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Broken Spokes
Broken Spokes is more than a well-written, interesting read. It is an inspirational collection of the memories of a courageous child who, in spite of physical and emotional suffering, grew into a compassionate, loving and valiant woman. Crippled at age six, the author begins an odyssey which will consume her entire life. Through her sufferings, she finds a way to heal others, and in doing so, saves herself.
164 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 14, 2012
Ms. O'Neil tells her story of going from being a happy, care-free young girl to a girl whose world is changed by a bike accident. She did a good job of setting the scene: a happy child with two loving parents and a brother, a best friend, a much-loved bicycle, and not a care in the world. I recalled my early childhood when I felt as care-free as Ms. O'Neil and I credit her for being able to create a strong sense of nostalgia.
While I appreciate Ms. O'Neil's willingness to tell the story of her difficult life after the accident, I felt the writing style was simplistic, tedious and maudlin at times. She recounts, verbatim, conversations she had with her doctor and it was hard for me to believe that those exact conversations happened. I don't have a problem with someone recounting conversations and experiences but when they're presented as verbatim, from the memory of a six-year-old, I found myself rolling my eyes and wondering how much of her story was presented as it really happened and how much of it was created for the good of the story.
I also found some of the language in the beginning of the book to be misleading. I was under the impression that her malady lasted for decades so I was surprised to learn that was not really the case. I can certainly appreciate how events in life shape who we become but her attempt to blame her years of emotional difficulties on the fallout of that one event was far-fetched. As the book went on and she recounted events from her adult life, I felt as if I should be reading a separate book. The author has certainly had difficult experiences in her life and I wish in no way to minimize them but I found myself getting annoyed with her in about the last one-third of the book. Again, I thought it was a stretch for her to tie her experiences as a six-year-old to events in her adult life such as her son leaving for the military.
I applaud Ms. O'Neil for her self-awareness and her ability to put so much of herself and her story out into public view. However, each person has their share of difficulties in life and I found her presentation to be narcissistic and simplistic. I wondered if she simply wanted to tell her own story...or if she wrote the book to garner sympathy from her readers.
While I appreciate Ms. O'Neil's willingness to tell the story of her difficult life after the accident, I felt the writing style was simplistic, tedious and maudlin at times. She recounts, verbatim, conversations she had with her doctor and it was hard for me to believe that those exact conversations happened. I don't have a problem with someone recounting conversations and experiences but when they're presented as verbatim, from the memory of a six-year-old, I found myself rolling my eyes and wondering how much of her story was presented as it really happened and how much of it was created for the good of the story.
I also found some of the language in the beginning of the book to be misleading. I was under the impression that her malady lasted for decades so I was surprised to learn that was not really the case. I can certainly appreciate how events in life shape who we become but her attempt to blame her years of emotional difficulties on the fallout of that one event was far-fetched. As the book went on and she recounted events from her adult life, I felt as if I should be reading a separate book. The author has certainly had difficult experiences in her life and I wish in no way to minimize them but I found myself getting annoyed with her in about the last one-third of the book. Again, I thought it was a stretch for her to tie her experiences as a six-year-old to events in her adult life such as her son leaving for the military.
I applaud Ms. O'Neil for her self-awareness and her ability to put so much of herself and her story out into public view. However, each person has their share of difficulties in life and I found her presentation to be narcissistic and simplistic. I wondered if she simply wanted to tell her own story...or if she wrote the book to garner sympathy from her readers.
August 19, 2012
I found this book to be extremely touching. Having been left at a children's home at a very young age and not be able to verbalize my feelings of fear and abandonment, I became very much like the stone that Ms. O'Neill speaks of in her book.
I have not met anyone over the years who had a similar experience so that we could discuss our feelings. I have kept them locked away all these years. I am 65 years old and while reading Broken Spokes finally let my tears fall.
If Ms. O'Neill can do that with words, I cannot wait for her next book.
I have not met anyone over the years who had a similar experience so that we could discuss our feelings. I have kept them locked away all these years. I am 65 years old and while reading Broken Spokes finally let my tears fall.
If Ms. O'Neill can do that with words, I cannot wait for her next book.
December 27, 2019
Beautiful glimpse into an overcoming life
This book is truly a beautiful glimpse into an overcoming life. Arlene O'Neil writes from the heart with an unapologetic truthfulness that will bring you into her story to live it with her. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll finish this book with a sigh. She paints such vivid pictures of her journey that it's like being there in person. This is truly an inspiring book and a must read.
This book is truly a beautiful glimpse into an overcoming life. Arlene O'Neil writes from the heart with an unapologetic truthfulness that will bring you into her story to live it with her. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll finish this book with a sigh. She paints such vivid pictures of her journey that it's like being there in person. This is truly an inspiring book and a must read.
September 17, 2018
Why
It is so wonderful what this woman accomplished in life and how she could see life in a different way and help others
It is so wonderful what this woman accomplished in life and how she could see life in a different way and help others
April 7, 2014
This book came to me recommended by a dear friend. I don't read many memoirs, but I'm certainly glad I read this book by Arlene R. O'Neil. Touching, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring, Broken Spokes follows the life of the author as she copes with a life-altering disease and the life-long repercussions.
The story begins at a carefree place in Arlene's life--her happy family life, typical sibling rivalry, good times with her best friend, and sheer joy at getting the bike of her dreams. When a tragic accident leads to the discovery of a crippling illness, Arlene must leave the love and security of her home. She is diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease, and in the early 1960s, the only "cure" was for the patient to spend all their time in braces, unable to put any weight on the affected leg and hip.
Arlene is sent to home for crippled children where she quickly learns the rules of her new home. Don't walk, don't talk past bedtime, don't make noise, don't cry--these words not only structure her days, but they become a mantra she repeats throughout her life. Arlene feels like an invalid, an inconvenience, a burden on those she loves. When a nurse tells her not to upset her parents, she takes this advice to heart and begins to trap her feelings deep inside her, and it's years before those feelings break free. There are moments of joy in this book, but those fleeting episodes are tempered with Arlene's fears. Even when she's released from the children's home, she still has much healing to do--physically and emotionally.
This story often had me in tears as I became caught up in Arlene's life. Broken Spokes is written simply, but beautifully and reads in such a way that I felt like I was living the author's life right beside her. The author doesn't dwell on pain, nor does she feel sorry for herself as she tells her tale. She is upfront, honest, and inspiring. Arlene's journey from a broken child to an adult who uses her life's challenges to help others is truly worth reading. She reminds us of how important feelings are and that we must never, ever tell a child not suppress their emotions. We must never tell our children not to cry. Thank you, Arlene, for sharing our story with the world.
The story begins at a carefree place in Arlene's life--her happy family life, typical sibling rivalry, good times with her best friend, and sheer joy at getting the bike of her dreams. When a tragic accident leads to the discovery of a crippling illness, Arlene must leave the love and security of her home. She is diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease, and in the early 1960s, the only "cure" was for the patient to spend all their time in braces, unable to put any weight on the affected leg and hip.
Arlene is sent to home for crippled children where she quickly learns the rules of her new home. Don't walk, don't talk past bedtime, don't make noise, don't cry--these words not only structure her days, but they become a mantra she repeats throughout her life. Arlene feels like an invalid, an inconvenience, a burden on those she loves. When a nurse tells her not to upset her parents, she takes this advice to heart and begins to trap her feelings deep inside her, and it's years before those feelings break free. There are moments of joy in this book, but those fleeting episodes are tempered with Arlene's fears. Even when she's released from the children's home, she still has much healing to do--physically and emotionally.
This story often had me in tears as I became caught up in Arlene's life. Broken Spokes is written simply, but beautifully and reads in such a way that I felt like I was living the author's life right beside her. The author doesn't dwell on pain, nor does she feel sorry for herself as she tells her tale. She is upfront, honest, and inspiring. Arlene's journey from a broken child to an adult who uses her life's challenges to help others is truly worth reading. She reminds us of how important feelings are and that we must never, ever tell a child not suppress their emotions. We must never tell our children not to cry. Thank you, Arlene, for sharing our story with the world.
February 12, 2015
This is a true story that has taken a young child of six years old through the a gambit of an emotional journey right up to adulthood. This young lady had spunk, was free spirited, happy, healthy, and confident to an adult who suffered from no confidence, isolation, to invisiblity. Arlene was always saddled by rules. When she was six years old she wanted a bike so bad and her folks weren't wealthy but always tried to fulfill their dreams and Arlene got the bike then tragedy visited Arlene when she busted up her bike and ended up spending over a year at the Newington Crippled Children's Home with a disease called Perthes which meant she would have to have her legs in a brace so as not to move her hip for an uncertain length of time. Since she would need nurses to care for her she had to stay at the hospital. A devastating experience for a child of six.
With all the rules in the hospital she began to lose herself and eventually hid inside herself. This is not an uncommon story of a child withdrawing because of tragedy that strikes. Adults have a way of making a child feel non-human. Don't do this, don't do that, or no are all negative words and soon a child withdraws into themselves and develops a negative outlook on themselves as not being worthy and it is all their fault. Truly frustrating because they take all of the worries and disappointments into their spirit and it break's them.
Arlene's story is true and so are her feelings. What is great about this book is how she pulled herself out of the mire by seeking help and working on herself. If you read this book you may want to have tissue close by. I did, but only because I suffered a similar tragedy in my life. Actually, there is a log more to Arlene's story than her stay in the hospital. Arlene's style of writing is so poignant. This book so good but it isn't all sadness. She relates to a pup born to her son's dog and how a this very special dog named Little Bit saved her from herself and brought her back to the understanding that she was truly worth more than her disease.
With all the rules in the hospital she began to lose herself and eventually hid inside herself. This is not an uncommon story of a child withdrawing because of tragedy that strikes. Adults have a way of making a child feel non-human. Don't do this, don't do that, or no are all negative words and soon a child withdraws into themselves and develops a negative outlook on themselves as not being worthy and it is all their fault. Truly frustrating because they take all of the worries and disappointments into their spirit and it break's them.
Arlene's story is true and so are her feelings. What is great about this book is how she pulled herself out of the mire by seeking help and working on herself. If you read this book you may want to have tissue close by. I did, but only because I suffered a similar tragedy in my life. Actually, there is a log more to Arlene's story than her stay in the hospital. Arlene's style of writing is so poignant. This book so good but it isn't all sadness. She relates to a pup born to her son's dog and how a this very special dog named Little Bit saved her from herself and brought her back to the understanding that she was truly worth more than her disease.
February 23, 2015
The biggest challenge in reviewing a memoir is attempting to separate the writer's style – verbiage, pacing, etc. - from the events themselves. The latter shows who the author is, while the former shows WHAT they are and is 100% within their creative control. One can praise or criticize the former – and in fact, a review SHOULD do that – while the latter should be off limits and should not influence the reviewer, no matter how tempting it might be.
The good news is that Arlene R. O'Neil accomplishes her goal of describing her life in an easy-to-read and moving memor entitled “Broken Spokes”. Arlene focuses the majority of her story on the time spent in and around the Newington's Crippled Children's Home – a bicycle accident suffered as a child caused her to be confined to the hospital for months – no, years. The memoir eventually moves on to her adult life, but the time in hospital still acts as the basis for every action and decision she makes.
Arlene tells her story with emotion – but not with so much angst or plays for sympathy that the reader isn't drawn in and stays with her throughout the 163 pages of the memoir. I believe the most important lesson for me is that kids understand a lot more than they're given credit for. Some of the worst decisions that Arlene made as a child were rooted in the lack of information created by the “don't tell the kids” mentality. Conversely, some of the issues she dealt with were caused by a “don't tell the adults” mythology – sometimes fostered by other adults.
I am glad I read this story, it will stick with me for a long time. I'm looking forward to the next work from the author
RATING: 4.5 stars. Not quite 5 (but I'll round it up for those sites that do not allow partial stars i.e. most of them.) It will remain with me long after I've finished the next books on my list.
DISCLOSURE: I won a copy of this book in an online contest via random draw. No conditions were imposed, not even the requirement of a review (although I'm sure one will be appreciated).
The good news is that Arlene R. O'Neil accomplishes her goal of describing her life in an easy-to-read and moving memor entitled “Broken Spokes”. Arlene focuses the majority of her story on the time spent in and around the Newington's Crippled Children's Home – a bicycle accident suffered as a child caused her to be confined to the hospital for months – no, years. The memoir eventually moves on to her adult life, but the time in hospital still acts as the basis for every action and decision she makes.
Arlene tells her story with emotion – but not with so much angst or plays for sympathy that the reader isn't drawn in and stays with her throughout the 163 pages of the memoir. I believe the most important lesson for me is that kids understand a lot more than they're given credit for. Some of the worst decisions that Arlene made as a child were rooted in the lack of information created by the “don't tell the kids” mentality. Conversely, some of the issues she dealt with were caused by a “don't tell the adults” mythology – sometimes fostered by other adults.
I am glad I read this story, it will stick with me for a long time. I'm looking forward to the next work from the author
RATING: 4.5 stars. Not quite 5 (but I'll round it up for those sites that do not allow partial stars i.e. most of them.) It will remain with me long after I've finished the next books on my list.
DISCLOSURE: I won a copy of this book in an online contest via random draw. No conditions were imposed, not even the requirement of a review (although I'm sure one will be appreciated).
September 11, 2019
Delightful.
April 18, 2014
BROKEN SPOKES is the true story of the author's battle with a condition that left her tied to a bed for over a year in a hospital for "Crippled Children". It opened my eyes to how things have changed for people with disabilities over the past fifty years. It was also a sad and happy story at the same time, that had me in tears at times and smiling and laughing at others. It was uplifting and showed the world of injury and disability through the eyes of a small six year old who only wanted to feel the wind through her hair and ride her bike.
Arlene O'Neil is a fighter, who when faced with a list of "don't" promised herself she would never do that to another person and she didn't. When her younger siblings are born they are not told "don't cry" as she was, they are embraced and even though Arlene suffers loss she finds herself unable to cry following her time at the children's hospital when she was quiet sternly told "don't cry". She finds herself building a wall, putting on a mask for the outside world to see and not being able to express her emotions later on in life even though the situation may call for it.
My heart ached for Arlene her first night in the children's home, and then again as she fought to be able to walk again. I found myself gasping with joy when she met her husband and sobbing my heart out when he was taken from her. Her son and Little Bit both caused the same reactions as they moved through their lives and have done so much good for other people.
If you love a heart warming, inspiring tale of struggle, disability and overcoming it all, read BROKEN SPOKES. You won't be sorry!
Arlene O'Neil is a fighter, who when faced with a list of "don't" promised herself she would never do that to another person and she didn't. When her younger siblings are born they are not told "don't cry" as she was, they are embraced and even though Arlene suffers loss she finds herself unable to cry following her time at the children's hospital when she was quiet sternly told "don't cry". She finds herself building a wall, putting on a mask for the outside world to see and not being able to express her emotions later on in life even though the situation may call for it.
My heart ached for Arlene her first night in the children's home, and then again as she fought to be able to walk again. I found myself gasping with joy when she met her husband and sobbing my heart out when he was taken from her. Her son and Little Bit both caused the same reactions as they moved through their lives and have done so much good for other people.
If you love a heart warming, inspiring tale of struggle, disability and overcoming it all, read BROKEN SPOKES. You won't be sorry!
March 14, 2014
This book really touched me. I could relate to much of the sadness and hardship that this young girl had to go through. This story was written from the author's heart and soul. I could feel that by reading Broken Spokes. This book pulled me right in and broke my heart right from the very start. I could really see this child in front of me. It was so well written that I found myself getting a bit dizzy while the story was progressing. It was a powerful story that i read in just two sittings. I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know that this character was okay. I have read some books where the main character doesn't really interest me but that was not the case in this story. There were so many lines in the book that I wanted to highlight because they were so profound. I am glad that I read this book because it moved me and made me see how lucky we are for all the blessing in our lives. It makes you realize to NEVER EVER take your life or health for granted.
February 28, 2014
Broken Spokes by Arlene R. O'Neil is a tale of triumph over adversity, love found and love lost as well as a touching story of the author's life as a child, wife, military mother and animal lover.
The story begins in the childhood years of the author's life. A tragic bicycle accident leads to the discovery of her Legg-Perthes disease and causes her to spend 18 months in a crippled children's hospital. This is where she is constantly reminded of the "don'ts and can'ts" of the institution as well as where her self-esteem issues began.
From this childhood trauma, through adulthood filled with more ups and downs to the author's loss of her husband in a terrible auto accident, the story keeps the reader interested in what will happen next. Get your tissues out for the ending, it is a tear-jerker.
This is an inspirational and triumphant story and one that I am glad to have read. Thanks for sharing your story with the world, Ms. O'Neil.
The story begins in the childhood years of the author's life. A tragic bicycle accident leads to the discovery of her Legg-Perthes disease and causes her to spend 18 months in a crippled children's hospital. This is where she is constantly reminded of the "don'ts and can'ts" of the institution as well as where her self-esteem issues began.
From this childhood trauma, through adulthood filled with more ups and downs to the author's loss of her husband in a terrible auto accident, the story keeps the reader interested in what will happen next. Get your tissues out for the ending, it is a tear-jerker.
This is an inspirational and triumphant story and one that I am glad to have read. Thanks for sharing your story with the world, Ms. O'Neil.
October 28, 2015
Arlene O'Neil writes of her experiences after injuring her hip in a bicycle accident. I can't imagine having to spend a year in a children's hospital, especially with all the strict rules she had to abide by. Even though she eventually walks again, the injury haunts her into adulthood requiring multiple surgeries, as well as the emotional and psychological trauma brought on by the experience. I admire Arlene for the strength she possessed to endure all that she did, and I thank her for sharing her experiences. Touching memoir!
November 6, 2012
Unfortunately this is not my kind of book. I might have rated it higher if I could find more reasons to like the author. I realize a autobiography should tell the story as it is, but I found some of the self-depreciation to be a little too much. I admire the author's victories over various adversities, but really didn't find much that was uplifting. Just couldn't get past the constant belittling.
July 12, 2013
I thought this was an enjoyable memoir about her injury and recovery. It reminded me of the book Small Steps by Peg Kehret. In addition, I enjoyed her stories about her dogs.
November 12, 2015
Loved this book! It's definitely one of my favorite memoirs (and I read a lot of them). I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews