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A Dramatically Different Direction
A Dramatically Different Direction is a poignant, funny, and heart rendering autobiographical commentary on disability by a 66 year old, bi-racial, lesbian, Buddhist in a wheelchair. With razor sharp wit and well balanced cynicism Margaret Mann shares her unique perspective in a series of essays that offer uplifting insights about the nature of suffering. She has a keen awareness of how each of us will suffer in life to the same degree we wish things were different. From her perspective as a Buddhist, Margaret offers advice on how to deal with the sudden onset of a serious disability and the slippery slope of aging.
202 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 24, 2012
Reviewed by Arian Sanz
Alternately laughing and crying, I could not put this book down until I had read every page! A compelling read, from beginning to end, with so much important information for living on all levels from (as she calls herself) an old, bi-racial, lesbian, Buddhist in a wheelchair who has a thing or two to say.
A life long lesbian and Buddhist, Margaret Mann was raised in multi-cultural Hawaii in a mixed race family. She was instantly paralyzed in 1997 by a blood vessel bursting in her spinal cord. She thought then she was on top of the world working for women’s rights in Washington DC, but the incident took her on journey she never thought possible. Margaret Mann has fashioned a book which pulls no punches about living a successful life as a person with a disability in our society. She drew upon her many resources, not least of which is a wicked sense of humor.
This book opened my eyes regarding the gut wrenching and nitty gritty challenges of learning how to adjust to being dependent on a wheelchair. It’s also a powerful Dharma teaching about impermanence and the fact of suffering. The chapter on dealing with pain was tremendously insightful about choosing whether or not to suffer.
The chapter on Discrimination speaks eloquently of the obstacles people with disabilities must overcome when other people do not fully understand their needs. Businesses are required to have access available to the disabled but this is not always the case.
Margaret is so honest about herself, so helpful to others, even as she moves through a powerful and painful journey. She provides a deeply detailed account of her journey with a huge change in her life as she now navigates through the government and social system in creating a new life for herself.
I felt her pain and frustration and it made me angry at a system meant to be helpful but in the end not actually helpful at all. Margaret's ability to live her life in the present moment without attachment is a great teaching for all of us. Margaret has had to deal with so much more than most of us can even imagine and has done so with intelligence, style, wit and good humor.
I found the last two chapters--Me and the Homeless and Grace, Gratitude, and No Regrets--especially moving. We can all learn a lot about ourselves looking at the world through Margaret's eyes. All able-bodied persons can learn much from reading this book.
The paper back book is available from https://createspace.com/3630186; and paperback and Kindle through Amazon.com. Signed copies are available from the author by emailing her at margaretmann2000@yahoo.com
Alternately laughing and crying, I could not put this book down until I had read every page! A compelling read, from beginning to end, with so much important information for living on all levels from (as she calls herself) an old, bi-racial, lesbian, Buddhist in a wheelchair who has a thing or two to say.
A life long lesbian and Buddhist, Margaret Mann was raised in multi-cultural Hawaii in a mixed race family. She was instantly paralyzed in 1997 by a blood vessel bursting in her spinal cord. She thought then she was on top of the world working for women’s rights in Washington DC, but the incident took her on journey she never thought possible. Margaret Mann has fashioned a book which pulls no punches about living a successful life as a person with a disability in our society. She drew upon her many resources, not least of which is a wicked sense of humor.
This book opened my eyes regarding the gut wrenching and nitty gritty challenges of learning how to adjust to being dependent on a wheelchair. It’s also a powerful Dharma teaching about impermanence and the fact of suffering. The chapter on dealing with pain was tremendously insightful about choosing whether or not to suffer.
The chapter on Discrimination speaks eloquently of the obstacles people with disabilities must overcome when other people do not fully understand their needs. Businesses are required to have access available to the disabled but this is not always the case.
Margaret is so honest about herself, so helpful to others, even as she moves through a powerful and painful journey. She provides a deeply detailed account of her journey with a huge change in her life as she now navigates through the government and social system in creating a new life for herself.
I felt her pain and frustration and it made me angry at a system meant to be helpful but in the end not actually helpful at all. Margaret's ability to live her life in the present moment without attachment is a great teaching for all of us. Margaret has had to deal with so much more than most of us can even imagine and has done so with intelligence, style, wit and good humor.
I found the last two chapters--Me and the Homeless and Grace, Gratitude, and No Regrets--especially moving. We can all learn a lot about ourselves looking at the world through Margaret's eyes. All able-bodied persons can learn much from reading this book.
The paper back book is available from https://createspace.com/3630186; and paperback and Kindle through Amazon.com. Signed copies are available from the author by emailing her at margaretmann2000@yahoo.com
September 24, 2012
Wow! What a dramatic life Ms. Mann has led. Yet, the story doesn't lead you into deep and tearful drama. With all that happened to and for Margaret Mann, she maintains a dignity seldom found in autobiographies.
While telling her story, the author gently guides the reader to sources of help should they find themselves in similar situations. Due to her education and personal needs, she has been involved in many support groups. In fact, I feel that was the purpose of writing this book. To help others. It wasn't just about making a buck or glorifying herself. From the viewpoint of her chosen philosophy/religion of Buddhism, she deals with the bigotry directed to the bi-racial, lgbt, homeless and those with disabilities.
This is a book addressing the current state of affairs with the government and those agencies that are supposed to be there to help those less fortunate. If you find yourself dealing with these, such as SSDI, there are words of encouragement and empathy.
I plan to read this again. I have dealt with a bit of what is presented and have seen my friends go through similar situations. There is an addendum at the end of the book with addresses, phone numbers, web pages and e-mails to help others find the support they need.
Namaste, Margaret Mann.
While telling her story, the author gently guides the reader to sources of help should they find themselves in similar situations. Due to her education and personal needs, she has been involved in many support groups. In fact, I feel that was the purpose of writing this book. To help others. It wasn't just about making a buck or glorifying herself. From the viewpoint of her chosen philosophy/religion of Buddhism, she deals with the bigotry directed to the bi-racial, lgbt, homeless and those with disabilities.
This is a book addressing the current state of affairs with the government and those agencies that are supposed to be there to help those less fortunate. If you find yourself dealing with these, such as SSDI, there are words of encouragement and empathy.
I plan to read this again. I have dealt with a bit of what is presented and have seen my friends go through similar situations. There is an addendum at the end of the book with addresses, phone numbers, web pages and e-mails to help others find the support they need.
Namaste, Margaret Mann.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews