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Falling Up: My Wild Ride from Victim to Kick-Ass Victory
From the time Dana Liesegang could walk, she was out looking for adventure, and she never stopped. As a fearless child in the Pacific Northwest, she climbed trees, caught frogs, and held her own with any boy in town. She brought that true-grit, fire-in-her-belly attitude to the Navy . . . and to her recovery from the unthinkable. At the age of 19, she was sexually assaulted by a fellow sailor and thrown off a cliff, left for dead. She survived—but woke up in a hospital hours later paralyzed from the neck down, with doctors giving no hope for recovery.
They underestimated the spirit and stubbornness of their patient.
In Falling Up: My Wild Ride from Victim to Kick-Ass Victory, Dana recounts her agonizing and sometimes comical struggle from total dependence to doing the “impossible”: walking again. With equal parts humor and rawness, she brings us along on her wild ride, as she navigates her new world, hurtles through rocky relationships, deals with family secrets, and returns to her love of sports and the outdoors. In the process, she learns the importance of forgiveness, discovers the awe-inspiring power of belief and perseverance, and transforms herself from silent victim to outspoken advocate and inspiration for people everywhere.
After all, sometimes an unexpected fall can lead a person to reach for magnificent heights.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2017
Beautiful book. I first heard of Dana through the Hayhouse World Summit and I was just amazed by both her and her story - I literally had to listen a second time and then, of course, I bought the book. Exceptional read. So incredibly inspiring. The author has such a strong and positive spirit that you can't help but cheer her on with every page. A must read.
October 18, 2023
Bravo! Good job Dana.
December 18, 2015
Growing up in a fractured family and graduating without a clear sense of purpose, Dana Liesegang found her way in the Navy, energized by the physical and mental challenges of military life. She also reveled in the deep friendships she nurtured with her military colleagues, who would have her back no matter what. Or so she thought. Ms. Liesegang's book tells the story of the night she was beaten, choked, raped and thrown off a cliff by a fellow sailor. Left to die, instead she survived as a gravely injured quadriplegic. This is her story of coming back from the edge.
As her book shows, Ms. Liesegang has more spirit in her little finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. She sets herself the seemingly impossible goal of walking again. This is her story of how she fought for 21 years to reach that goal. Along the way, she finds strength within herself, from mentors who have overcome similar challenges and from the writings of Wayne Dyer. A skilled athlete, she says she was saved by the annual sporting events held for disabled athletes such as herself. With amazing ingenuity, she fashions ways to swim, run obstacle courses, play rugby, downhill ski and cross country ski... standing up! "You don't know the spirit inside that little girl," her mother told the doctors who predicted she would be a vegetable. "That girl can do the impossible."
Ms. Liesegang is willing to try anything to regain feeling in and the use of her arms and legs. She undergoes experimental treatments in Mexico, China, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Whatever the readers thinks of her crazier experiments ("John of God"), you have to admire her indomitable will and unflagging spirits.
Yet this is a story not only of physical healing, but emotional and mental healing as well. In perhaps the more amazing part of her story, Ms. Liesegang recalls how she came to the point of forgiving her attacker. The issue of forgiveness has always interested me, because it's hard to understand how a person could come to that point when they have been so grievously harmed. The Amish parents who forgave the mass murderer who killed their girls in a one-room schoolhouse is perhaps the most famous example of forgiveness. Here, Ms. Liesegang eventually tracks down the mother of her attacker and conveys her forgiveness through her: "My injury wasn't about me, I decided. It was about the story that millions of women have. I'm only one of so many who have suffered and have the strength to say, 'You're a son of a ---, but I forgive you. And you don't get to win. I win, because I forgive myself and I forgive you.'"
Perhaps equally as appalling as the attack itself is the Navy's reaction to it, which is to sweep it under the rug. News reports (that went uncorrected by the military) said that Ms. Liesegang fell off a cliff while walking with a friend. Her attack came before the Navy's Tailhook sexual discrimination scandal, so perhaps things have changed for the better over the years. But given the statistics Ms. Liesegang quotes about sexual attacks on military women, that might be an optimistic hope. Kudos to Ms. Liesegang for speaking out.
As her book shows, Ms. Liesegang has more spirit in her little finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. She sets herself the seemingly impossible goal of walking again. This is her story of how she fought for 21 years to reach that goal. Along the way, she finds strength within herself, from mentors who have overcome similar challenges and from the writings of Wayne Dyer. A skilled athlete, she says she was saved by the annual sporting events held for disabled athletes such as herself. With amazing ingenuity, she fashions ways to swim, run obstacle courses, play rugby, downhill ski and cross country ski... standing up! "You don't know the spirit inside that little girl," her mother told the doctors who predicted she would be a vegetable. "That girl can do the impossible."
Ms. Liesegang is willing to try anything to regain feeling in and the use of her arms and legs. She undergoes experimental treatments in Mexico, China, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Whatever the readers thinks of her crazier experiments ("John of God"), you have to admire her indomitable will and unflagging spirits.
Yet this is a story not only of physical healing, but emotional and mental healing as well. In perhaps the more amazing part of her story, Ms. Liesegang recalls how she came to the point of forgiving her attacker. The issue of forgiveness has always interested me, because it's hard to understand how a person could come to that point when they have been so grievously harmed. The Amish parents who forgave the mass murderer who killed their girls in a one-room schoolhouse is perhaps the most famous example of forgiveness. Here, Ms. Liesegang eventually tracks down the mother of her attacker and conveys her forgiveness through her: "My injury wasn't about me, I decided. It was about the story that millions of women have. I'm only one of so many who have suffered and have the strength to say, 'You're a son of a ---, but I forgive you. And you don't get to win. I win, because I forgive myself and I forgive you.'"
Perhaps equally as appalling as the attack itself is the Navy's reaction to it, which is to sweep it under the rug. News reports (that went uncorrected by the military) said that Ms. Liesegang fell off a cliff while walking with a friend. Her attack came before the Navy's Tailhook sexual discrimination scandal, so perhaps things have changed for the better over the years. But given the statistics Ms. Liesegang quotes about sexual attacks on military women, that might be an optimistic hope. Kudos to Ms. Liesegang for speaking out.
January 7, 2016
FALLING UP: MY WILD RIDE FROM VICTIM TO KICK-ASS VICTORY by Dana Liesegang, with Natasha Stoynoff and forward by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, was a wonderful read. It was fun, inspirational, and educational. This is a memoir by U.S. Navy Veteran Dana Liesegang, following her life from childhood, to being viciously raped, beaten and thrown off a cliff left to die, and beyond.
Liesegang has a very positive attitude and outlook on life, which shines through on every page. She focuses more on how far she has come and her achievements than on the event that lead to her being in a wheelchair. She does, of course, talk about what happened to her, both in the assault and in darker times pre- and post-attack. Like everyone, she has her dark days, but she has made the best of what life has thrown at of her. She kind of reminds me of a cat having nine lives after reading about all her near death experiences.
Liesegang’s journey has been anything but easy. She’s had many struggles, but she always prevails and does the impossible. From learning to breathe on her own, becoming an independent quadriplegic, being an accomplish athlete, learning to walk (I know, right?! This woman is amazing!) and her amazing journey on the road to forgiveness. I will say this loud and clear: Dana Liesegang is one tough, bad-ass, fabulous woman!
From the very beginning, Liesegang keeps reiterating that rape is not the victim’s fault. Liesegang herself stayed silent about her rape for years before she shared her experience publicly – this is for a few reasons, which she does discuss in her book. It is sad that even in today’s day and age, the victims are the ones blamed for the crime. As a result, it is a taboo subject to discuss and those survivors of rape who do come forward are often not believed. It is heartbreaking. It is extremely clear that Liesegang is trying to change that.
FALLING UP did leave me concerned for service women (and men, too) after reading statisticss Liesegang states in her book about rape in the military, along with, of course, her own experience. It horrified me. The fact that something like this malicious attack could happen, and the military bribes/threatens the victim to protect the perpetrator and their image, leaving the criminals walking free and the victims without a voice infuriates me. It’s absolutely outrageous! Those who were violated should be treated with respect, their voices heard, and those who committed the sickening crime should be punished.
Oh, yes. And Liesegang talks about poop a lot. Hey, its part of being a quad! I learned a lot about bowl and bladder function and spinal cord injuries from reading FALLING UP. Luckily, Liesegang has a great sense of humor and finds light in a shitty situation (pun intended).
I would recommend FALLING UP to anyone. If you want an inspirational read, or are dealing with a trauma of your own, or are just looking for a good read, this book is one for you.
*Please note: for some, FALLING UP may trigger emotions from past experiences. Please read with care and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others.
Liesegang has a very positive attitude and outlook on life, which shines through on every page. She focuses more on how far she has come and her achievements than on the event that lead to her being in a wheelchair. She does, of course, talk about what happened to her, both in the assault and in darker times pre- and post-attack. Like everyone, she has her dark days, but she has made the best of what life has thrown at of her. She kind of reminds me of a cat having nine lives after reading about all her near death experiences.
Liesegang’s journey has been anything but easy. She’s had many struggles, but she always prevails and does the impossible. From learning to breathe on her own, becoming an independent quadriplegic, being an accomplish athlete, learning to walk (I know, right?! This woman is amazing!) and her amazing journey on the road to forgiveness. I will say this loud and clear: Dana Liesegang is one tough, bad-ass, fabulous woman!
From the very beginning, Liesegang keeps reiterating that rape is not the victim’s fault. Liesegang herself stayed silent about her rape for years before she shared her experience publicly – this is for a few reasons, which she does discuss in her book. It is sad that even in today’s day and age, the victims are the ones blamed for the crime. As a result, it is a taboo subject to discuss and those survivors of rape who do come forward are often not believed. It is heartbreaking. It is extremely clear that Liesegang is trying to change that.
FALLING UP did leave me concerned for service women (and men, too) after reading statisticss Liesegang states in her book about rape in the military, along with, of course, her own experience. It horrified me. The fact that something like this malicious attack could happen, and the military bribes/threatens the victim to protect the perpetrator and their image, leaving the criminals walking free and the victims without a voice infuriates me. It’s absolutely outrageous! Those who were violated should be treated with respect, their voices heard, and those who committed the sickening crime should be punished.
Oh, yes. And Liesegang talks about poop a lot. Hey, its part of being a quad! I learned a lot about bowl and bladder function and spinal cord injuries from reading FALLING UP. Luckily, Liesegang has a great sense of humor and finds light in a shitty situation (pun intended).
I would recommend FALLING UP to anyone. If you want an inspirational read, or are dealing with a trauma of your own, or are just looking for a good read, this book is one for you.
*Please note: for some, FALLING UP may trigger emotions from past experiences. Please read with care and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others.
April 12, 2016
An eye opener. I saw Dana while watching one of Dr. Wayne Dyer's seminars. She walked to him. I cried. When I saw that Dana wrote her story I preordered the book. So glad I did. Dana you are an inspiration to all. Thank you for sharing your story and the hope it will give to others.
October 9, 2016
True triumphant victory
A fantastic read that embodies the triumph and strength of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. With it it also brought the full range of emotions a good book should, laughter, anger, tears.....it was all there. Definitely worth the read.
A fantastic read that embodies the triumph and strength of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. With it it also brought the full range of emotions a good book should, laughter, anger, tears.....it was all there. Definitely worth the read.
January 27, 2016
Easy to read inspirational book of a woman learning to live again after an accident.
April 5, 2017
Well, talk about inspiring. Anyone who is struggling with anything in their life should read this book. This amazingly resilient woman is a role model for anyone who wants to stop having a pity party. It is the story of a woman's harrowing experience and her long, dedicated recovery.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews