Remembering the Ride: One Family's Journey Through a Hereditary Illness

by Shirley Swier Jones

"Vernon was twenty-one, handsome, kind, fun-loving and Christian, and he was stealing my heart." Thus began a love story that would evolve over the next twenty-three years through the blessing of five children and the sadness of living with a tragic, hereditary disease. That disease would continue to impact our family for more than fifty years. This story is a personal one. It is a story of deep sorrow mingled with the joy that comes from family, love, commitment, and faith.

A heartbreaking story of love and loss in the struggle with the inherited disease, ataxia. This author bares her heart as she tells the story of losing her husband and two sons while striving, through the years to overcome this tragic disease. The writer's tenacity and vulnerability invite the reader to enter the story and leave with a more compassionate heart.-Ramona Wade MA, LMFT
A powerful account of the impact that chronic, long-term illness has on an entire family. This story will evoke deep compassion and understanding in the reader. Those in helping professions will gain insight into the needs of individuals and families who live with the day to day challenge of long-term illness and disease. This book holds your attention, and your heart, until the last page.-Norma Haan MSSA, CSW-PIP, Psychotherapist

190 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2020

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and honest


A very personal story of one family's Experience with the devastating disease of sca1. As a patient that has been diagnosed with ataxia, it was enlightening to share feelings and emotions with this family.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the same community as the Swiers and was a year older than Kevin, so I always knew about this genetic disease. At the same time, my father was struggling with progressive, debilitating MS, and our family was experiencing many of the same problems as the Swier family in providing care at home. Any family who has had similar experiences will be able to relate to this memoir.