My Next Move Forward

by Tasha Schuh, Jan Pavloski

In her first book, Tasha Schuh chronicled the details of her sixteen-foot fall to a concrete floor during a high school rehearsal of The Wizard of Oz . In My Last Step Backward , Tasha adapted to life as a C-5 quadriplegic and proved that, although tragedy might threaten our dreams, it can also inspire them. In My Next Move Forward , Tasha dispels the myths and stereotypes that individuals with physical disabilities must confront. After the accolades of college graduation and being crowned Ms. Wheelchair USA, Tasha realizes she has no time for dating. Tasha—now a writer, speaker, and found of a national support network called the PITCrew Movement—assesses her life to ask a question she had been avoiding for "Am I worthy of love?" With belief in herself, Tasha takes a leap of faith that leads her to meet her soulmate, Doug Michaels. She tackles the pros and cons of online dating; answers questions on sex, intimacy, and childbirth; and confronts the delicate balance between work and romance. In My Next Move Forward , Tasha Schuh shows that setbacks often provide the best of life's lessons, and faith can transform dreams into reality.

232 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2017

Reviews

[Angela Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Next Move Forward by Tasha Schuh with Jan Pavloski

Brief Summary: In a follow-up to her first book, My Last Step Backwards; Tasha Schuh tells the story of meeting her husband Doug Michels and explores issues such as “Am I worthy of love?” as well as disability associated challenges to dating, sexuality, and childbirth. As a rehabilitation psychologist with a spinal cord injury, this offers many unique issues I haven’t seen addressed before!

Highlights: Schuh offers honest and unique insight into online dating and insecurity related to her disability. I loved the section written by her husband Doug in which he explains that he thought Tasha was beautiful and fell in love with her as a person. He clearly illustrates and understands that her disability doesn’t define her as a person. I also love her explicit list of her insecurities related to being a partner for Doug; which is followed by how he perceived her abilities rather than her disabilities. I was inspired to buy the book she swears by Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity: You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us and have used it in my clinical work with women with disabilities. Her explaining the process of online dating could definitely be used to reduce stigma for people with disabilities reluctant to jump in the online dating game.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5 This is a great read and does include important topics I haven’t seen address in other books on living with disability. Her chapter on Love and Intimacy included topics like suicide and spinal cord injury and excluded basic information on disability and sexuality. She rated the chapter PG-13 with a warning of mature content in a society clearly craving an R-rated chapter on this topic. If I didn’t have a good understanding of sexuality after spinal cord injury, I would have many questions such as does she require the assistance of the caregiver to engage in sexual activity? Is she able to have an active roll? How exactly do they adapt and explore? On a positive note, she does talk about both her and Doug’s satisfaction with their sex life and the importance of getting to know your body after spinal cord injury and exploring it with a partner.

This book should be a part of every spinal cord injury rehabilitation psychologist’s Library. I’m going to recommend that my friends and family read this book; plus all my co-workers in Spinal Cord Injury Rehab and colleagues in Rehabilitation Psychology. This is a great way to learn about the unique aspects of disability, dating, relationships, and sexuality.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read all year! Tasha is such an inspiration and I am so glad I can call her my friend!