From
the Ashes of My Dreams
by Ed Smith
...
a frank critique of spinal cord injury rehabilitation
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“Writing,”
says Ed Smith, author of From the Ashes of My Dreams, “is
to the mind what callisthenics is to the body. It gets out the kinks
and smoothes out the wrinkles. Writing From the Ashes of My Dreams
helped get my emotions about and frustrations with my physical
condition out in the open where I could more easily cope with them.”
While the book may have provided excellent self-therapy for the author,
it offers non-disabled readers a rare glimpse of the gruelling ordeal
of spinal cord injury rehabilitation—and an affirmation for those
who’ve experienced firsthand any similar ordeal.
Smith was a popular Newfoundland writer and columnist prior to his 1998 injury, and continues to hone his craft as a quadriplegic. From the Ashes of My Dreams, Smith’s seventh published book, is a compelling chronicle of his 18-month journey through rehabilitation. Tremendously sad one minute, hilariously funny the next, the book is ultimately about the ability of the human spirit to overcome.
Extremely positive reviews have appeared in the Toronto Star, the Montreal Gazette, the St John’s Evening Telegram and the Cornerbrook Western Star. But perhaps the most flattering review of the book —and one that is completely unsolicited—appears on the Chapters internet bookstore, courtesy of reader Carrol Ann Smith of Halifax (who is adamant that she isn’t related):
“The unimaginable happened to Ed Smith, a prominent Newfoundland educator, columnist and humourist. The aftermath, described in his words and also those of his wife and youngest daughter who survived unscathed the car accident that left Ed a quadriplegic, makes fascinating reading. This story is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over the kind of adversity most of us meet only in our worst nightmares. Ed’s humour, Marion’s courage and their family’s determination to have their father back shine in the face of tragedy, bureaucratic stupidity and often callous disregard for humanity displayed by people in our stressed and overworked Canadian health system. I laughed, I cried, I got angry but most of all I felt better about my status as a human being after I finished this book. Read this, you’ll be glad you did!”
From the Ashes
of My Dreams is published in English only by Flanker Press in
St. John’s, Newfoundland. Five thousand copies were intially printed
in May, all of which were sold in less than a month. A further 10,000
were printed in August. You can purchase it at numerous bookstores,
including Chapters and Chapters Indigo online.
source: CPA
You can order From the Ashes of My Dreams by Ed Smith from Chapters / Indigo at this link
* From the
Publisher:
Ed Smith is a writer of humour From the Ashes of My Dreams is the story of his struggle to come to grips with quadriplegia after a motor vehicle accident, and describes his adventures and misadventures of seventeen months in rehabilitation centres in Newfoundland and Toronto.The author details his frustrations and triumphs and from his own experience offers critical observations on certain aspects of health care.With the help of family and friends, and support from people all across Canada, Ed Smith persevered despite many personal challenges to return to what he loves; family, home and, of course, writing.
* Reviews
Highly Recommended!
Reviewer: Lisa Cahill from Paradise, Newfoundland
I loved this book - couldn't put it down. It will make you laugh and cry. I missed the characters (Ed and his family) when I finished this book! I felt like they were part of my own family. I'm glad I got my copy signed! Excellent read.
Read This, You'll be Glad You Did
Reviewer: Carrol Ann Smith (No relation, unfortunately) from Halifax, Nova Scotia carrolannsmith@yahoo.ca
This story is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over the kind of adversity most of us meet only in our worst nightmares. Ed's humour, Marion's courage and their family's determination to have their father back shine in the face of tragedy, bureaucratic stupidity and often callous disregard for humanity displayed by people in our stressed and overworked Canadian health system. I laughed, I cried, I got angry but most of all I felt better about my status as a human being after I finished this book. Read this, you'll be glad you did!
A LIFE-CHANGING BOOK!!
Reviewer: Ian Farrell from Austin, Texas i_farrell@mail.utexas.edu
But the book is so much more than that. It is the story of triumph over tragedy, of humour overcoming despair, of hope reborn. It is the story of the strength of community and the love of family. It is also at times HILARIOUSLY, side-splittingly funny. (If you would be embarrassed by suddenly laughing out loud in a public place, this book is sadly not for you.)
It is the story of the courage and tenacity not just of Ed Smith, but of his wife and family, and of their choosing what was best over what was easiest. The book is brutally honest, and the author is critical of himself when it is merited. This honesty makes his successes more real, and his critical insights into the health care system more believable.
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