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Driven: A remarkable story of tragedy, triumph and faith
On September 29, 1988, eighteen-year-old Mike Cafferty was cruising the streets of Chicago’s South Side after midnight with his buddies. Like millions of teenagers, he thought he was invincible. Quicker than a flash, his life changed forever. Mike woke up in a hospital with screws in his head, surrounded by his family, including his stoic father and hysterical mother. Once a champion swimmer, Mike was told he’d lost use of his body from his shoulders down. He would be a quadriplegic for life.
Driven is the gripping, funny, inspirational memoir of that devastating night and the courageous days and years that follow. From the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, Driven takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of devastation and despair, alcoholism, love and loss, and ultimately perseverance, achievement, faith and family.
Along the way, Driven shows the incomprehensible challenges those with severe disabilities face as it inspires anyone to overcome obstacles in their own lives.
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Driven author Mike Cafferty is a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down from a car accident in September, 1988. He uses a sip-and-puff wheelchair to ambulate, a voice-activated computer program to type and utilize his computer; and a mouth stick to turn pages, write and dial and answer the telephone.
Mr. Cafferty is a lifelong resident of Chicago, growing up Catholic on the city’s South Side with two sisters and immigrant parents from Ireland. After his accident, he attended Junior college then attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. He later graduated from DePaul University College of Law and is currently an attorney for the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office in Chicago, assisting mentally incompetent clients with their personal and financial affairs. He is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Spinal Cord Injury Association. Mr. Cafferty now lives on Chicago’s Near West Side with his wife of 10 years and two adorable children. He was recently diagnosed with stage IV colon and liver cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy.
Driven is the gripping, funny, inspirational memoir of that devastating night and the courageous days and years that follow. From the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, Driven takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of devastation and despair, alcoholism, love and loss, and ultimately perseverance, achievement, faith and family.
Along the way, Driven shows the incomprehensible challenges those with severe disabilities face as it inspires anyone to overcome obstacles in their own lives.
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Driven author Mike Cafferty is a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down from a car accident in September, 1988. He uses a sip-and-puff wheelchair to ambulate, a voice-activated computer program to type and utilize his computer; and a mouth stick to turn pages, write and dial and answer the telephone.
Mr. Cafferty is a lifelong resident of Chicago, growing up Catholic on the city’s South Side with two sisters and immigrant parents from Ireland. After his accident, he attended Junior college then attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. He later graduated from DePaul University College of Law and is currently an attorney for the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office in Chicago, assisting mentally incompetent clients with their personal and financial affairs. He is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Spinal Cord Injury Association. Mr. Cafferty now lives on Chicago’s Near West Side with his wife of 10 years and two adorable children. He was recently diagnosed with stage IV colon and liver cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy.
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First published January 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 20, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that I write this review as I have just learned of the recent death of Michael Cafferty.
On Sept 29, 1988, 18 yr old Mike Cafferty was out with his buddies, cruising the streets of Chicago's south side. In an instant his life changed forever. He woke up in a hospital, a quadriplegic for life.
This is the story of that devastating night and the courageous days and years that follow. It shows the unbelievably numerous challenges those with severe disabilities face and his story inspires anyone to conquer obstacles of their own. A true inspiration!
Mike attended Junior College then the University of Illinois. He later graduated from DePaul University College of Law. He devoted his entire career to helping others as an attorney at the Cook County Public Guardians Office. He was married for 10 years with two young children.
Sadly he was recently diagnosed with Stage IV colon and liver cancer.
I highly recommend reading Mike Cafferty's story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wayzgoose Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
On Sept 29, 1988, 18 yr old Mike Cafferty was out with his buddies, cruising the streets of Chicago's south side. In an instant his life changed forever. He woke up in a hospital, a quadriplegic for life.
This is the story of that devastating night and the courageous days and years that follow. It shows the unbelievably numerous challenges those with severe disabilities face and his story inspires anyone to conquer obstacles of their own. A true inspiration!
Mike attended Junior College then the University of Illinois. He later graduated from DePaul University College of Law. He devoted his entire career to helping others as an attorney at the Cook County Public Guardians Office. He was married for 10 years with two young children.
Sadly he was recently diagnosed with Stage IV colon and liver cancer.
I highly recommend reading Mike Cafferty's story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wayzgoose Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
May 17, 2024
Mike's strong narrative voice tells his inspiring life's story in an honest, humble and sometimes gut-wrenching manner that triggers deep emotions. I was one of Mike's many assistants. He became a good friend and mentor as I explored my faith in college. I am so grateful he was able to finish this book before he passed. I enjoyed hearing his voice again in my head, cracking jokes and telling it like it is. Mike delivers the gift of his insights with passion, grace, humor, and above all, love. May his family always find comfort in these written words. And may this book find others who need Mike's message.
March 19, 2020
Very powerful read. Heartbreaking, but also made me laugh and smile. I cannot imagine what Mike went through but he showed real strength and commitment. I’d imagine if I was in his position life would be over , so to see all he achieved is fantastic. Shows life really is what you make of it. Very well written. Great to read.
March 23, 2020
Ordinarily I'm not one to celebrate the glories of powerful men! I've so often been disappointed by the shallowness and vanity I run up against in their company.
But this is a book about someone worth knowing, someone extraordinary.
Mike Cafferty was a bright young guy who faced death and emerged as a man full of life. Reading this book is not a literary experience--it is an authentic journey that the author shares with you, and every word is true and his own.
Travel his triumphant life with him--for sure you will be amazed and inspired, and if you're like me, you'll fall in love.
But this is a book about someone worth knowing, someone extraordinary.
Mike Cafferty was a bright young guy who faced death and emerged as a man full of life. Reading this book is not a literary experience--it is an authentic journey that the author shares with you, and every word is true and his own.
Travel his triumphant life with him--for sure you will be amazed and inspired, and if you're like me, you'll fall in love.
January 29, 2020
This is an amazing testament to the power of endurance after a tragedy. The author's life changed in an instant the evening he became a quadriplegic. He could no longer swim competitively or partake in other activities that he enjoyed. The author wrote a raw memoir on how hard it was to overcome this tragedy in his life and become an attorney. Unfortunately, I read that the author passed away due to cancer after writing this book.
September 7, 2022
I was one of Mike's many assistants so I already knew he was amazing, but his book is so inspiring! He went through way more than I knew or could've imagined. I'm so glad he was able to complete this book, it's totally worth the read!
May 5, 2020
May 4th, 2020 is significant because my friend Mike Cafferty would have celebrated his 50th birthday today. He was the type of person who always did what he could to help others and he loved his family more than anything in the world. I highly encourage everyone to read Mike's memoir. It chronicles a life rich with courage and joy despite his severe disability of quadriplegia and all that accompanies it. Thank you to all who read it and help Mike's wonderful story endure.
May 8, 2020
Driven by Mike Cafferty, J.D.
Brief Summary: When he is only 18 Mike is paralyzed in a car accident and sustains a spinal cord injury(SCI). This is his story of overcoming medical complications to go on to college, law school, marriage and fatherhood. He details so many issues well known to those of us who live with SCI including unreliable caregivers, challenges with dating and sexuality, and adjusting to a new normal. I live with SCI myself and love reading books written by others with SCI.
Highlights: I loved hearing about his time in college and law school and how he navigated dating and sexuality. I loved that he did not shy away from the intimate details of bowel and bladder care and sexuality. I really appreciated that he included mental health and adjustment issues. Overall, I found him easy to relate to; especially his Catholic upbringing. I was very saddened to learn that he passed away to cancer earlier this year.
Explanation of Rating: 4/5; this was an easy and engaging read that will help anyone better understand what it’s like to live with SCI.
Favorite Quotes: And you know damned well your mouth and tongue ain’t paralyzed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Wayzgoose Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Brief Summary: When he is only 18 Mike is paralyzed in a car accident and sustains a spinal cord injury(SCI). This is his story of overcoming medical complications to go on to college, law school, marriage and fatherhood. He details so many issues well known to those of us who live with SCI including unreliable caregivers, challenges with dating and sexuality, and adjusting to a new normal. I live with SCI myself and love reading books written by others with SCI.
Highlights: I loved hearing about his time in college and law school and how he navigated dating and sexuality. I loved that he did not shy away from the intimate details of bowel and bladder care and sexuality. I really appreciated that he included mental health and adjustment issues. Overall, I found him easy to relate to; especially his Catholic upbringing. I was very saddened to learn that he passed away to cancer earlier this year.
Explanation of Rating: 4/5; this was an easy and engaging read that will help anyone better understand what it’s like to live with SCI.
Favorite Quotes: And you know damned well your mouth and tongue ain’t paralyzed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Wayzgoose Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
May 8, 2020
Driven by Mike Cafferty, J.D.
Brief Summary: When he is only 18 Mike is paralyzed in a car accident and sustains a spinal cord injury(SCI). This is his story of overcoming medical complications to go on to college, law school, marriage and fatherhood. He details so many issues well known to those of us who live with SCI including unreliable caregivers, challenges with dating and sexuality, and adjusting to a new normal. I live with SCI myself and love reading books written by others with SCI.
Highlights: I loved hearing about his time in college and law school and how he navigated dating and sexuality. I loved that he did not shy away from the intimate details of bowel and bladder care and sexuality. I really appreciated that he included mental health and adjustment issues. Overall, I found him easy to relate to; especially his Catholic upbringing. I was very saddened to learn that he passed away to cancer earlier this year.
Explanation of Rating: 4/5; this was an easy and engaging read that will help anyone better understand what it’s like to live with SCI.
Favorite Quotes: And you know damned well your mouth and tongue ain’t paralyzed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Wayzgoose Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Brief Summary: When he is only 18 Mike is paralyzed in a car accident and sustains a spinal cord injury(SCI). This is his story of overcoming medical complications to go on to college, law school, marriage and fatherhood. He details so many issues well known to those of us who live with SCI including unreliable caregivers, challenges with dating and sexuality, and adjusting to a new normal. I live with SCI myself and love reading books written by others with SCI.
Highlights: I loved hearing about his time in college and law school and how he navigated dating and sexuality. I loved that he did not shy away from the intimate details of bowel and bladder care and sexuality. I really appreciated that he included mental health and adjustment issues. Overall, I found him easy to relate to; especially his Catholic upbringing. I was very saddened to learn that he passed away to cancer earlier this year.
Explanation of Rating: 4/5; this was an easy and engaging read that will help anyone better understand what it’s like to live with SCI.
Favorite Quotes: And you know damned well your mouth and tongue ain’t paralyzed.
Thank you to Net Galley and Wayzgoose Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
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February 6, 2020An educational, inspirational read
So informative and inspiring. It made me think about how blessed I am. After all that Mike lost, he found ways to accept and persevere through every obstacle.
So informative and inspiring. It made me think about how blessed I am. After all that Mike lost, he found ways to accept and persevere through every obstacle.
January 23, 2022
This book heald my interest and I'm glad I read it
Awesome memoir about a young man who's whole life changes in a moment.
This was a good read for sure!
Awesome memoir about a young man who's whole life changes in a moment.
This was a good read for sure!
March 29, 2020
Mike Cafferty was a guy who got himself into a car accident as a teenager and sadly ended up a quadriplegic. I say 'sadly', but I got the impression that Mike was a really outgoing guy who made the absolute most of a bad situation - I think there's a lot we could learn from his outlook on life. This is a very powerful read, made even more so when you learn that Mike sadly passed away after writing this book. I certainly feel inspired by reading his story and hope that others can experience the same.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews