How I Roll: Life, Love, and Work After a Spinal Cord Injury

by J. Bryant Neville Jr.

“An unflinching look at what it's like to be a quadriplegic.” – Dan Gottlieb, PhD
This is the inspiring story of a Virginia country boy—J. Bryant Neville, Jr.—who became a quadriplegic thirty years ago after a car wreck, and how he refused to accept the medical sentence of a life unrealized. Hard work, devoted family, a caring community, and a determination to live as fiercely as his body would allow helped Bryant Neville earn two college degrees, become a respected banking executive, a loving husband and provider, an adoptive parent, and a biological father.

Some 250,000 Americans live with spinal cord injury and impairment. On average, thirty more sustain a spinal cord injury every day. Bryant Neville’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone facing a physical setback who needs proof that life can go on and dreams can be realized, and a guide for those who love and care for them.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

123 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2012

Reviews

[Virginia Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart warming, uplifting, and honest. Enjoyed Bryant's story very much. I can't give it five stars though because it lacks a professional edit, which made a lot of sentences hard to comprehend on first read. Otherwise, a great account of overcoming hardship.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this although it was a hard read in places as you went through Bryant's accident with him, especially seeing the photo of him taken shortly before the accident and knowing he would never be able to heal to become that young carefree boy again. That said, he sounds like a truly inspirational man who has taken life with both hands in the only way he can and overcome his mental difficulties with his disability to push forward with a successful career, happy marriage and (I hope) a happy and fulfilling life. I would read more by this author.

[William Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story-telling of a triumph after imaginable tragedy. Needs a good proofread.

[ShareStories · Rating 2 out of 5]

How I Roll by Bryant Neville, Jr. is an autobiography of sorts, about how Bryant Neville dealt with his sudden quadriplegia at the age of 17.

I found myself wanting more from this book. I wanted more about the difficult times and how they affected Neville's emotions. In spite of the reported "unflinching look" at the affect of his disability on his life, or perhaps because of it, I found his reflections to be overly positive.

I also found myself wanting the book to tie up loose ends and unfinished parts of the story.

It didn't go deep enough for me.

[Patricia Ibarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

When he was 17 Bryan, with so many plans ahead and desires to live a whole life, had a car accident that left him quadraplegic. In this book he describes everything he had to live through and all his struggles to give meaning to his life. He lived in a small village, where the small-knit community played a significant role in his development. Another motivating force was his faith in God. A book that helps us remember that we should not always take everything for granted and to turn our attention downward; there will always be somebody living something worse than we do.

[melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Honest and insightful. The author gives us a straightforward and intimate memoir of his life after a terrible accident that leaves him completely changed. I couldn't stop reading.

[Patsy Crawford]

1/10/13 Free on Kindle suggested book.