Lots of book activity lately.

Audiobook Version

Within a week or so I should have the audiobook, which I narrate myself, available for sale. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.

Alumnus of the Year

Each year, my college fraternity selects one person as alumnus of the year. Because of my successful book launch, they selected me for 2018.

I hadn’t been back to Phi Kappa Sigma at the University of Maine in 17 years. I joined the fraternity first semester of my freshman year, moved in second semester of my freshman year, and lived there for the remainder of my undergraduate years. The fraternity, or more precisely, the group of men I lived with, had a profound effect on me. I have remained in touch with many of them.

At the ceremony, I caught up with old friends, met alumni from different generations, and interacted with the active members. They presented me with a nice plaque, and then I gave a brief talk.

First, I had to warm up the crowd:

I know what you’re all thinking. I can see it in your eyes. You’re jealous. I have a cool wheelchair. I have a trophy wife. I’m writing books and winning awards. I can find parking at the mall during Christmas season. Well, I’m here to tell you, having advanced multiple sclerosis isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Then, I began telling my life story, including these highlights:

A few years after I began to have walking problems, I was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, a particularly disabling form of the disease. By the time I was 45, my legs had failed, and I purchased my first wheelchair. Soon afterward, my arms and hands began to fail.

After a year of traveling around the country for business in my wheelchair, I took disability retirement.

After I retired, sitting at home with nothing to do, I rediscovered an earlier love I had for writing. I started a blog called Enjoying the Ride, and in doing so I became a disability advocate, writing essays about living a contented life as a disabled person. I had feared that by giving up on my career I would be giving up on life. I couldn’t have been more wrong. …Today, I measure my impact on the world not in terms of multi-million-dollar projects completed, but in terms of the people I’ve helped. It warms my heart when I receive a note from someone who has been struggling, and has found some level of solace in my words.

And then, I felt compelled to give the undergraduates some advice:

As you venture out into the world, build a life that is both adventurous and resilient. They are not mutually exclusive. I’ll talk a little more about the resilient part and leave the adventurous part to you.

… surround yourself with quality people — individuals you can trust, people who are earnest, and people who give as much to the relationship as they take. Let the assholes go.

… Cultivate a diversity of interests.

… accept that life doesn’t owe you anything.… Life is a tournament, and you are a winner simply by virtue of being born. I consider anything after our births to be bonus time. When life doesn’t owe you anything, there is no asking “why me?” There is only “why not me?” Or “how do I adjust to my new circumstances?”

… appreciate all the good things in your life.… In difficult times, the only practical alternative is to show gratitude, to feel gratitude, for what is still good in your life.

… When things do go to hell, and they will, reach for hope, grab onto hope, but don’t depend on hope. … The challenge for all of us is to occupy that space where acceptance overlaps with hope. That’s where we can find peace and lead contented lives.

The talk was well received, and I enjoyed reconnecting with my old fraternity.

Karen’s Book Club

My brother, Andy, and his wife, Karen, recently purchased a condo in a 55+ community. Karen promptly joined their book club convinced the group to read my book. On Sunday, Kim and I made the 30-minute drive to their condo, so Karen’s book club could meet the author. Sure, I received a good dose of love and attention from these ladies, but, based on what each of them had learned about Kim by reading my book, they fawned over her. A few of them asked for pole dancing lessons (if you don’t get that reference, you haven’t read the book).

I gave a brief talk and answered questions from the 22 or so women for about an hour, until the men broke up our party and drinking and eating ensued for another hour or so. I met some wonderful people, all of whom boosted my self-esteem. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I was humbled that all these folks took the time to read my book and come meet me. Playing author isn’t all work.