A Random Act: An Inspiring True Story of Fighting to Survive and Choosing to Forgive – A Powerful Memoir of Acid Attack and the Journey to Healing

by Cindi Broaddus, Kimberly Lohman Suiters

Cindi Broaddus didn't realize that her life was about to be forever altered as she sat in the passenger seat of a car on a lonely highway, speeding toward the airport in the early morning hours of June 5, 2001. A single mother of three and a delighted new grandmother, she was thinking only of her well-earned vacation when a gallon jar of sulfuric acid, tossed from an overpass by an unknown assailant, came crashing through the windshield. In a heartbeat, Cindi was showered with glass and flesh-eating liquid, leaving her screaming in agony and burned almost beyond recognition. A Random Act is the riveting firsthand account of a brutal and senseless attack and its aftermath. Much more than one remarkable woman's chronicle of an unthinkable tragedy and amazing recovery, Cindi's story is one of hope and transcendence, born of a conscious and dedicated determination to turn a nightmarish experience into something positive and uplifting. Her unforgettable journey back to life and a gloriously renewed sense of purpose offers illuminating truths about love, healing, and the astounding power of choice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Marc]

It is a potentially compelling story. Of course her life was nearly ended by a truly senseless act. At the end of Chapter 2, she had me hooked and on her side.

Then the story just descends into endless repetition, a mantra of how noble this lady is. Oh by the way, did I tell you? Dr. Phil is her brother-in-law. This too is repeated often.

The drama just gets tired very fast. I wish I could say the author and her story kept me sympathetic, and engaged but it just did not. She seems more impressed with the Senate proceedings that named a law after her, or getting VIP parking at Cowboys football game. The story is superficial and sometimes almost celeb seeking in the way that American culture has proceeded.

As for "Choosing to forgive" from the subtitle, I don't get the sense that her forgiveness is either genuine or more than platitudes. The Epilogue has one short phrase, a platitude at that, "--some good has come from such evil."

As books of survival go, Terry Waite's, Taken on Trust (1993) is among the best (review to be posted). A Random Act is on the turd heap for its execution, not because of the compelling gravity of the experience. A good story told of survival gone bad for the cause celeb.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book about a horrific event. It started off as being rather compelling. It's amazing what the human body can endure. However, as the book went on, instead of inspiring me it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted to hear about Jim but he was barely mentioned after doing his bit of helping to save her life. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt that she's not as self absorbed as the book made it seem. Maybe just poorly written?

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

How about being on your way to catch plane for vacation and instead a gallon of acid from an overpass lands in your car? This woman is simply amazing with her attitude and perseverance after all she's been through!

[Ghollon · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is tragic, the author admirable. The writing is amateurish and repetitive.

[Arlette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though this is a short story , it was still to long. I was actually feeling guilty for not being more absorbed in this tragic event .The beginning was really good and kept my interest, but after a certain point ....

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

a woman with a courage . She wen true Hell, because of evil act of stupidity . i hope that person that did that read this book, and learn the pain she suffer . and be a man and give yourself up .

[Pixismiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s nothing wrong with this book, but it’s only getting 3 stars.

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review; A Random Act by Cindi Broaddus.

This is a heart warming story about a woman 19s survival to live. Cindi 19s horrible ordeal and her journey back to life took tremendous strength to survive. She was seriously injured by the attack of toxic violence and for a time it was unknown if she would survive. Without any warning, a gallon jug filled with sulfuric acid came crashing through her windshield while driving beneath an underpass on the highway. Cindi was splattered with glass and drenched with sulfuric acid which caused severe burns all over her body.

This is a very moving story about how she went through years of recuperation and an endless number of skin grafts which were very painful. I felt through her character she had shown great strength and inspiration to all the people around her because she had so much courage and determination during her recovery. I believe being Dr. Phil 19s sister-in-law gave her the comfort and attitude she needed to move on with her life.

Like I said the story was inspirational but I felt the story was repetitive a lot about how brave she was. For a short story it was every bit about her. What about Jim Maxwell? He was the driver of the car and he also was burned and a victim but there was not much said about him or his recovery. I guess he 19ll have to write his own book 26.Plus, the family member were also brave and sacrificed a lot through the years of their mother 19s recovery.

I 19m happy and moved by Cindi 19s story and hope life brings her the happiness she deserves. Yet, others should have got some admiration too 26.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this made me briefly, but acutely, scared of life. The book happened to be sitting on a bookshelf at work, and I was able to read most of it during downtime. It reminds you of how anything can happen at anytime, as this woman was on the way to catch a 5am flight when a jar full of sulphuric acid was dropped from an overpass and crashed through the windshield - horrifying! I was gasping while reading this (and catching funny looks from people nearby) because parts of it are really difficult to read. Yet, the purpose of Broaddus' story is not to make us squirm, but to remind us to appreciate life and love. That's the gist of the book - such a seemingly simple idea sometimes requires such a horrendous experience. The story goes into the search for the perpetrator and how Broaddus dealt with forgiveness, but it serves as a reminder of how life can be completely changed by freak acts of violence, and yet the human spirit can remain indomitable. As the author tells it, the random act of violence she was victim to begat many random acts of kindness from not just her community, but complete strangers. Short and simply written, it shows people at their worst and their best.

[Melanie Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend loaned me this book to read when I finished my PhD coursework. I began reading it the evening I submitted my final paper, and I could not put it down. I stayed up reading late into the night until I finished it!

We all go through trials and challenges in life, and have all had experiences when the actions of another person have hurt us deeply. But reading the story of Cindi Broaddus put my own challenges into perspective. This is an amazing story of love, forgiveness, the will to not only survive, but to truly live, and to make the world a better place for others. Cindi Broaddus not only forgives the random act of violence, but dedicates her life to performing random acts of kindness. Her challenge to everyone is to overcome our own disappointments by serving others on a daily basis. It is something I have always believed and practiced, but I now have a renewed commitment to do so daily.

[Cherice · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational book. Her optimism is contagious. In 2001, Cindi Broaddus was riding with her friend Jim in the early morning hours to catch a flight to go on vacation. While travelling under an overpass bridge, a disturbed individual dropped a gallon jar of sulphuric acid on their car. Cindi was left with third degree burns on most of her body. It required years of reconstructive surgery, leaving her permanently scarred. Although her physical wounds will remain with her during this mortal life, her heart was never scarred with hate or bitterness. Instead, she and her daughters filled their lives with random acts of kindness. Inspiring.

** There is some swearing--mostly associated with her pain and the trauma of the event.**

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my former student Kimberly Lohman Suiters helped Cindi Broaddus write it. It's a moving account of the way Broaddus coped after an unknown person three a gallon jar of acid from an overpass on the the road where Broaddus and a friend were driving. The love of Broaddus' daughters and friends supported her through the painful recovery and surgeries. Broaddus, Dr. Phil's sister-in-law, came up with the idea of performing random acts of kindness as her way of giving her suffering meaning. The conversational style make the book a fast and fascinating hear. Kudos to Kim Lohman, Langley class of '88. You can see Kimberly on channel 4 where she hosts the weekend morning show. (No, this is not an commercial!)

[Kim Blackham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really neat for me to read right after Aaron finished his burn rotation. I understood better what this woman was experiencing in the hospital as well as the repercussions of all the surgeries. I wouldn't say that is was exceptionally written, but it was definately a story worth reading and a woman worth admiring.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story of a tragic random act and how she turned it into a wonderful lesson. It isn't the best written boook, but it was captivating and a easy read, I sat down and read it last night in about 2 1/2 hours. Good reminder of how we all should act.

[bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong and amazing woman, while reading the book I can't help but remember my mother who past away last February, she had colon cancer. The saddest part is that she really wants to attend my graduation last April but didn't make it. Ma, I really miss you and I love you.

[Jolandie Mielitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The point of this book is obviously to inspire people to stop wallowing and do something positive about your situation and be happy cause it could be worse.
The story could've been written better to make more of an impact. It inspires none of the less.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. She is a very brave woman with a touching story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad book because it is a true story and sad to think that people would do it. However outcome is the total opposite. The book was recommended in another book that I read previously.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Phil is lucky to have such a courageous sister-in-law. She is a remarkable lady who not only survived; but achieved true forgiveness and is definitely on a higher plane.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent book about finding peace within and moving on even after horrible things happen.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of survival and inspiration throughout and after a horrible and devastating incident that changed her and her familys lives forever.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRONG WOMAN! Dr. Phills sis in law or not. Well written and her strength gave me inner strength to change some things in my life. but now i give over passes a second thought, this book was amazing

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindi works for Mike and the surprising act of cruelty that happened to her one early morning was devastating. She is truly an incredibly strong woman!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story, and told well.

[Jane Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story how someone so tragically wounded finds the strength to survive and forgive.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring.

[Sherry Lynn Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cindi's random acts of kindness

Shes paving the way for random acts of kindness. I'm encouraged to do the same. SpreD the love. God is good!