What do you think?
Rate this book
Just Like You?
This book isn't perfect - very few things in this world are. It's about being honest, about being flawed, and about surviving the challenging times in our lives. And it isn't just a coming out memoir, it's a story about acceptance. A series of recollections about struggling to gain internal perspective, while remembering that everyone is going through some battle within their own lives. And that by sharing those times, we can actually close the distance between us. It is a true story, my story, as best as I can express to you. Thanks for looking through my eyes, even for a short period of time.
- GenresMemoir
148 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2014
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2015
The Pain and Triumph of Coming Out
Are you gay or bisexual? Are you terrified of coming out? Do you have Bipolar Disorder? Do you have trouble accepting yourself? If so, this book is for you. It's a memoir of a man who almost died from the pain these questions caused. And I'm so relieved he didn't complete his suicide attempt!!!
I don't know why it took me so long to read this. Matthew Kinney was my college swimming teammate, and I'm delighted to say we're still friends. I watched him excel in the pool, and expected him to be NCAA champion in the 200 Breaststroke our senior year. When he didn't swim well, I felt so sad for him. I wondered why he didn't swim to his potential. Later I learned a little about his struggles, and this story (so bravely told) fills in the details.
Matt starts off with definitions of suicide, Bipolar II disorder, and catharsis, setting up the reader for what's to come. Suicide statistics are horrifying. In America alone, 108 people die per DAY (including 18 military veterans). Can you imagine an airplane crashing one day, killing 108 people? Then the next day, another 108 die in a crash. The following day yet another 108 die. How long would it take us to demand safer airplanes? Yet how much are we doing to prevent suicide? And suicide is quite preventable. Over 80% of people considering suicide give a warning sign of some sort.
Matt points out that suicide among LGBT youth is even higher than the general population, especially before they come out and garner the support of community.
Matt is now a swim coach. He wanted to share his struggles so others wouldn't feel so alone in their own. But it took him a while to get the story on paper.
Finally the realization hit me, I should write it like I would coach my team -- brutal honesty, a little spontaneity, and some humor thrown in to make the brutal honesty go down better.
Mission accomplished, Matt! Love the high school yearbook picture; 1980s at its finest:
Me, bad hair--for some reason that I cannot fathom now, I had decided on one day to part my hair down the middle and feather it...immortalized in my yearbook. I was also wearing an interesting patterned purple sweater. Smiling like a goon.
Matt's love for the wonderful sport of swimming really shines through. Writing inspiration strikes him while swimming. There's a sheer joy in training and competing with a team full of drama and laughs.
I learned some things about Matt, like his history as a wrestler, his intense year in Florida, how our Coach first spoke to him, and how his sister nicknamed him "Little Psycho" for his rare Hulk-smash rages. But what I learned the most, painfully, was how alone and tortured he felt during our college years. I'm grateful to our teammates Kevin, Carla, and Carolyn. I wish I could have been there for him, too.
I wish I knew then what I know now: being gay isn't a choice. Being gay is a small piece of a person. Some of my favorite people happen to be gay, and if I hadn't been so naive as a college student, I could've let them into my heart at an earlier age.
And what I've learned about suicide prevention: If you are concerned, DO SOMETHING. Ask "Are you thinking about suicide?" Asking that question doesn't make someone suicidal. If the person is suicidal, get him or her to a mental health professional or hospital.
As Matt says:
So what would I tell young adults about getting older?
Balancing life does get better and a greater deal of perspective happens. Not giving up or giving in to what other people think. And let me tell you, suicide is not the answer. Please don't ever let it get to that point. Things can get overwhelming. Life gets hard. Find support and use it. And realize that life will go up and down, if you get off the ride on a down point, you're going to miss the rest of the ups, and those are really worth riding the rest of the ride for.
Bravo, Matt! I'm so happy you're here on this ride, and I look forward to riding more ups and downs together!
Are you gay or bisexual? Are you terrified of coming out? Do you have Bipolar Disorder? Do you have trouble accepting yourself? If so, this book is for you. It's a memoir of a man who almost died from the pain these questions caused. And I'm so relieved he didn't complete his suicide attempt!!!
I don't know why it took me so long to read this. Matthew Kinney was my college swimming teammate, and I'm delighted to say we're still friends. I watched him excel in the pool, and expected him to be NCAA champion in the 200 Breaststroke our senior year. When he didn't swim well, I felt so sad for him. I wondered why he didn't swim to his potential. Later I learned a little about his struggles, and this story (so bravely told) fills in the details.
Matt starts off with definitions of suicide, Bipolar II disorder, and catharsis, setting up the reader for what's to come. Suicide statistics are horrifying. In America alone, 108 people die per DAY (including 18 military veterans). Can you imagine an airplane crashing one day, killing 108 people? Then the next day, another 108 die in a crash. The following day yet another 108 die. How long would it take us to demand safer airplanes? Yet how much are we doing to prevent suicide? And suicide is quite preventable. Over 80% of people considering suicide give a warning sign of some sort.
Matt points out that suicide among LGBT youth is even higher than the general population, especially before they come out and garner the support of community.
Matt is now a swim coach. He wanted to share his struggles so others wouldn't feel so alone in their own. But it took him a while to get the story on paper.
Finally the realization hit me, I should write it like I would coach my team -- brutal honesty, a little spontaneity, and some humor thrown in to make the brutal honesty go down better.
Mission accomplished, Matt! Love the high school yearbook picture; 1980s at its finest:
Me, bad hair--for some reason that I cannot fathom now, I had decided on one day to part my hair down the middle and feather it...immortalized in my yearbook. I was also wearing an interesting patterned purple sweater. Smiling like a goon.
Matt's love for the wonderful sport of swimming really shines through. Writing inspiration strikes him while swimming. There's a sheer joy in training and competing with a team full of drama and laughs.
I learned some things about Matt, like his history as a wrestler, his intense year in Florida, how our Coach first spoke to him, and how his sister nicknamed him "Little Psycho" for his rare Hulk-smash rages. But what I learned the most, painfully, was how alone and tortured he felt during our college years. I'm grateful to our teammates Kevin, Carla, and Carolyn. I wish I could have been there for him, too.
I wish I knew then what I know now: being gay isn't a choice. Being gay is a small piece of a person. Some of my favorite people happen to be gay, and if I hadn't been so naive as a college student, I could've let them into my heart at an earlier age.
And what I've learned about suicide prevention: If you are concerned, DO SOMETHING. Ask "Are you thinking about suicide?" Asking that question doesn't make someone suicidal. If the person is suicidal, get him or her to a mental health professional or hospital.
As Matt says:
So what would I tell young adults about getting older?
Balancing life does get better and a greater deal of perspective happens. Not giving up or giving in to what other people think. And let me tell you, suicide is not the answer. Please don't ever let it get to that point. Things can get overwhelming. Life gets hard. Find support and use it. And realize that life will go up and down, if you get off the ride on a down point, you're going to miss the rest of the ups, and those are really worth riding the rest of the ride for.
Bravo, Matt! I'm so happy you're here on this ride, and I look forward to riding more ups and downs together!
October 20, 2014
I really liked this story. It's a quick read and a great lesson on the importance of being honest with yourself and those close to you.
I had written a really long review but it vanished into cyberspace so I'm trying to remember what I said.
Matthew does a great job with this story. He keeps it on track and shares honestly about his mistakes growing up and how hiding from himself really hurt him and those around him. It's a great story on the importance of being honest with yourself, and daring to speak your truth. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the "what ifs" that we are too scared to find out that it might not be that bad.
Our author does a wonderful job of leading us through growing up, college, coaching, swimming, and even brushes a bit on God. He tackles his own mental illness and his suicide attempts. I don't think of that as a spoiler. I think that's good information to know because maybe you've walked in those shoes in some way and can relate. Maybe no one knows that but you, but you might like this book for it dear reader.
I personally think it was very well written and a great story.
I had written a really long review but it vanished into cyberspace so I'm trying to remember what I said.
Matthew does a great job with this story. He keeps it on track and shares honestly about his mistakes growing up and how hiding from himself really hurt him and those around him. It's a great story on the importance of being honest with yourself, and daring to speak your truth. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the "what ifs" that we are too scared to find out that it might not be that bad.
Our author does a wonderful job of leading us through growing up, college, coaching, swimming, and even brushes a bit on God. He tackles his own mental illness and his suicide attempts. I don't think of that as a spoiler. I think that's good information to know because maybe you've walked in those shoes in some way and can relate. Maybe no one knows that but you, but you might like this book for it dear reader.
I personally think it was very well written and a great story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews