Live the Impossible by Jenny Smith Book Review and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Smith was a typical teenager—a gymnast and athlete who loved hair and makeup, played in a band, and was active in her church youth group.

Then one bright summer morning, a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the chest down and dependent on others for her most basic needs. Privacy and independence seemed like things of the past.But Jenny refused to give up or give in to her disability, and over time she discovered that a wheelchair could take her places she’d never dared to imagine. She’s traveled multiple times to Afghanistan and Mexico for wheelchair distributions and sports camps, and even rolled the New York City runway as a model during Fashion Week.

Today, Jenny Smith is a spokesperson for independent and vibrant living with a disability. Her speeches, articles, and social media presence have touched thousands of lives.

In Live the Impossible, Smith shares what it looks like to live with paralysis, from the everyday details most people never think about, to the countless people who have impacted her life along the way. With honesty and humor, faith and fortitude, Jenny shows us how we can all live the impossible, even when life doesn’t go as planned.

Book: Live the Impossible. Author: Jenny Smith. Genre: Memoir

Release date: July, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

MY BOOK REVIEW

God puts things in your path for a reason. I needed to read Jenny Smith's new book "Live the Impossible" because it reminded me that I am not alone and not to give up. I need to trust GOD.

Jenny Smith, a 16-year-old teenager went from being a gymnast and then on a Summer Morning, she found herself with a Spinal Cord injury that left her paralyzed from the neck down.

Throughout the book, there are encouraging messages. She shares her life experience dealing with her spinal cord injury.

I suffer from spine problems myself. I also suffer from many more health conditions such as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Lupus, and Celiac. I understand what it feels like to have your life change from an injury. Her book reminded me that I am not alone and I am strong and can keep going. She was determined to stay independent, she had to learn how to live differently than before, but she still became independent. It is nice to hear she had some great doctors that never gave up on her. Those kinds of doctors are very hard to find nowadays. The biggest takeaway I got from Jenny Smith's book is to trust God and know whatever you are going through has a purpose and you are not alone. You are a strong person. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you have an amazing family or husband/wife/children etc. ask them for help. They love you and what the best for you. I know asking for help is one of the hardest things for me to do. I hate feeling like I am bugging people when I ask for help. Other things I took away from the book are to be confident, set realistic goals, ask God, and don't let your condition stop you from doing things. Jenny didn't let her spine injury stop her. She traveled overseas to help people get wheelchairs and did speeches. She didn't once complain about her situation. I highly recommend reading "Live the Impossible." This would make a wonderful Bible Study book or a women's Christian reading book club. I would love to see Jenny Smith's life story be made into a movie for Hallmark. It is beautifully written.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenny Smith is an advocate, peer mentor, and encourager for those living with spinal cord injuries, and anyone who has faced unexpected or seemingly impossible challenges. Her popular blog and YouTube channel, Jenny Smith Rolls On, explore the practical aspects of life as a quadriplegic. She also speaks to associations and businesses, schools and universities, and faith-based groups. Jenny works full-time supporting and encouraging cross-cultural workers. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where she rows on the Ohio River with the Louisville Adaptive Rowing program.

You can find out more about her on her website: CLICK HERE

More from Jenny

“I will never write a book.”

I can’t tell you how many times I said those words. How and why did I publish a book after saying I will never so many times?

For several years, I was writing as a side job for a medical supply company. To learn more about the craft of writing, I signed up for an online class. The instructor invited me to take her next class on writing your life story.

That’s when it happened. I felt a little tap on my shoulder and heard—or felt—the words, “It’s time.”

I groaned.

Since my spinal cord injury at the age of 16, I said never and that’s impossible innumerable times. I had said the words before traveling to Mexico and Afghanistan. As I dreamed of living independently as a quadriplegic. I’d said never to playing wheelchair tennis, rugby, and para-rowing. My words that’s impossible and never were proved wrong time and again.

So I started writing.

It turns out I’ve lived what I believed was impossible.

In July 2021, on the 32nd anniversary of my spinal cord injury, my family, friends, and community celebrated with me at the launch party for my memoir Live the Impossible.

Although the book centers on my story of becoming a quadriplegic at 16 and the trials and adventures that followed, the lessons I learned in the years to come are universal:

How I found my identity
The importance of taking a risk
How I became comfortable in my own body
Acknowledging I have little to offer and yet seeing God do things I could never imagine

We all have unexpected circumstances in life. But I believe we can all live the impossible, even when life doesn’t go as planned.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Jenny is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!