this one.

While you're here, have a look at Fixin' Things: A Novel of Women at Gettysburg

I found this book to be important showing how an individual can overcome adversity and through persistence and intelligence deal with the 'red tape' of government bureaucracy. The reader is touched by her plight as she struggles to overcome wrongly inflicted treatment by a military that adheres to rules and regulations with total insensitivity to individual needs. Their concern is only protecting those involved. The relevancy of her situation is played out today with the ill treatment of our veterans. The author shows how one can find love and understanding with major handicaps and make a powerful contribution to society and the betterment of others. I strongly recommend reading this book.