I've just finished reading the recently published book Like Any Normal Day: A Story of Devotion by Mark Kram, Jr. It's the true story of Buddy Miley and his family. In 1973, Buddy was the star quarterback of his high school football team. A tragic accident during a football game rendered him quadriplegic. This book explores the lifetime consequences of that accident for Buddy, his mother Rosemarie, his girlfriend Karen and his faithful younger brother Jimmy.
The book is also a thoughtful exploration of physician-assisted suicide. After 24 years of chronic pain, depression and dependency, Buddy chose to end his life in 1997 with the assistance of Dr. Jack Kevorkian. No matter where you stand regarding this controversial area, this book will help you see the human dimensions of the issue.
This is a beautifully written book that is a pleasure to read. It's very easy to get involved with Buddy and his family's lives. Clearly, the author conducted exhaustive interviews with all the main people involved. Mark Kram, Jr. is an award-winning sportswriter and journalist with The Philadelphia Daily News. His wife Anne blogs over at The Gods Are Bored and that's where I learned of this book's publication. If you'd like to read it too, it's available at Amazon.
26 comments:
i am ordering this right now!
I will look this up, sounds very interesting, our son inlaw lost the use of his arms and legs in an accident but did regain partial use of his arms, he has been in a wheel chair for 17 years, its a hard row to hoe,
Sounds like a great book. And checked out the blog. Some really great reading there, but how does one become a follower? I couldn't find any way.
Mary
It must be devastating to have this kind of tragedy in your life.Sounds like an interesting book though.
That book sounds like it would make for some grand conversation! Having worked in the medical field for 26 years, this hits home on several levels. I shall see if my library carries it, if not, Amazon!
I will check it out at my library, but will probably have to be on a waiting list for a very long time! thank you for the recommendation.
Oh wow! I know all about this story! I was dating a guy who's sister went to school with Buddy. He even showed me a newspaper clipping that his sister saved from 1973 all about the accident, it even showed a photo of Buddy in his football uniform. It wasn't long after he showed me the article that we saw Buddy on the news stating that he went to Dr. Kevorkian. Such a sad sad story. The worst part was that after his death, I had read something from a local newspaper that Buddy stated his life was hell since the accident and that was why he wanted it to end. So tragic!
i will check it out, not sure if i will be able to read it..hits close to home for me, my sister became a paraplegic in her 30's after a botched back surgery. She also tried to commit suicide, but thankfully survived.It is definitely a hard subject
This is such a touching topic... It reminds me of a movie called "THe Sea Inside" about Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die. Him, like Buddy, also was quadriplegic due to an unfortunate accident and could not commit suicide without assistance.
I will add the book to my wish list.
The 'walk a mile in my shoes' is a quote I always think of when people who have suffered for years (and have greater suffering to endure)choose to end their lives. It certainly is not for me to judge. I'm looking forward to reading this book.
I'm not sure if I could read this - although I know it would be beneficial to do so. I am definitely in favour of patient-directed suicide: until you've walked in another's shoes... and god-forbid we find ourselves in the same situation.
Thank you for sharing this hon..I will look for it!
Finally done with school and back to blogging and visiting..so of course I had to pop by and say howdy~ missed you and your blog!
Huge hugs, Sarah
A very difficult situation, and hard for some to talk about. My hope is that society in general would stop putting its collective heads in the sand about death and dying, and assisted suicide. I am absolutely for death with dignity, and patient-directed end of life directives.I will take a look at this book, not sure I can get through it though.
Like jane I don't think I could read this but I will say that after my 2 month bout with unbelievable never-ending pain with sciatica, pain that no drug can ease, I can understand
buddy's choice. Who could live with such pain for years?
Sounds like an interesting read.
Jo
My cousin became quadriplegic after a freak trampoline accident. It is quite a controversial topic; thank you for the blog recommendation.
Thank you for reading "Like Any Normal Day!" I wish I could tell your readers how to follow my blog, but I don't know how to add the "follow" thingy. It zaps my sidebar. Sorry!
Yes, Mark did an amazing amount of research for this book, and he had to get deep into people's souls about a very difficult topic. Imagine having to interview the guy who hit Buddy in the game! Not an easy book, I'm here to tell ya. But really thoughtful on the topic of self-determination and empowerment.
I will have to add this to my reading list. I know it will probably overwhelm me and make me all emotional, but I'm willing to give it a try. What a terrible and tragic story.
I know who Dr. Jack Kevorkian is, and I'm curious about his part in this, as well. I have a strong opinion in favour of assisted suicide where it makes sense.
I read it already and loved it so much..I have recommended it to everyone I know..and Mark was nice enough to autograph one and send it to me..
I imagine this would be a tear-jerker...
i know if i was in that circumstance, i'd want to end the pain... BEFORE 24 years!
Thanks for posting this. I would love to read it sometime. I can't imagine the agony that led to that decision, but I certainly can understand making that choice.
Thank you so much for informing me about this book!
Thanks for this Debra. I will look for this one. Feels like I must since 1973 is special to me....I have no choice! Physician assisted suicide is a sensitive topic.
Thanks for sharing this book I'm going to check it out. Also on this subject is a movie 'Who's life is it anyway?' starring Richard Dreyfuss that is well done and very thought provoking (also available on Amazon)
Johnina
Sounds like a great book club choice - thanks :)
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