Genesis, A Portrait of a Spinal Cord Injury [Hardcover]

Stephen Thompson (Author), Stephen Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001

Not long after Indiana University had won the NCAA championship in 1981, a young man of twenty was hurriedly riding his bicycle in order to make it on time for a tennis tournament. He had plans for returning to the game after having been sidetracked with the 'college life.' Although he expected to attend graduate school, he was hoping to play professional tennis one day. He never made it to that tournament. A head-on collision with an automobile had crushed his dreams and also his neck, resulting in a cervical spinal cord injury. As he lay in the intensive care unit unable to move, he listened to music on his Walkman to distract him from his terrible predicament. His favorite tape, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis, seemed to help keep his attitude positive and hopeful. The following months are torturous and frustrating and he prays for a miracle; near-death experiences that seem too mysterious to comprehend show him that there is life beyond human existence. Then, after finally making it to the rehabilitation unit, he meets other young men in similar situations and they all struggle together to increase their functional abilities. In this rare and candid memoir, Stephen Thompson shares his many tribulations as he experiences new beginnings, both physical and spiritual, and strives for the ultimate goal of any spinal cord injury victim: to walk again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While in an ICU, in rehab and in recovery at his parents' home after an accident left him partially paralyzed with a spinal cord injury, Stephen Thompson often asked himself, "Why did this have to happen to me?" But at the same time, he concluded, "Why not me?" Having survived "fears, anxieties, lack of choices, and humility of dependence," Thompson recounts his experiences with both excellent and incompetent health care professionals, regaining various capabilities (like eating and walking), flirting with nurses, befriending other patients, interacting with his family and old friends and, most of all, his alternating despair, depression, triumph and acceptance. Chatty, honest and inspiring, Genesis: A Portrait of a Spinal Cord Injury will be welcomed by survivors of serious injury and their loved ones. Photos.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Thompson was a college student in 1981 when a car crashed into him on his bicycle, injuring his spinal cord. He spent seven months in the hospital. He nearly lost his life when appendicitis struck him but wasn't recognized until the appendix ruptured, and again when a nurse gave him the wrong medicine, resulting in a Code Blue situation. In addition, a cardiac arrest put him in grave danger. On the other hand, many nurses and doctors genuinely cared about him; his family and friends visited regularly and gave him substantial psychological support; and his roommate, Mike, served as mentor and motivator. Details of his recovery include the placing of a protective "halo" on his skull, psychological lows that he often fought with Bible readings, and the slow, tedious work of rehabilitation. This highly personal book could be quite helpful to others in similar predicaments and to their families. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sunstone Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865343187
• ISBN-13: 978-0865343184
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,785,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Bye Friend, December 31, 2009

By 

Defender - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genesis: A Portrait of Spinal Cord Injury (Paperback)

Steve's book was one of his many accomplishments after the sccident. What always amazed and inspired me was his ability to remain positive in spite of the limitations caused by his injury . Steve died yesterday (12-30-09) and will be missed but not forgotten. God bless you Steve.