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Breaking Through: From Paralysis to Purpose
"We are all one bad day away from being disabled." Gloria Steinem
At the age of 18, Sébastien Ducarme’s life changed in an a dive into shallow water resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him partially paralysed and facing a world that no longer felt designed for him.
Breaking Through is a book 30 years in the making; more than just the narrative of a tragic accident, it is the uncompromising, deeply human journey of what comes after – the grief, the grit, and the breakthrough. With vulnerability and wit, Ducarme retraces his path from hospital wards in Portugal and Belgium to rediscovering purpose, gaining confidence, and challenging societal assumptions about disability.
This is a story for anyone who has experienced loss, change, or the disorientation of a life that is unlike the one they imagined. It is for parents learning how to support their children, friends who are frightened to say the wrong thing, and leaders who want to create truly inclusive workplaces.
Told in a voice that is raw, reflective, and ultimately hopeful, Breaking Through invites you to witness the small wins and setbacks that shaped a new reality, one where disability is not a limitation, but a lens to see the world more clearly. Throughout it all, one theme shines it’s not adversity that defines you, but what you choose to do with it. Ducarme doesn’t romanticise his journey. Instead, he provides something more a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as well as a roadmap for building a meaningful life, whether you're walking, rolling, or simply figuring things out one imperfect step at a time.
At the age of 18, Sébastien Ducarme’s life changed in an a dive into shallow water resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him partially paralysed and facing a world that no longer felt designed for him.
Breaking Through is a book 30 years in the making; more than just the narrative of a tragic accident, it is the uncompromising, deeply human journey of what comes after – the grief, the grit, and the breakthrough. With vulnerability and wit, Ducarme retraces his path from hospital wards in Portugal and Belgium to rediscovering purpose, gaining confidence, and challenging societal assumptions about disability.
This is a story for anyone who has experienced loss, change, or the disorientation of a life that is unlike the one they imagined. It is for parents learning how to support their children, friends who are frightened to say the wrong thing, and leaders who want to create truly inclusive workplaces.
Told in a voice that is raw, reflective, and ultimately hopeful, Breaking Through invites you to witness the small wins and setbacks that shaped a new reality, one where disability is not a limitation, but a lens to see the world more clearly. Throughout it all, one theme shines it’s not adversity that defines you, but what you choose to do with it. Ducarme doesn’t romanticise his journey. Instead, he provides something more a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as well as a roadmap for building a meaningful life, whether you're walking, rolling, or simply figuring things out one imperfect step at a time.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2025
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September 22, 2025
An Inspiring Story that touches the Heart
This book will open your eyes to the immense challenges the writer overcame and through his authentic storytelling and transformation encourage you to examine your own life as well!
This book will open your eyes to the immense challenges the writer overcame and through his authentic storytelling and transformation encourage you to examine your own life as well!
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review