Perfectly Flawed: Living with Genetic Illness [Paperback]

Molvia Maddox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

This is an extraordinary and moving account of a family coping with Friedreich's Ataxia, a debilitating genetic illness. It describes how Krystie and her family coped with the diagnosis, the intensive medical treatment that followed and her battle to receive mainstream education. Krystie's bravery and zest for life is an inspiration to us all, but especially to those facing a diagnosis of genetic illness. "My future's full of uncertainty. Sometimes I worry that because of my illness, I won't be able to do much for myself later on in life; that all my days of fun have been and gone. But I realise that actually that isn't true. There's always another happy day just around the corner. Life is for the living, and I refuse to sit back and allow everyone else to move on without me. . But I do know one thing, whatever happens, I won't waste a second of my life, not ever!" Krystie Maddox-Lue, 2006

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Impress Books Ltd (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0954758684
• ISBN-13: 978-0954758684
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,801,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, October 3, 2007

By 

Lance Mitchell (Hampshire, UK, Northern Hemisphere, Planet Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfectly Flawed: Living with Genetic Illness (Paperback)

This is the astonishing personal account of the courage, determination and perseverance of the author as she battles her way through a life that has more than its fair share of obstacles. The main subject of the book is the plight of her daughter, Krystie, who has been diagnosed with Friedrich's Ataxia, a crippling and life-shortening genetic illness. However, from childhood, Molvia has suffered occasional family tragedy and near-tragedy.

When Krystie is born, Molvia's instinct and previous experience tell her that there is something amiss. The medical experts think that they know better, but they are proved to be wrong. As Krystie grows up, this is a pattern which is often repeated. Molvia researches all the possibilities and analyses the best path for her daughter.

Krystie becomes as determined as her mother. She insists on as much independence as possible and succeeds at home, socially and at school in the face of adversity. Her awareness of her condition strengthens her resolve to milk every drop of positive experience out of her life. She has probably already achieved more in her life than people who are three or four times her age.

Whilst reading this book, I was reduced to tears on more than one occasion. These were not tears of sadness but of joy as I shared Molvia's pride in Krystie's achievements.

Molvia's account is interspersed with Krystie's own versions of events and is nicely rounded off with the recollections of one of Krystie's elder brothers.

There are some tiny discrepancies in the chronology of the account, but this just proves what the reader already knows; that Molvia is human.

You must read this book. Whether you are living with genetic illness in your family or not, you will be inspired and filled with great hope.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspiring book., January 2, 2007

By 

MiMi (Isle of Man) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfectly Flawed: Living with Genetic Illness (Paperback)

A truly inspiring and uplifting book to read, which shows how the determination of Krystie's amazing spirit endeavours to make the most of her life despite her illness. It has been fascinating reading this book, which has in fact touched on many issues in life. Reading this book helps you to see the bigger picture. Too often we get bogged down with life's petty irritations that are truly insignificant in the bigger scheme of things. This book can teach us a lot about making the most of life.