“Overall, this is a frank, no-nonsense account of living with a disability, edged with a razor-sharp wit… Bold, charming and inspirational.”
“With plainspoken eloquence, Francine Falk-Allen brings to life the rich palette of emotions of her lifelong battles with polio—the sorrows and joys, the heartbreaks and triumphs. Her book is funny, inspiring, and bitingly honest. It’s a revealing, constantly surprising story that shines a new light on the eternal human question: how can we make the most of our lives?”
“After thirty-five-plus years in publishing, this is the best personal manuscript I have ever encountered. [Falk-Allen has] a muscular style like Dave Eggers. [She has] made early childhood as compelling as Robert Louis Stevenson did. A strong, distinctive voice, coupled with an important story to tell.”
About Me
I had polio in 1951 at age three, was hospitalized for six months, and lived most of my life as a handicapped person trying to be a “normie.” I reside in Marin County with my husband, Richard Falk. I now and spend a good deal of time managing our home and garden, and a significant amount managing the effects of post-polio. And I write.