My Heroes Ask Wallflowers to Dance

by Jennifer Sabin Sattley

"I have now read this book more than once. I want to be clear about my response. It is one of the most powerful, inspiring, personal journeys I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I have never read anything like it before. I give it my highest possible recommendation. Although I am personally familiar with Jennifer's story, I was unprepared for how deeply it inspired me to want to be a better person." - S. Eric Ottesen

My childhood memories are sweet and wonderful - except for my memories of cystic fibrosis (CF), the number one genetic killer of children and young adults in the United States. As I grew up with my brothers and sister, I can now see that we were just kids being kids-loving life in the present, oblivious of the future and not knowing how much we would treasure our past.

Justin, my witty, zealous, older brother, had many reasons to not feel like smiling. He had even more reasons not to feel like dancing. After all, his physicians had told him he wasn't supposed to live past the age of nineteen due to CF. Still, Justin was always the first one grinning on the dance floor as he asked "wallflowers" to dance. Justin had an uncanny ability to look past his wants, pain and discomfort and to instead focus on becoming a wallflower's knight in shining armor.

While still mourning Justin's passing, my own lung capacity became critical and shrunk to the size of a silver dollar. In order to save my life, more than 30 friends stepped forward, offering to donate lobes of their lungs. From tragedy to triumph, "My Heroes Ask Wallflowers to Dance" chronicles my family's struggles to live with a terminal illness while at the same time celebrating the courageous human spirit, Christ-like love and selfless sacrifice.

Genres: Memoir

186 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2012

Reviews

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Jennifer has a story to tell and testimony of faith and trust in God that is inspiring and reminds us that life is a beautiful gift and we are all here to learn, grow, love and share in each others journey in whatever way we can to help and uplift. I want to be better because of reading this! What a blessing to read this incredible story of living life with complete confidence in the Lord.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this doesn't say too much about me - but I don't really read biographies/autobiographies. So when this started I thought I wouldn't enjoy it. I was, however, quickly captivated and found this account of Jenny's life story and that of her brother's to be very real, emotional, educational and inspiring. Every now and again it is a good (humbling) experience to read the hardships of others. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about CF and it has opened my eyes to the fact that we should never judge or feel it is our place to comment on others differences. Jenny offered some great quotes that inspired me and I am glad I read this book.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I am ordering 40 copies of this book today should tell you how I feel about the author and the content. I have not read a more moving story since I first read Les Miserables 20 years ago. This book is what I am giving to my children and friends for Christmas. I encourage you to do the same! Thank you Jennifer for your inspiring story.

[Rachel Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story about an incredible family and their experience with Cystic Fibrosis. So much faith, so much love, and so many miracles.

[Brittani Pierce]

I don’t know how to rate this book so I won’t. The experiences in the lives of this family are heartbreaking and inspiring. I was especially touched by the living donors who were willing to go through a painful and risky operation to save a girl they barely knew. After finishing the book, I was delighted to find the author’s social media and see she is still alive and hopefully well. Her story from a survivor perspective is truly beautiful. I learned a lot about CF too and that was interesting (and sad)!

The book itself needs a lot of work. Some parts felt disjointed. An LDS background isn’t necessarily required, but helpful to understand the many references to the faith. Some of the life advice throughout the book didn’t exactly sit with me- it wasn’t that is was necessarily bad advice, I just didn’t feel it fit into the book super well. I honestly didn’t read the last few pages of life lessons. Overall I think this book in its current form is best for a close family and friends audience, but if you can approach it with that in mind, the underlying story of the author’s life is a worthwhile one!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin was a good friend of mine in high school. I Was lucky enough to go to one of his school dances with him. This book was so eye-opening for me. I had no idea he was going through so much. Also, now reading it through the eyes of a mother, I have so much art and respect for Justin and Jen‘s parents who must have had their hearts wrenched every day. I was also so amazed that two people would go through so much to save Jen‘s life. I am inspired to be better after reading this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful and even though sad, still uplifting. Please read this, you won't be disappointed!

[Grandma Krazy]

Loved this well written and emotional story. Once I started, I could not stop until it was finished.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!!!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tricky review. The story is excellent. I cried multiple times and was extremely invested (I think the San Diego setting and shared faith contributed to that). I was moved and inspired and learned so much about CF. That being said, it's pretty terribly produced. Not great writing, editing, or style, and that was difficult to get past, but obviously I did, because I still think it deserves four stars for how inspired I am.

A poem she wrote as a teenager:

"My heart throbs in relentless agony
Like none I have ever know before
Tears flood my eyes
And shamelessly stain my cheeks
Piercing wails of heartache
Sobs of desperate pain
Consume my very being
My body trembles with the overwhelming sorrow
As I lay cradling myself on the ground
Hands clenced
Strained with emotion
I cannot go on

Amidst my choking anguish
"Oh Father In Heaven,
Strengthen me,
Comfort me"
Is my plea
Softening my cry
Arms of love and peace embrace me
Enveloping me in a calm undeniable warmth
They sooth my pounding heart
Quiet my wails of grief
And the encompassing love tells me
I can go on."

[Kenzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book because it is largely about my husband's dear friend from high school and his family's struggles with cystic fibrosis. Sattley has done an amazing job with this book. There are occasional typos, as she isn't an accomplished author, but they are easy to overlook. I found it difficult to put the book down and found myself reading late into the night. I was moved by her mother and father's endless sacrifices and love. It made me want to be a better mother and certainly made me so grateful for the blessing of good health that we enjoy in our family. The story is so heartbreaking at times, yet there are moments of humor and strength weaved throughout. You'll love it, I promise!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

For myself, this book is extremely meaningful considering I am related to the author. Aside from that, it is very useful for anyone to read to 1.) gain understanding of and empathy for families who have lost a child, 2.) realize what some people struggle through every day and we never know it (even though she is my relative, I did not expect her health was this level of challenging because she is always so positive and sparkly happy), and 3.) learn how a person with such monumental challenges can actually be completely filled with joy and hardly any worry because of her faith in Jesus Christ.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO inspirational. It made me cry often smile often and want to be a better person. This book has encouraged me to pray more often and get to know my Heavenly Father better as well as want to read my scriptures more. This book shows how to be a true disciple of God through service and love, thank you Jenny Sabin for your beautiful book. This is exactly the type of book our Heavenly Father would want all of his children to read.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting story that needs professional editing. Worthwhile reading despite that.

[Kim Wetzker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I know some of the people in this book, I didn't know the entire story. Amazing insight and great perspective.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it will a box of tissues. Very inspiring story of truly amazing Christ-like people.