On August 23, 2016 Noah Galloway published his memoir, “Living with No Excuses: The Remarkable Rebirth of an American Soldier” to anyone that can sympathize with losing a part of yourself, something you might have taken for granted. Noah Galloway wrote this memoir to let them know although they lost a big part of them, life doesn’t stop for anyone. Noah has experienced having to learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg and to do everything using only one hand, which many before him have. “Living with No Excuses” by Noah Galloway is a very well written and informative memoir that goes in depth on what a soldiers life looks like from the inside.
Living with No Excuses is such a high quality book that taught me that no matter the struggles you are currently in, there is always a way to become more than what we believe we can accomplish. Noah Galloway is such an inspiration to millions that have tragically lost a part of themselves. For most of the memoir, Noah Galloway appeals to pathos to help the audience sympathize with him throughout the book. “I wasn’t a pathetic patient anymore. I was a father. I had a purpose again. There was so much meaning in something as simple as using what had been my leg to keep him from falling out of my lap.” This quote is one of the many that appeals to pathos by making it so that it is easy for most parents to relate to. This may inspire many parents because like Noah, their children is their purpose.
Every soldier that goes to war witnesses the terrible truths that war reveals; having no knowledge on what the future might look like, not knowing whether or not this day will be your last, having people you care about snatched from your world in an instant. All of this anxiety and traumatic events can build up for a soldier into a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Noah Galloway knows this and points it out on page 54, “Once people notice my injuries they are able to grasp that certain things will be harder for me to do. But there were so many other veterans coming back home with conditions not visible to the naked eye. They were going to need help too” which appeals to logos by implying that he knows better than anyone how damaged soldiers really are.
As awful as losing a leg and an arm might be, Noah Galloway realizes that life stops for no one and if you don’t get back on track, life just might leave you behind. On page 20 he says, “And then he also opened the door. I was seeing people walking up and down the hallway. I was hearing other people’s conversations. Uncle Johnny forced me to resume participation in life again by simple turning on the TV and opening the door.” Noah Isolated himself from the world and pressed pause on his life, he didn’t want to continue living because he felt that he had nothing to live for. When uncle Johnny tuned the TV on and opened the door, Noah realized he did not have the ability to pause time. The world was leaving him behind and he had to catch up.
“As we approach our destination and I was no longer going to be alone, I wiped my tears with my sleeve, took a deep breath, and swallowed my grief deep inside, where it stayed.” This quote appeals to pathos by making it easy for anyone that’s felt isolated from the world to relate to. Hiding my feelings from everyone is something I could personally relate to. Having to just sit there and pour your soul to someone just doesn’t feel right. That’s what we have in common. We don’t like to feel vulnerable, it’s just better to keep it inside and carry it with us rather than showing our true colors to someone.
“Living with No Excuses” by Noah Galloway is one of the most powerful memoirs I have read about overcoming a hard situation. It is a must read for anyone struggling with depression or self-acceptance. It assures the reader that no matter how hard life might seem at the moment it truly does get better; And he is living proof of that. Noah Galloway is an inspiration to America, he fell so low and fought back for his will to live and enjoy life to its fullest. Noah Galloway has done so much with his life even after his injuries, he was the first veteran to ever come out in “Men’s Health Magazine,” he was also a contestant in “Dancing with The Stars” back in 2015. Noah Matthew Galloway, motivational speaker, extreme sports enthusiast, dancer, and an American Hero.