Never Give Up!: How Tragedy Taught Me That Life Is an Attitude

by Ron Heagy, Donita Dyer

At age 17, Ron Heagy was handsome, robust, and a star athlete in high school football and wrestling. Then a dive at the beach changed his life forever, making him a quadriplegic. Now in his 30s, Ron is an accomplished painter who has earned his masters degree and developed a ministry of counseling other disabled people. He also travels and speaks nationwide, sharing his incredible positive attitude. Many of these speaking engagements are high school assemblies, where Ron holds kids spellbound between laughter and tears as he shares his story and what he has learned. Not only is Life Is an Attitude a fascinating story, it also tells of our need for a meaningful, personal encounter with the sovereignty of God.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Laura Amado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 14. Today, I'm 32 and it is still one of my favorite books in the "self-help" category even though I consider it more a biography of someone full of gratitude and courage.

[Rachel Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very boring read. written in the context of a ten year old who doesn't know any big words.

[Jakki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since hearing Ron speak at Oregon's Right-to-Life Conference many years ago then later taking my disabled daughter to meet him at his "Camp Attitude" for the disabled, I wanted to read his biography. Like Joni Earakson Tada's story, his life also was changed by a diving accident as a teenager.

Unlike Joni, he comes across as arrogant even through his recovery...BIT I loved his sense of humor and honesty.

[Bridget Chumbley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in inspiration!

[Suzanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, you will be reminded that your only true choice in life is your attitude. If this book doesn't convict you of that fact, then nothing will. What a blessing to read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heard Mr. Heagy speak at church several years ago. He is an inspirational speaker. The book is great!

[Barbara Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everytime I start feeling sorry for myself I think of Ron...my attitude changes fast!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspiring

[Ashleigh Cartmill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, but it lacked the humor and spirit Heagy had when I heard him speak. It was still a story about perseverance, but I missed his voice in it.

[Carl Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Give Up! is about Ron Heagy’s story about overcoming the issues of being a quadriplegic and his journey about coming to terms with being paralyzed from the neck down. He was once considered a Big Man on campus, a person with an ego larger than his muscles and one with a charismatic personality but his life is changed after a terrible diving accident and he is commissioned to come to terms with a new lifestyle. This book illustrates how Heagy struggles with the repeating theme of guilt of burden. He explains this when he attempts to commit suicide by drowning himself; but, after his dad saves him, he realizes that he is loved and that is why he is given the support that he is given. I would recommend this to anyone and especially to people which are struggling with depression because Ron Heagy is essentially dealt a deck of cards with in return puts him through depression but he learns to accept his paralytic lifestyle and learns that being paralyzed does not have to ruin the fun in life. The style that Heagy writes in allows the reader to understand the impact of every situation and every moment to the fullest. I really do enjoy how much effort has been put in to describe just what it is like to be a paralyzed person and especially because I am an average built guy it is easy to put myself in his place. If there is anything I dislike, it is the amount of enduring sad feelings that come out mostly because I am sympathetic and I can emotionally feel all the sadness and depression that spills out of the story of Ron Heagy. Overall, this is a wonderful story and I would recommend a good five star rating because the structure of being in the moment of every story, the storyline, and the overall message which are significant and inspirational making the read a very fun experience. Also people whom are religious would also enjoy this because as he states that even though God has given us obstacles, God has also given us gifts we need to overcome those obstacles. I would say that if a school was willing to commit to let students use books on the side of Christianity and religion.