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Back On My Feet
The inspirational story of how a rehabilitation doctor overcame her devastating spinal injury with faith and determination, and changed her life and practice as a result.
When Dr Olivia Ong was struck by a car and suffered a catastrophic spinal injury, her prognosis was devastating. Experts told her she would never walk again. The future she had envisioned - practising medicine, having children and sharing life's simple joys with her husband, family and friends - seemed to slip away.
What followed was an extraordinary journey of resilience, requiring years of intensive physical therapy, unwavering determination and the relentless support of her loved ones. Against the odds, Olivia regained the ability to walk and returned to medicine, specialising in rehabilitation and pain management.
Olivia also discovered something profound as she transformed in heart and self-compassion. This newfound empathy not only made her stronger, it also made her a better human being and doctor - one who truly understands and values the process of healing.
Olivia now practises in a way that offers her patients hope, giving insight and motivation to anyone struggling in a situation that seems beyond their control. She believes that we can all learn to heal from the inside out, with courage, compassion and connection.
Back on My Feet is for anyone facing adversity, anyone searching for hope and anyone who loves a powerful, inspirational story of perseverance.
When Dr Olivia Ong was struck by a car and suffered a catastrophic spinal injury, her prognosis was devastating. Experts told her she would never walk again. The future she had envisioned - practising medicine, having children and sharing life's simple joys with her husband, family and friends - seemed to slip away.
What followed was an extraordinary journey of resilience, requiring years of intensive physical therapy, unwavering determination and the relentless support of her loved ones. Against the odds, Olivia regained the ability to walk and returned to medicine, specialising in rehabilitation and pain management.
Olivia also discovered something profound as she transformed in heart and self-compassion. This newfound empathy not only made her stronger, it also made her a better human being and doctor - one who truly understands and values the process of healing.
Olivia now practises in a way that offers her patients hope, giving insight and motivation to anyone struggling in a situation that seems beyond their control. She believes that we can all learn to heal from the inside out, with courage, compassion and connection.
Back on My Feet is for anyone facing adversity, anyone searching for hope and anyone who loves a powerful, inspirational story of perseverance.
Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 11, 2026
i usually don't read memoirs, but back on my feet was so worth reading. beautifully written, this is the story of dr. olivia ong, a rehabilitation physician, whose life drastically changes after a car accident in 2008. this is a deeply personal story of recovery and resilience, and determination to continue living your life the way you deserve.
the descriptions will elicit a visceral reaction, and you can truly feel the depth of olivia's emotions. first, as she recounts what life was like for her before the accident, and then after, as she undergoes years of intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, while continuing to work toward becoming a doctor.
what made this such a good memoir for me is how introspective every chapter is. olivia is such an incredible writer, and the way she constructs her sentences and chooses what words to include feels very intentional. in each sentence, she looks into her life, her grief and her determination to become a rehabilitation physician herself. there are so many moments across the book that will stay with you, and leave you also feeling emotional. some of my favourite moments in the book come from the scenes at project walk, and all the people she meets during her time there.
back on my feet is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time, and i feel utterly grateful to have read it at the stage of life i'm currently at. olivia's story is a lesson in never giving up, and i hope to be as brave and determined as she has been.
thank you yinfluence and harper collins australia for sending me a copy of the book!
the descriptions will elicit a visceral reaction, and you can truly feel the depth of olivia's emotions. first, as she recounts what life was like for her before the accident, and then after, as she undergoes years of intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, while continuing to work toward becoming a doctor.
what made this such a good memoir for me is how introspective every chapter is. olivia is such an incredible writer, and the way she constructs her sentences and chooses what words to include feels very intentional. in each sentence, she looks into her life, her grief and her determination to become a rehabilitation physician herself. there are so many moments across the book that will stay with you, and leave you also feeling emotional. some of my favourite moments in the book come from the scenes at project walk, and all the people she meets during her time there.
back on my feet is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time, and i feel utterly grateful to have read it at the stage of life i'm currently at. olivia's story is a lesson in never giving up, and i hope to be as brave and determined as she has been.
thank you yinfluence and harper collins australia for sending me a copy of the book!
March 1, 2026
The final chapter in particular was a standout for me. I think the author definitely achieved what she set out to do. This book is an inspiring read and a beautiful story of resilience, companionship and the intricacies of navigating a career in medicine as a woman but also after having experienced life on the other side of the doctor-patient therapeutic relationship.
March 7, 2026
Memoirs aren’t usually a genre I gravitate toward, but this one absolutely pulled me in.
Back On My Feet tells the story of Dr Olivia Ong, a rehabilitation doctor whose life changed in an instant after being struck by a car in 2008, leaving her with a devastating spinal cord injury and the life changing prognosis that she would never walk again. What follows is not just a story of physical recovery, but a deeply personal journey through resilience, grief, determination, and ultimately transformation.
I listened to this in audiobook format, narrated by Olivia herself, and I genuinely think that elevated the experience. Hearing her tell her own story in her own voice made everything feel far more intimate. It didn’t feel like someone reading a memoir to me, it felt like sitting across from her, listening as she reflected on the twists and turns that brought her to where she is today.
One of the most moving elements of the book is the love between Olivia and her partner, John. Their relationship runs like a quiet thread through the entire story, and the moments where Olivia reflects on the different ways people show love and support were particularly powerful. It’s not always grand gestures, sometimes it’s patience, presence, and simply staying when things are hard.
Another fascinating aspect was hearing about the differences in treatment approaches between the Australian healthcare system and certain rehabilitation centres in the United States. As someone outside the medical field, I found that insight incredibly interesting and it added another layer to the story of her recovery and return to medicine.
What really stayed with me, though, was Olivia’s reflection on self-compassion. After everything she endured - physically, emotionally, and professionally - the way she reframed healing and brought that understanding into her work as a doctor is incredibly inspiring.
This is ultimately a story about perseverance, but it’s also about growth, empathy, and finding new meaning in the life you didn’t expect to live.
If you enjoy memoirs that explore resilience and the human spirit, especially those that feel honest and deeply personal, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Back On My Feet tells the story of Dr Olivia Ong, a rehabilitation doctor whose life changed in an instant after being struck by a car in 2008, leaving her with a devastating spinal cord injury and the life changing prognosis that she would never walk again. What follows is not just a story of physical recovery, but a deeply personal journey through resilience, grief, determination, and ultimately transformation.
I listened to this in audiobook format, narrated by Olivia herself, and I genuinely think that elevated the experience. Hearing her tell her own story in her own voice made everything feel far more intimate. It didn’t feel like someone reading a memoir to me, it felt like sitting across from her, listening as she reflected on the twists and turns that brought her to where she is today.
One of the most moving elements of the book is the love between Olivia and her partner, John. Their relationship runs like a quiet thread through the entire story, and the moments where Olivia reflects on the different ways people show love and support were particularly powerful. It’s not always grand gestures, sometimes it’s patience, presence, and simply staying when things are hard.
Another fascinating aspect was hearing about the differences in treatment approaches between the Australian healthcare system and certain rehabilitation centres in the United States. As someone outside the medical field, I found that insight incredibly interesting and it added another layer to the story of her recovery and return to medicine.
What really stayed with me, though, was Olivia’s reflection on self-compassion. After everything she endured - physically, emotionally, and professionally - the way she reframed healing and brought that understanding into her work as a doctor is incredibly inspiring.
This is ultimately a story about perseverance, but it’s also about growth, empathy, and finding new meaning in the life you didn’t expect to live.
If you enjoy memoirs that explore resilience and the human spirit, especially those that feel honest and deeply personal, this is absolutely worth picking up.
March 17, 2026
AMAZING. truly amazing story she is amazing !! her journey of finding increased self compassion, in her recovery and in medicine, was beautifully told and i think something that more people need to have in medicine
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews