Walking Papers: The Accident that Changed My Life, and the Business that Got Me Back on My Feet [Hardcover]

Francesco Clark (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 1, 2010

Walking Papers is the incredibly inspiring story of a young man who wouldn't give up. Francesco Clark was a twenty-four-year-old with a bright future when he went to Long Island for the weekend--but a nocturnal dive into the pool's shallow end changed everything, forever. Paralyzed from the neck down, Francesco was told by his doctors that he would never move from his bed or even breathe without assistance. But Francesco fought back. Within days, he was breathing on his own. His father, a doctor himself, investigated every opportunity for experimental treatment, and Francesco used every resource available to speed his recovery. To avoid having his lungs painfully suctioned, he sang, loudly, for hours--and that was just the beginning.

Francesco moved back home with his parents and began the long process toward recovery. Many doctors discourage patients with spinal cord injury from pursuing physical therapy beyond very basic movements, but Francesco embarked on a five-hour daily regimen, including the treadmill program that Christopher Reeve had made famous. Soon he astounded the medical establishment with his progress.

Francesco's accident also left him unable to sweat out toxins, leaving his complexion poor. He and his father began to experiment, and the Clark's Botanicals skin-care line was born. Now CB products are sold worldwide in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, and the company has won many major fashion awards and is enjoyed by a host of celebrities. The lessons Francesco learned about persistence from his recovery process, and the loving support of his amazing family, have both contributed to his incredible business success.

Seven years after the accident, Francesco continues to improve and to surprise his doctors--for instance, he can now work on a computer. Walking Papers is the inspiring story of how, with individual determination and unconditional family support, Francesco Clark overcame extreme adversity and achieved an extraordinary triumph. Praise for Walking Papers by Francesco Clark

"Walking Papers so beautifully illuminates the tenacity of the human spirit and the desire to choose hope in the face of overwhelming odds. Francesco's fresh, engrossing book proves that a disability or diagnosis is not a death sentence, but a life sentence. His journey so aptly illustrates that there is life after devastation and trauma. I found myself cheering him from every page."
--Lee Woodruff, coauthor, In an Instant

"Francesco Clark's personal journey is an inspiration to everyone. His triumph and achievements over adversity reflect the determination and faith of the human spirit."
--John Demsey, president, Este Lauder

"I read Francesco Clark's Walking Papers when I should have been working, and was immediately swept into his story of crisis and hope. His doctors, his nurses, friends, and family all try to protect him from false hope. But Francesco's will is irrepressible and potent. His story is the triumph of optimism in the face of daunting, heartbreaking hopelessness."
--Linda Wells, editor in chief, Allure

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Walking Papers is moving, funny, and inspiring---a gift to any person dealing with a chronic illness or condition." ---Michael J. Fox, author of Always Looking Up

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Francesco and his skin care company, Clark's Botanicals, have been featured twice in the New York Times, as well as in Harper's Bazaar, W, the New York Times Magazine, Self, Fitness, WWD, People, Instyle, Town and Country, New York Magazine, LA Confidential, and Hamptons Magazine. He has extensive connections in the media and fashion world. His company has won the Rising Star Award from Fashion Group International; Best of Beauty Award from Allure; Fitness Magazine Beauty Award; and Self Magazine Healthy Beauty Award.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140132343X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401323431
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #871,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

FRANCESCO CLARK is the founder of Clark's Botanicals, which has been featured in the New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and many other publications. His company has won the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award, Allure's Best of Beauty Award (two years in a row), Fitness's Beauty Award, Self's Healthy Beauty Award, Cosmetic Executive Women's Indie Brand of the Year 2008, as well as Wallpaper's design award. He was featured in the PBS special, This Emotional Life. An ambassador for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, he lives in Bronxville, New York.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A brave, beautiful work June 2, 2010

By Suzan Colon

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the most inspiring books I've ever read, written by one of the most inspiring people I know. In Walking Papers, my friend Francesco Clark tells the story of how he endured an accident that left him paralyzed. While he had to accept the reality that something as simple as picking up a glass of water was now quite literally out of his reach, he refused to accept the limitations of his situation. "What am I supposed to do," he asked me one day, "Just sit here?"

He didn't. After going through years of sometimes arduous physical therapy, Francesco started his own business, Clark's Botanicals, a skin care line/empire that he runs out of his room. We talked one day about him writing a book; boom, here's the book. Francesco was told he would never move again, but all he's done since the accident is move forward.

It's not only to the benefit of other people living with spinal cord injuries (Fran is also the spokesperson for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation) that he's both incredibly optimistic and really stubborn. As he writes, "You don' t need to experience near death to live life to its unlimited potential." This book serves as a brave and beautiful reminder of that.
Suzan Colón
Author of Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times (Vintage)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Inspiring June 12, 2010

By Laura M.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book. I read it cover-to-cover the day I got it. I just couldn't put it down. It's a very inspiring true story of someone who turned a tragic incident into something amazing. It really made me think about my own life and ensuring that I'm making the most of every day.

It was an easy read, as the story flowed quite well and was engaging. I was sorry when it ended, as I'd love to know how Francesco Clark will move forward from this point. I hope that he writes a sequel book or at least updates us.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good reminder that you can... whatever it is, you can July 17, 2010

By Jana Eggers

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Francesco Clark does fantastic job detailing his journey from young professional to quadriplegic to entrepreneur. He covers the ups and downs, the fear and joy of his years fighting back for a life. I could not put the book down, because I wanted to know the next stage. His writing style brings you along on the journey with him.

My favorite part of this book is the constant goal setting Francesco does. At each stage and with goals that even to him at times felt small, he continued. He did not stop, and while he had support, no one was dragging him along. He was setting his coursed and often dragging others with him to support his journey.

The one negative review of this book has a point in that Francesco had wonderful support, which many people facing this don't. This does not take away from what Francesco achieved, and Francesco gives his parents, siblings and friends all the credit in the world. That reviewer misses the point of the book. With or without financial resources, the determination to believe that things can improve is what put Francesco where he was. I am sure that most of the people Francesco met on his journey had less resources than him, and were fighting as he was to get to a better place. Hooray for Francesco's success, which will inspire many more to follow. Do not accept what is given to you. Work to change it, even when it seems hopeless.

Bravo, Francesco!