3 out of 4 stars
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Are you aware that one organ donor can save up to eight lives? Based on his experience as the recipient of lifesaving organs, Rod Spadinger shares his thoughts and reflections in his nonfiction tribute, A Collection of 50 Stories Inspired By My Angel Donor, Joni Marie.
Spadinger resorted to shopping online after he became unable to push a grocery cart due to poor lung function from cystic fibrosis. The week before his 45th birthday, Spadinger was given a second chance at life when he received a double lung and liver transplant. Words cannot express the gratitude he has for his organ donor. How do you thank someone whose death saved your life?
Although the book is described as a collection of stories, Spadinger's first-person narrative is written more like a journal and gathered from a series of blog posts. The 50 numbered and dated entries range from a paragraph to a few pages. Despite the book's brevity, the collection is quite comprehensive. Some of the reflections are contemplative, and others are informative. For example, in addition to organ donation, Spadinger shares the many benefits of tissue donation such as skin, bone, and heart valves. He also contrasts his life before and after the transplants; not having to begin each day with treatments and being able to travel at the last minute are just a few of his new-found freedoms.
I particularly like Spadinger's expressions of gratitude to his donor for his lifesaving transplants. His passion for spreading the word about the impact that organ donors can make is equally contagious, and I admire his commitment to share proceeds from the sale of the book with the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation and the Wounded Warriors Foundation, in honor of his father.
The only thing I dislike about the book is the number of incomplete sentences. Spadinger writes as though he is speaking, and although it doesn't detract from the book as a whole, the incomplete sentences are incorrect. The content appears to be gathered from blog posts, and while some bloggers casually ignore grammar, I am required to note the errors.
The number of grammatic errors necessitates the deduction of a star. Therefore, I rate the otherwise informative and inspirational book 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend it as a source of encouragement for readers who may be struggling with CF or other health issues. It will also appeal to those interested in organ donation.
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A Collection of 50 Stories Inspired By My Angel Donor, Joni Marie
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