[StillFingers]

I am a voracious reader...now.

But, at 4yrs old in late 61', I had little ability to read or write, was talking okay, but very frustrated! My little sister at 2yrs was starting to read...what was wrong with me? My mom and dad bought us phonetics books/records (45rpm), 2 complete sets of encyclopedias, nothing seemed to work for me...the problem, Dyslexia.

My dad, back from a 6 month cruise, sat down with me, wrote a few simple words, spoke each, then pointed to them...dog, cat, car and tree...I looked at each, remember thinking okay, then wrote every letter backwards...no that's not right! (then he said calmly)...its okay son, we'll try again tomorrow. After many long hours/days/months of struggle (and paper) I learned to see differently!

One day while mom was making dinner, I sat down at the table and everything clicked! I started reading...she knocked on the wall to signal my dad it was time for dinner...he washed up, came to the kitchen (I imagine looked at my mom and smiled) he said...what are you reading son?!? I did not look up at them, just stopped for a moment and said "Charlie Brown!"

I still have that first book, still have dyslexia and now 30 years after SCI...I'm still learning to see differently!

1st: "Very Funny Charlie Brown"

2nd/3rd: "Kama Sutra" and "The Sensual Wheeler"
- Both, along with two wonderful women, helped me explore my inhibitions...I feel, listen, love and see differently!

4th: "Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth!"
- This book helped me see the inner strength we human beings have and the difference we can peacefully make in this crazy world! It also reaffirmed what my father told me during my first days of SCI...NEVER SURRENDER!

5th: "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior"
- Thirteen years after SCI, a success at work, but still struggling with "Who am I?" My better half took me to the "Bodhi Tree Bookstore" on our 1st date. This wonderful place is filled with treasures from every religion, old/new age thinkers and many writings on faith. truth and spirituality! This book, as with the one above, helped me find a new way to feel about myself, my place/purpose in this world and helped me find a new path to seeing differently!

There are more, these are my top five!

[russ1]

Just have one that fits the bill, was sent to me about a month after my injury while I was still in the early stages of rehab by a guy who'd I'd never met except on an online forum for mountain bikers who'd heard about my accident (on a mountain bike) and sent me his treasured hardback copy with a note saying it was his favorite book and that I might like it and even enclosed a stamped envelope with the request that I send it back. On top of being very touched at this act of thoughtfulness from an (almost) complete stranger the book itself is amazing and got me through a very difficult time when I was at probably my lowest ebb. Joe has a running theme that gets him out of a quite unimaginably difficult situation by just concentrating on literally the next step and not being daunted by the big picture which helped me through rehab - Amazing story by an amazing bloke.

Was lucky enough to go to the world premiere of the film of the book in London while in the later stages of rehab organised by another mountain biking friend.

'Touching the Void' by Joe Simpson, very readable great story and never met anyone who has read it and hasn't been moved by it.

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This post has been edited by russ1: 20 October 2008 - 09:26 PM

[StillFingers]

russ1, on Oct 20 2008, 02:23 PM, said:

Just have one that fits the bill, was sent to me about a month after my injury while I was still in the early stages of rehab by a guy who'd I'd never met except on an online forum for mountain bikers who'd heard about my accident (on a mountain bike) and sent me his treasured hardback copy with a note saying it was his favorite book and that I might like it and even enclosed a stamped envelope with the request that I send it back. On top of being very touched at this act of thoughtfulness from an (almost) complete stranger the book itself is amazing and got me through a very difficult time when I was at probably my lowest ebb. Joe has a running theme that gets him out of a quite unimaginably difficult situation by just concentrating on literally the next step and not being daunted by the big picture which helped me through rehab - Amazing story by an amazing bloke.

Was lucky enough to go to the world premiere of the film of the book in London while in the later stages of rehab organised by another mountain biking friend.

'Touching the Void' by Joe Simpson, very readable great story and never met anyone who has read it and hasn't been moved by it.

Thanks russ,

I've seen the movie, docu-drama, have since wanted to read the book...I will now! As you said, its the small steps that get us through life!

Jerry

[nomis]

Reading your post StillFingers brings to mind a book I read in my youth that had a great impression on me, The Third Eye by Lobsang Rampa about magical ways of a Tibetan lama. While not sure that I could believe all of it, it opened my eyes to the possibility of knowledge beyond my experience but held by other, far-away cultures. It set me off to seek more information about the unknown.

Many years later I was to learn that Lobsang Rampa was a plumber's son from Devon who'd never been to Tibet. I believe he later wrote a book that he claimed was dictated to him by his cat! But this was of no real consequence to me, the seed had been sown.

I don't have any other standout books but for many years read a lot of credible books bridging eastern and western spiritual learning that were illuminating. Admired Rajneesh's writings, Baba Ram Dass (Be Here Now) and stuff from Perls, Bandler and Grinder, etc, etc.

Nowadays I read few books and none on spiritual learning. I reckon I've read enough on that topic to have my mind jumbled with other peoples' ideas and words, and now it's time I found my own way without the clutter. I'm slowly sifting through my mind, racing against senility, sorting out what to hang on to and what to drop. In the end I'll have the answer. I'll let you know.

[RacingAxe]

StillFingers this is such a cool post. Reading has always been something I've loved to do and your story is great! For you to overcome dyslexia to find the power in the written word is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

One of my favorites, "Illusions", by Richard Bach.

[Trinity]

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

Don't be put off by the rubbish cover

Give it a go

This post has been edited by trinity: 23 October 2008 - 09:39 AM

[Illinois Boy]

The Book - Websters Dictionary......

Why - While arguing over the definition of a word, I called my Ole' Lady a Dumb ASS........
She proceeded to hit me over the head with the Son of a Bitch.........

I now keep my knowledge and mouth to myself, around her...... Sometimes.......

Jim

[fatdave]

This may sound really stupid but i will post it anyway.

The book that changed my life was the first Harry Potter book.

It was right after my mother died and i was in the struggles of addiction, depression and facing homelessness, My niece left it on my computer desk amongst all the parts, CD's an manuals. I was sitting there staring around and decided to pick it up.

I read for 6 hours straight, until i finished the book. It re-ignited the flame for reading that i had lost.

Now i read everything i get my hands on, including going as far as getting e-books and reading them.

[Kev-O]

I really liked the book "Gimp" by Mark Zupan. it showed me that life is not over just because your in a chair. I think it helped me except the fact that im in a chair. Another book that really inspired me was "No Excuses" by Kyle Maynard. This kid was born with out any arms or legs but he didn't let that hold him back. He didn't let that hold him back. In high school he played football an was even on the wrestling team an won a state championship in his weight class.

[brython2]

The Laughing Jesus by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy.
I'm not overly religious, but this book explained a lot to me about the origins of Christianity and the Gnostic way of thinking, first part is their research and theories on how and who wrote stuff, second part is a way to move forward with your life in the Gnostic way.
It hasn't changed my life but has changed in someway how I look at and try to understand the world and our existance.

[StillFingers]

RacingAxe, on Oct 22 2008, 05:00 PM, said:

StillFingers this is such a cool post. Reading has always been something I've loved to do and your story is great! For you to overcome dyslexia to find the power in the written word is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

One of my favorites, "Illusions", by Richard Bach.

RacingAxe,

I have read Illusions many times...it is indeed a wonderful journey into what we can see if we so choose.

Thanks,

Jerry

trinity, on Oct 22 2008, 05:41 PM, said:

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

Don't be put off by the rubbish cover

Give it a go

prometheusrising.jpg

Trinity,

I read this many moons ago...it was great..I'll give it another try...thanks!

Jerry (aka goofy)

[Slowlegs]

Reach for the sky by Paul Brickhill. One of my surgeons lent me his copy of this which is about second war airman Douglas Bader. He lost his legs in an air crash when he was flying a spitfire. He convinced the military to let him keep flying as an amputee, was shot down and spent time in a German POW camp. Great book to read during my recovery and showed me there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

This post has been edited by Slowlegs: 26 October 2008 - 02:08 AM

[StillFingers]

To all that have posted here...THANK YOU!

And, nomis, I'm still reading/searching! I hope to get to your stage in life, I'm just not confused enough yet...

Thanks again for sharing!

Jerry

[nomis]

StillFingers, on Oct 26 2008, 03:20 PM, said:

...And, nomis, I'm still reading/searching! I hope to get to your stage in life, I'm just not confused enough yet...

You probably don't want to reach my "stage in life" - I'm pretty certain both it and I are delusional.

[Ches]

I read The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz back when it came out. I guess I was 18 at the time. For whatever reason that book left such an impression. I utilize its lesson everyday in my life. I guess its fair to say it helped 'make' me, so far. Its not a long book, doesnt need to be. I recommend everyone read it... If you're into that stuff.

Post Injury I came across 'I hope they serve beer in hell' by Tucker Max. Its pretty demoralizing. The guys is a major asshole, he drinks way too much and often disrespects woman. Not sure why I was so drawn to the book but I finished it in one night and for some strange reason it re-lit an old flame within me.

This post has been edited by Ches: 29 October 2008 - 07:51 PM

[nomis]

What flame was that?

[Ches]

Thats a hard one to put into words Nomis, wasnt a sexual thing. Just sorta reminded me of the old days, made me realize its ok to let that stuff go, and inspired me to write!

[Texaswheelz]

Ches I picked up that book one day at work and started reading it during my Lunch break, your right, he is a asshole and I came to the conclusion that some guy just sit down and started righting the most outrageous stories he could come up with that would make him seem more and more like an ass. He accomplished it.

[Ches]

Txwheelz I will eventually run into you at that bookstore. Fair warning.

[Texaswheelz]

I'm sure we can get you something from the Cafe if you do ;)

[Illinois Boy]

Texaswheelz, on Oct 29 2008, 10:43 PM, said:

Ches I picked up that book one day at work and started reading it during my Lunch break, your right, he is a asshole and I came to the conclusion that some guy just sit down and started righting the most outrageous stories he could come up with that would make him seem more and more like an ass. He accomplished it.

Sounds like something I would write.........

Jim

This post has been edited by Illinois Boy: 30 October 2008 - 04:38 PM

[Ches]

Stillfingers,.. how's that reading coming any new ones?

Im reading A Good and Happy Child right now. Its not what it sounds like.. and its not a life changer,, but its a good read all the same.

[StillFingers]

Ches, on Nov 13 2008, 10:40 AM, said:

Stillfingers,.. how's that reading coming any new ones?

Im reading A Good and Happy Child right now. Its not what it sounds like.. and its not a life changer,, but its a good read all the same.

Ches...I am actually re-reading an old friend. Lately I've been a bit caught up in all the madness going on, so I took a pause to refresh my soul a bit and remind myself that there are..."No Ordinary Moments"...by Dan Millman.

I'm still on my journey, when I finish this read I'll move on to something new...or who knows, I may just write another poem

Love Always,

Jerry

[Andre Cremer]

not life changing but , very good!!!! my fav book

[Andre Cremer]

life changing book
http://www.go2convert.com/processed/1491d7...6052212467.jpeg

[Nickleblue]

Dave Pelzer - A boy called it - A man named dave - The Lost boy and his self help book.
why? - Made me realise someone could relate to what I had been through. Gave me a reason to fight back (mentally) - Been fighting back ever since.
Gary.

[StillFingers]

To everyone that has offered up their personal selections and thoughts, THANK YOU.

One of the books I mentioned in my original post has a sightly different title than the one I listed. Several people, in chat, have asked me if the book actually exists...well yes it does, it was written by Barry J. Rabin in 1980...and yes it is 28+ years old, but I hope it can help those searching for some possible answers to what can be a difficult discovery/topic. Below are the book's particulars...and a link to Amazon.com USA.

Sensuous Wheeler: Sexual Adjustment for the Spinal Cord Injured

Barry J. Rabin
March 1980

ISBN-10: 0960396802
ISBN-13: 978-0960396801

http://www.amazon.com/Sensuous-Wheeler-Sex...d/dp/0960396802

[zafree]

nomis and trinity,just gave me goose bumps,i have worked heavily with Richard Bandler ,I am an NLP master trainer from my time with Richard .Robert Anton Wilson,is my all time fav,read all his books what a brilliant man,strange thing happend to me ,at the start of last year i couldnt get him out of my mind and decided to go on to his website,he had just died,nearly freaked cause before that i was telling a friend about RAW and he asked me where he could get hold of his books ,i told him that RAW would find him,that afternoon he went to a church fair and lo and behold he found a copy of one of his books.

please read

Moshe Feldenkris - The elusive obvious.

also Malcom Gladwell,just finished Outliers it is brilliant,Blink and Tipping Point,are also highly recommended.

[Hope Brookes]

thank you so much huni - your storys incredible i found out i was dyslexic wen i was 11 i think i used to just pretend i was reading by just makin up based on wat was in the pictures lol -- thnk uuuuuuuu

ur awsum xx

hugs

hope xx

[JesseB]

This book didn't really change my life, but I do suggest it to everyone on this forum.
I finished it in two days, which is crazy because I never read, I find it boring and I get distracted easily. But just couldn't put this one down.

It's called 'Gimp' by Mark Zupan

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