Never Say Die

by Melanie Davies

W sobotni, majowy poranek 1980 roku Melanie Bowen, ładna piętnastoletnia dziewczyna, chwyciła skórzaną kurtkę i wybiegła z domu. Na przekór losowi to prawdziwa opowieść o tym, co stało się później… Po wypadku motocyklowym, w wyniku którego została sparaliżowana od klatki piersiowej w dół, życie nie szczędziło Melanie ekstremalnych przeżyć. Przetrwała miesiące rozpaczy i upokorzeń podczas rehabilitacji, brała udział w kolejnym poważnym wypadku samochodowym, rozpoznano u niej raka piersi. Z pozytywów, wygrywała zawody lekkoatletyczne w Walii, otarła się o świat filmu i powołała do życia własną fundację. Znalazła też, na przekór losowi, trwałe szczęście zakochując się i wychodząc za mąż za chirurga, który 25 lat wcześniej poinformował ją, że już nigdy nie będzie mogła chodzić.

Genres: Nonfiction

345 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great inspiration for those who may be truly handicapped or those who are just letting themselves go because life threw a curve at them. Melanie lets nothing bring her down and has overcame all the misfortunes that have befallen her. Not only did she made something of her life (most ppl in her condition would have just let life pass them by without doing anything productive), she even made it a point to help others. She may be handicapped physically, but she sure has got spunk and squares it out with destiny.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I don't have a spinal injury, I do use a wheelchair. I chose to buy this as the title and synopsis grabbed me . It is a very well written account.

[Sophie Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing story of an amazing woman!

What a rollercoaster of emotions and life changing challenges that Mel has overcome. A journey of courage, determination, and resilience. A woman who found a way to be enabled and empowered before disability rights and legislation were established. A woman who was surprised by love along the way.

[Peter Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, honest and compelling account of the devastating accident and its consequences that confined Melanie Davies to a wheelchair at the age of 15, and how through positive thinking and determination she overcame all the obstacles to find the love of her life. Highly recommended.

[Rebecca Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Inspirational and to read about my local area was even more fascinating. Sadly, when I looked further into Melanie's life since the book, I found out she passed away in April this year at just 56.

[Marion Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paralysed from the chest down after a motorcycle accident at age 15, Melanie tells her life story.She is brave, strong and a force to be reckoned with.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a Saturday morning in May 1980, Melanie Bowen, a pretty fifteen year old, grabbed her leather jacket and crash helmet, yelled a goodbye, and then walked out of the front door into the sunshine for what was to be the last time in her life. 'Never Say Die' is the true story of what followed...
Since the motorcycle crash that left her paralysed from the chest down, Melanie's life has been one of extremes. She endured months of despair and indignity in rehabilitation, was in another serious car crash, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. On the plus side, she's won medals in the athletics for Wales, dabbled with the film world and set up her own rehabilitation charity.
She has also, against all the odds, found lasting happiness, having fallen in love with and married the surgeon who 25 years earlier told her she would never walk again. This is Melanie's story.

I'm not a big fan of non-fiction, but a friend lent it to me so I thought I should read it. The fact that I read it in a day shows how much it kept my attention. Had it been a fictional novel, you would have been rolling your eyes at the amount of things that go wrong for this poor woman... the fact that it's true is heart-breaking and a true testament to Melanie's courage and drive. Definitely worth reading!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring story

Melanie shared her life story of injury with grace and even touches of humor. I admire her very much for her ability to accept all that has happened to her, when most people would simply give up. I have FSHD, a form of progressive muscular dystrophy, and plan to recommend this book to my Facebook group.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspirational true story of Melanie Davies who has never let anything get in her way. A very compelling read.