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Onward Forward -- My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck
Grand Prize Shortlist, Eric Hoffer Book Award
Finalist, First Horizon Award
Finalist, The Montaigne Medal
“Brian will remind you that our goal is not to create a life without problems, but instead to discover how to be fully engaged in our lives.” -Alanis Morissette, singer-songwriter & 7-time Grammy winner
“A postgraduate course on how to live in love with this crazy wonderful Life. I'll read it again and again.” -Steve Gleason, Former NFL player - New Orleans Saints & founder of Team Gleason
"Joyful, thought-provoking...for virtually anyone looking for better insights on how to construct and navigate life.“ -Midwest Book Review
Onward Forward is a book Brian Jeansonne would have written eventually. He wrote it now because ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, confined him to a power chair, silenced his voluntary muscles, and urged him to focus more deeply than ever on life’s most essential questions. In this heartfelt and irreverent memoir, Brian chronicles the disease process while exploring metaphysical, spiritual, and emotional concepts such as soul, suffering, contentment, presence, and—most importantly—love.
As both narrator and soul guide, Brian writes with raw honesty about the arc of his own faith, as well as difficult periods of depression. He asks and answers life’s most difficult but essential What is God?Why do we suffer?How can we best live alongside each other?What does it mean to be content?How can we do better by ourselves and others?What’s the role of a parent? A spouse?Are Jesus and rock-and-roll compatible?What can we learn from Ted Lasso?Beginning with a foreword by fellow soul-seeker Alanis Morissette, Onward Forward is an invitation to fully engage with life, to embrace “the good, the bad, and the shitshow,” and to run toward our truest selves with abandon.
Finalist, First Horizon Award
Finalist, The Montaigne Medal
“Brian will remind you that our goal is not to create a life without problems, but instead to discover how to be fully engaged in our lives.” -Alanis Morissette, singer-songwriter & 7-time Grammy winner
“A postgraduate course on how to live in love with this crazy wonderful Life. I'll read it again and again.” -Steve Gleason, Former NFL player - New Orleans Saints & founder of Team Gleason
"Joyful, thought-provoking...for virtually anyone looking for better insights on how to construct and navigate life.“ -Midwest Book Review
Onward Forward is a book Brian Jeansonne would have written eventually. He wrote it now because ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, confined him to a power chair, silenced his voluntary muscles, and urged him to focus more deeply than ever on life’s most essential questions. In this heartfelt and irreverent memoir, Brian chronicles the disease process while exploring metaphysical, spiritual, and emotional concepts such as soul, suffering, contentment, presence, and—most importantly—love.
As both narrator and soul guide, Brian writes with raw honesty about the arc of his own faith, as well as difficult periods of depression. He asks and answers life’s most difficult but essential What is God?Why do we suffer?How can we best live alongside each other?What does it mean to be content?How can we do better by ourselves and others?What’s the role of a parent? A spouse?Are Jesus and rock-and-roll compatible?What can we learn from Ted Lasso?Beginning with a foreword by fellow soul-seeker Alanis Morissette, Onward Forward is an invitation to fully engage with life, to embrace “the good, the bad, and the shitshow,” and to run toward our truest selves with abandon.
- GenresNonfiction
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2024
26 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 3, 2024
Thank you @brianjeansonne for the #gifted copy of the book.
I am somewhat familiar with ALS as Keith Leclair who was a former East Carolina baseball coach passed away of this debilitating disease so when I saw this book it peaked my interest.
Brian’s memoir is raw, genuine and even uplifting through some of his most difficult times. In the book, he shares his path to becoming a pastor, how he met his wife Kristy and even when he decided to take worshiping out of the equation. He asks hard questions about his faith I know even I have had over the years. He shares details about his life.. about his depression… about the progression of ALS and how he copes. It’s heartfelt.
I am somewhat familiar with ALS as Keith Leclair who was a former East Carolina baseball coach passed away of this debilitating disease so when I saw this book it peaked my interest.
Brian’s memoir is raw, genuine and even uplifting through some of his most difficult times. In the book, he shares his path to becoming a pastor, how he met his wife Kristy and even when he decided to take worshiping out of the equation. He asks hard questions about his faith I know even I have had over the years. He shares details about his life.. about his depression… about the progression of ALS and how he copes. It’s heartfelt.
February 18, 2025
The moving memoir “Onward Forward-My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck” by Brian Jeansonne delves into his struggles with a neurological disorder whose diagnosis remarkably provided him with a completely new outlook on life and relationships amidst growing uncertainties and revelations.
Prior to receiving a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease, often known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, Brian’s family—which included his wife Kristy and five children—was doing well. Since ALS not only kills the patient but also ruins every part of the body before taking its final toll, the majority of medical experts regard it as one of the most terrible diseases. The diagnosis left him distraught among the fast-paced events building up to handling the worst of the sickness, despite his tendency to put things off until they happen. Marijuana became a source of relaxation for Brian. But when he lost the ability to use both feet and his left hand a year later, his entire life fell apart.
After turning to spirituality and using his decades of preaching expertise, he chose to cultivate his inner self and open his soul’s eyes to Oneness rather than maintain resentment at God. He understood, however, that due to the significant changes in his body, he would soon need a suprapubic catheter, a feeding tube, and ultimately a tracheotomy to assist with breathing on a ventilator. Suddenly, his biggest worry was whether Kristy would remain his wife. Furthermore, his perspective on God’s actuality and essence would abruptly shift.
Brian’s experience highlights the realities of an ALS patient’s life and the devastating toll it takes on their whole being. His family’s unwavering commitment demonstrates possibilities that were absurd and unattainable at first glance. While being open and sincere about his opinions of individuals who he believed were doing better than him, he discusses the negative side of comparing himself to other ALS patients. Even as a new way of thinking develops inside of him, he candidly shares his big epiphanies, such as the importance of giving oneself to others.
As I read his narrative, I found myself sobbing sporadically, wondering what would happen to him in the following chapters. As his journey draws to a close, his chapter on A letter to those I pastored evoked strong feelings in me and inspired me to do my best for others. I had never before come across a fresh meaning and understanding of love till I read this book. His view of the deadly sickness as the best thing that could have happened to him, with benefits that surpassed the things it took away from him, was the most astounding thing I found.
“Onward Forward-My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck” by Brian Jeansonne is one of those real-life stories that leave a lasting impression. It is a stunning eye-opener to the value of friendships and family, written in an approachable tone with a hint of humor and common language. Because it is packed with valuable life lessons and a viewpoint on difficulties that will cause the reader to reassess their own troubles, it merits frequent re-reading. Outstanding for people with ALS, their loved ones, and caregivers as well as those who enjoy inspirational memoirs.
Prior to receiving a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease, often known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, Brian’s family—which included his wife Kristy and five children—was doing well. Since ALS not only kills the patient but also ruins every part of the body before taking its final toll, the majority of medical experts regard it as one of the most terrible diseases. The diagnosis left him distraught among the fast-paced events building up to handling the worst of the sickness, despite his tendency to put things off until they happen. Marijuana became a source of relaxation for Brian. But when he lost the ability to use both feet and his left hand a year later, his entire life fell apart.
After turning to spirituality and using his decades of preaching expertise, he chose to cultivate his inner self and open his soul’s eyes to Oneness rather than maintain resentment at God. He understood, however, that due to the significant changes in his body, he would soon need a suprapubic catheter, a feeding tube, and ultimately a tracheotomy to assist with breathing on a ventilator. Suddenly, his biggest worry was whether Kristy would remain his wife. Furthermore, his perspective on God’s actuality and essence would abruptly shift.
Brian’s experience highlights the realities of an ALS patient’s life and the devastating toll it takes on their whole being. His family’s unwavering commitment demonstrates possibilities that were absurd and unattainable at first glance. While being open and sincere about his opinions of individuals who he believed were doing better than him, he discusses the negative side of comparing himself to other ALS patients. Even as a new way of thinking develops inside of him, he candidly shares his big epiphanies, such as the importance of giving oneself to others.
As I read his narrative, I found myself sobbing sporadically, wondering what would happen to him in the following chapters. As his journey draws to a close, his chapter on A letter to those I pastored evoked strong feelings in me and inspired me to do my best for others. I had never before come across a fresh meaning and understanding of love till I read this book. His view of the deadly sickness as the best thing that could have happened to him, with benefits that surpassed the things it took away from him, was the most astounding thing I found.
“Onward Forward-My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck” by Brian Jeansonne is one of those real-life stories that leave a lasting impression. It is a stunning eye-opener to the value of friendships and family, written in an approachable tone with a hint of humor and common language. Because it is packed with valuable life lessons and a viewpoint on difficulties that will cause the reader to reassess their own troubles, it merits frequent re-reading. Outstanding for people with ALS, their loved ones, and caregivers as well as those who enjoy inspirational memoirs.
October 2, 2024
This is such a brave, hopeful, encouraging, honest memoir of Brian's experience with ALS and it's effects on every aspect of his life. What makes this story so incredibly beautiful is that Brian acknowledges the challenges and the expected changes, but he also shines a light on the positive impact that it's had and all of the amazing things he's discovering on this journey.
I love the very real and open admission of the physical difficulties he faces and the love and humor that his family and friends employ to help him through it. His support system is wonderful as is his outlook and determination to live a life without regrets and enjoy every moment.
As a former pastor, the changes in his spiritual life are very interesting and I really enjoyed reading about the way he has decided to live his life outside of the church. I love his compassion and desire to live in love and kindness.
This book is a tremendous testament to Brian's faith, love for all, and his commitment to living his best life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read his story and to be able to share about it with you. Let the last word be love.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love the very real and open admission of the physical difficulties he faces and the love and humor that his family and friends employ to help him through it. His support system is wonderful as is his outlook and determination to live a life without regrets and enjoy every moment.
As a former pastor, the changes in his spiritual life are very interesting and I really enjoyed reading about the way he has decided to live his life outside of the church. I love his compassion and desire to live in love and kindness.
This book is a tremendous testament to Brian's faith, love for all, and his commitment to living his best life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read his story and to be able to share about it with you. Let the last word be love.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
Brian has poured his heart into sharing a very open and honest account of his battle with ALS and life. He recounts his journey of becoming a young pastor in his father's church and grappling with profound questions about his faith in the face of his diagnosis at the age of 43. As the disease quickly took hold, he witnessed his decline but also the unwavering support and strength of his incredible wife, Kristy. Even in the depths of depression, he managed to find glimmers of light and positivity in life, never losing sight of his inner strength and faith. His book is an incredibly uplifting and inspiring read.
July 4, 2025
Fabulous and inspiring. ALS is a horrible disease with just a 2-5 year life span from diagnosis. This man writes a real, raw yet hope-filled perspective on his journey and it’s all based on love. Love wins. A former pastor is the Christian faith tradition he transforms into a man who does not fit in that box any longer nor puts God into one religion. His disease that has taken all his mobility accept his eyes (through which he “speaks” and writes using technology), has given him (and us!!) true insights on love and oneness of humanity. Great read.
November 10, 2024
A glimpse in to the personal journey of a man and his journey in receiving his ALS diagnosis during a time the world was turned upside down. He shares the impacts it has had on his family, marriage and how he has been changed in to being a better human that is living from new perspective and willing to share some life advice from this perspective. I hope he writes another one!
July 29, 2025
I was diagnosed with bulbar ALS in May 2024. I was wheelchair bound. My feet hurt horribly on the foot petals. I started ALS/MND programme about 4 months ago. I’m now able to walk down the street and back at least I couldn’t do that prior to the ALS treatment. It doesn’t make the ALS go away but it did give me better quality of life. I got the treatment from Uine healthcentre .net
October 15, 2024
onward forward: LOVE
This book was a great read. Brian , to find the positive in life living with ALS , You are an inspiration to everyone.
LOVE
This book was a great read. Brian , to find the positive in life living with ALS , You are an inspiration to everyone.
LOVE
December 29, 2024
wonderful book
Will read it many times over and over again…such a good book! I hope I will love people better than I did before…
Will read it many times over and over again…such a good book! I hope I will love people better than I did before…
December 29, 2024
Brian's memoir is a remarkable testament to resilience and authenticity. With vulnerability, he shares his life before and after his ALS diagnosis, reflecting on how soulful practices helped him navigate the profound changes in his experience. His unwavering commitment to living fully, both before and with ALS, will inspire and move you. Through it all, love prevails, no matter the challenges.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews