Kathy

by Barbara Miller, Charles Paul Conn

"Don't bother to hope," the doctors said

The Millers were a typical American family until the day a speeding car left 13-year-old Kathy critically injured, in a coma from which doctors said she might never recover.

How Kathy won back her health, gave her family the gift of faith, and ran in an international marathon less than six months later is the most exciting, enthralling and inspiring book of the year!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story changed my life! When I was 9 years old, I saw the made for TV movie based on Kathy Miller. At the end of the movie, I turned to my grandparents and said, "I want to help people walk, too!" I have been a physical therapist for twenty years and have been privileged to see many miracles occur. I was so excited when I found the book on Amazon and was able to read it years after seeing the movie.

[Emily Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read and an uplifting story. I only read it because I found it while cleaning out my grandma’s belongings after she died. My father suffered a traumatic brain injury in 1981 so I assume my grandma was recommended or gifted this book at that time. The story was predictable and inspirational, but I didn’t think the writing itself was anything special. It was also a bit too religious for me. It had the same sort of “thank the Lord” sentiments as the book “The Vow”. I guess that isn’t too surprising as my grandparents also got more involved in the church after my dad’s brain injury. It seems that Kathy Miller had a very happy ending to her story but I wonder what she is like today and how she is doing. I am curious if and how her brain injury has affected her adult years.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very inspiring story of 13 year old Kathy who was hit by a car. With the help of her mother's faith and a strong determination she makes a full recovery.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathy is the extraordinary tale of a young girl and her family who turn tragedy into triumph. Based on a true story, this book brings us the incredible journey of faith that one family goes on after their daughter is hit by a car. An accident that results in a traumatic brain injury brings Kathy to the brink of death, and doctors are not incredibly hopeful for her recovery. However Kathy's parents believe that she is not yet finished on this earth, and that God is not quite ready to take her away.

The story is told from several points of view - her mother co-wrote the book and much of it is from her perspective, however the benefit of having a second writer is that sometimes we can come out of the mom's head and see things from a different point of view. I think that was crucial to the pacing and integrity of the story. I thought this was a very well written book, the feeling of hope and optimism carried throughout and yet the reader gets a very clear understanding of the challenges that Kathy faced after her accident.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story about a teenage girl that was in a terrible car wreck and was in a coma. She learned to walk again and even run. It was inspirational.

[Arpita sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in 1996, inspired since then.. Wish I had a copy now..

[Kari McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

An inspiring account of a girl’s recovery from a serious accident. The book sometimes read like an Amway commercial with many testimonials about their Amway business. Also, she quotes Norman Vincent Peale with approval which does worry me. But, the author’s faith is encouraging! She appears to come from the charismatic renewal in the mainline churches of the 1970s.

[Anne Roszczewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an uplifting book that reminds us of the power of our faith in a God who does miracles. I really needed this at a time when my husband was in the hospital.

[Dakota Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of faith, courage and determination!!! ( my 1980s book)

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am at the cabin in mccall and ran out of reading material. this was on a bookshelf in our room. I think if you had read it back in 1978, it would have been more amazing, but today people make recoveries like this oftdn. still a positive account of overcoming tragedy.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this dozens of times. A great and inspiring story!

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager. I remember it being a good read, motivational, inspirational.