July is Disability Pride Month, which is celebrating its 32nd year after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990, to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities.
This is the true story of Dr. Ludwig Guttman. He story unfolds as a young Jewish man who has dreams of becoming a doctor. His hopes are quickly but not permanently dashed when WWII breaks out and the Nazi's come to power. Fortunately, though, he is sent to research to help soldiers who have been crippled.
The story finds him working with mostly men who have no chance of thriving in life or even past much living. His research revealed how bacteria affected the soldiers. Eventually, he was given his own ward and Dr. Ludwig began doing innovative things like turning a patient over, having them sit up, and even "walking" with the use of bar handles.
Eventually the doctor discovered that his patients were able to play games in their wheelchairs. He encouraged this behavior, much to the hospitals chagrin, which eventually lead to the Paralympic games that still happens world-wide to this day.
I am completely impressed in how Dr. Ludwig, in spite of adversity, continued to provide care and concern for patients that originally had no chance of survival. Without his tenacity, many things that people with spinal cord injuries do today would not be available.
This book includes real photos of the games and Doctor Ludwig himself. It is inspiring and I would certainly recommend it to be put in school and home libraries.
5 stars!
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to facilitate a review. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
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