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A Sporting Chance: How Paralympics Founder Ludwig Guttmann Saved Lives with Sports
"Telling the inspiring human story behind the creation of the Paralympics, this chapter book biography artfully combines archival photos, full-color illustrations, and a riveting narrative to honor the life of Ludwig Guttmann, whose work profoundly changed so many lives"--
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First published April 7, 2020
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About the author
Lori Alexander
16 books53 followersLori Alexander loves to read and write! She has written picture books like BACKHOE JOE (Harper, 2014) and FAMOUSLY PHOEBE (Sterling, 2017) as well as the FUTURE BABY board book series (Scholastic, 2019). She also writes non-fiction chapter books, such as ALL IN A DROP (2019) and A SPORTING CHANCE (2020), both from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Lori resides in sunny Tucson, Arizona, with her scientist husband and two book loving kids. She runs when it’s cool and swims when it’s hot. Then she gets back to reading and writing.
Visit Lori at www.lorialexanderbooks.com or on Twitter @LoriJAlexander
Lori resides in sunny Tucson, Arizona, with her scientist husband and two book loving kids. She runs when it’s cool and swims when it’s hot. Then she gets back to reading and writing.
Visit Lori at www.lorialexanderbooks.com or on Twitter @LoriJAlexander
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 12, 2020
I love how Lori Alexander takes a person who wouldn't seem immediately interesting or accessible and makes them the most fascinating character you've ever met.
Well researched, noted and illustrated.
Well researched, noted and illustrated.
April 29, 2021
Really short but so interesting!
June 10, 2020
It is not every day that I find a nonfiction book that is written at an accessible level for young readers and turns out to be absolutely fascinating to me as well. No easy feat! Lori Alexander has done exactly that. I was captivated by this book and learned so much!
Ludwig Guttmann was someone I knew absolutely nothing about and I am so happy to have learned not only about Guttman's founding of the Paralympic Games but also about all of his important achievements and the other fascinating historical items brought forward in this book. I had absolutely no idea that spinal injuries were considered un-treatable as late as the end of WWII or that doctors expected patients to die within the year. It is no surprise that 80% of spinal injury patients did just that considering the prevailing appalling beliefs about treatment. Dr. Guttman revolutionized understanding and treatment of spinal injury cases and thanks to this book, young readers will come away with a solid grasp of Guttmann's contributions. They will also gain a real admiration for Guttmann, his perseverance and the enormous obstacles he had to overcome in his life as well as his impact on the world.
Alexander does an outstanding job of presenting complex and wide-ranging information here for young readers, including scientific and historical background but not bogging down the text. The story is a fascinating one but it is also one with many facets and Alexander manages all of this extremely well. Period photographs, and charming cartoon illustrations by Allan Drummond add lively interest to the book.
There is excellent back matter that includes brief biographies of outstanding paralympic athletes, a Timeline, Source Notes and a Selected Bibliography.
Ludwig Guttmann was someone I knew absolutely nothing about and I am so happy to have learned not only about Guttman's founding of the Paralympic Games but also about all of his important achievements and the other fascinating historical items brought forward in this book. I had absolutely no idea that spinal injuries were considered un-treatable as late as the end of WWII or that doctors expected patients to die within the year. It is no surprise that 80% of spinal injury patients did just that considering the prevailing appalling beliefs about treatment. Dr. Guttman revolutionized understanding and treatment of spinal injury cases and thanks to this book, young readers will come away with a solid grasp of Guttmann's contributions. They will also gain a real admiration for Guttmann, his perseverance and the enormous obstacles he had to overcome in his life as well as his impact on the world.
Alexander does an outstanding job of presenting complex and wide-ranging information here for young readers, including scientific and historical background but not bogging down the text. The story is a fascinating one but it is also one with many facets and Alexander manages all of this extremely well. Period photographs, and charming cartoon illustrations by Allan Drummond add lively interest to the book.
There is excellent back matter that includes brief biographies of outstanding paralympic athletes, a Timeline, Source Notes and a Selected Bibliography.
September 9, 2024
A look at Dr. Ludwig Guttman’s life and contributions to the treatment of those with paraplegia and the evolution of a small athletic competition for those with spinal cord injury to the Paralympics Games of today. While the title of the book indicates that the focus is on the Paralympic Games, there is actually more information given on how the German-born physician developed a more successful protocol for treating those with spinal cord injuries which did include participation in sports as well as job training and more. Recommended for grades 4-7.
January 1, 2022
I read this book to my 8 year old and 5 year old because they were interested after watching the Tokyo Paralympics. I didn’t expect something so thorough—it covers a lot of the history of treatment for spinal cord injuries, since that’s what the guy who founded the Paralympic specialized in. It was fascinating to learn how he reduced deaths from spinal cord injuries from 80% of patients down to only 11%. There’s also a lot of the history of World War 1 and World War 2, because he was a German forced to flee because his family was Jewish.
The only thing we struggled with a bit was that, though the illustrations are really colorful and make it look like a children’s book, some of the sentences and words are a bit complex for young children to understand. The chapters are a tad long and it’s probably really more of an upper elementary or junior high reading level. I tried to simplify things where I could, since my kids are younger. They both enjoyed the book, though.
The only thing we struggled with a bit was that, though the illustrations are really colorful and make it look like a children’s book, some of the sentences and words are a bit complex for young children to understand. The chapters are a tad long and it’s probably really more of an upper elementary or junior high reading level. I tried to simplify things where I could, since my kids are younger. They both enjoyed the book, though.
December 11, 2020
A great book for a young athlete, a young reader interested in history, or anyone involved in Special Olympics or the Paralympics. A Sporting Chance is about Dr. Ludwig Guttman and how he started the Paralympics. He believed that physical movement and involvement in a sports activity would enhance the lives of a person with paraplegia. Dr. Guttman was a strong Rights Activist for those patients he served. This is a definite read for young readers who are interested in sports, and history, their coaches, or anyone interested in learning more. Paralympics are not as well known as the Olympics, and Lori Alexander brings the Paralympics to life here.
***I received this book from Lori Alexander through a giveaway. ***
#readyourworld
***I received this book from Lori Alexander through a giveaway. ***
#readyourworld
June 10, 2020
Interesting nonfiction book about how the Paralympics came about. The photographs in the book are great, except I didn't care for the photo of the bed sore (was that necessary?) The illustrations gave the book a younger feel. I also felt that there could be a better flow to the end of the book. I have my usual gripe about nonfiction - there were a couple of times that I felt like the insets were not well placed and interrupted the flow of the text. All in all, I think it would be a good addition to a middle grade nonfiction section.
October 15, 2020
This is an outstanding book about someone who made a phenomenal difference in countless lives. Although I was familiar with the Paralympic Games — having a child who has a prosthetic leg and swims competitively, including in the Paralympic Trials — I had no idea how the games came to be or that a single individual was the driving force behind them.
The author does a great job putting Guttmann’s vision and passion in context and helping the reader understand people’s attitudes toward those with physical disabilities before Guttmann came along. Also, this book is heavily illustrated, with both photographs and drawings (by Allan Drummond), which makes the subject material extra inviting.
Guttmann didn’t start out with a vision for uplifting paraplegics, culminating in the Paralympic games. It was more that his life, through some events outside his control, plus his own commitment and curiosity, led him to work with paraplegics, which led to him to figuring out good ways to help them recover and live full lives.
Guttmann, a native of Germany, was a highly accomplished neurologist when World War II began. But as a Jew, his life in Nazi Germany was imperiled, so he and his family escaped and settled in England. Eventually, the British Army asked Guttmann to establish a clinic to help those with spinal cord injuries.
When Guttmann began his work at Ward X at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal injury Center, just outside London, 80% of people with spinal cord injuries died within a year.
Typically, a patient with a spinal cord injury was put in a full body cast and then basically put in a corner to die. Typically they succumbed to infection within weeks of their injury. Paraplegics were “consigned to the human scrapheap,” and many felt that “the sooner they died the better.”
Then along came Guttmann: He cut his patients out of their full body cast and put them on a bed surrounded by pillows; He trained orderlies to turn the patient every two hours; He used penicillin powder to cure their bed sores; and he put a catheter in their urethra so they could empty their bladder without getting kidney infections.
Thanks to his work, 80% of his patients survived a year and more after their accident. Guttmann changed — and saved — lives. But he did more. Guttmann was convinced that these patients were not, as they were known, “incurables.”
Guttman’s vision wasn’t rocket science. Instead it grew from his understanding that his patients, even if they didn’t have a great prognosis, deserved the best treatment possible.
He did things that, at the time, seemed outrageous, but seem logical once they were done. For example, instead lying in their beds like invalids, he had these young people (many coming back from the war) sit up in bed. At first, they complained of dizziness and nausea, since they’d been lying down for so long.
Once they got used to sitting up, Guttmann put them in wheelchairs so they could move around. But then what? They had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Next he set up a space where they could learn wood working or typing. Many also earned degrees in law or accounting.
Guttman often told his patients: “don’t be lazy” and “help yourself.” According to Alexander, one patient joked that Guttman kept them so busy, “there’s no bloody time to be ill in this bloody place.”
Even without having created the Paralympic Games, Guttmann would have had a huge role in improving the lives of paraplegics.
But he did get the idea for the games! After seeing some patients playing a kind of improvised wheelchair hockey, using walking canes to hit the puck, Guttmann realized that competing in team sports could really boost the well-being of his patients.
After some practice, his patients could — and did — compete in archery against able-bodied athletes. Another time Guttmann arranged a demonstration between the best javelin thrower at Stoke Mandeville and the British javelin champion. Both athletes threw from a sitting position and the Stoke Mandeville champion won by a mile. These kinds of demonstrations began to change the general public’s view— for the better — of what physically disabled people could do.
In 1948 Guttman held the first annual Stoke Mandeville Games, which coincided, Alexander points out, with the opening ceremonies of the Olympics being held that year in London. That first year the event was held on the front lawn of the clinic. There were 16 competitors and the only event was archery.
By 1959, however, there were 350 athletes from 20 countries competing in eleven different sports. That was the last year the games were held at Stoke Mandeville. The following year — 1960 — the games were held in Rome, and took place immediately following the Olympic games. These were the first, official, Paralympic Games. By 2016, television viewership for the Paralympic Games was 4.1 billion, as compared to the 3.6 billion who watched the Olympics.
Ludwig Guttmann was an ordinary person. But because of his passion and vision he not only saved lives, he changed the public’s perception of people with physical disabilities. To me, that is extraordinary.
This review was published in the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette September 13, 2020
The author does a great job putting Guttmann’s vision and passion in context and helping the reader understand people’s attitudes toward those with physical disabilities before Guttmann came along. Also, this book is heavily illustrated, with both photographs and drawings (by Allan Drummond), which makes the subject material extra inviting.
Guttmann didn’t start out with a vision for uplifting paraplegics, culminating in the Paralympic games. It was more that his life, through some events outside his control, plus his own commitment and curiosity, led him to work with paraplegics, which led to him to figuring out good ways to help them recover and live full lives.
Guttmann, a native of Germany, was a highly accomplished neurologist when World War II began. But as a Jew, his life in Nazi Germany was imperiled, so he and his family escaped and settled in England. Eventually, the British Army asked Guttmann to establish a clinic to help those with spinal cord injuries.
When Guttmann began his work at Ward X at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal injury Center, just outside London, 80% of people with spinal cord injuries died within a year.
Typically, a patient with a spinal cord injury was put in a full body cast and then basically put in a corner to die. Typically they succumbed to infection within weeks of their injury. Paraplegics were “consigned to the human scrapheap,” and many felt that “the sooner they died the better.”
Then along came Guttmann: He cut his patients out of their full body cast and put them on a bed surrounded by pillows; He trained orderlies to turn the patient every two hours; He used penicillin powder to cure their bed sores; and he put a catheter in their urethra so they could empty their bladder without getting kidney infections.
Thanks to his work, 80% of his patients survived a year and more after their accident. Guttmann changed — and saved — lives. But he did more. Guttmann was convinced that these patients were not, as they were known, “incurables.”
Guttman’s vision wasn’t rocket science. Instead it grew from his understanding that his patients, even if they didn’t have a great prognosis, deserved the best treatment possible.
He did things that, at the time, seemed outrageous, but seem logical once they were done. For example, instead lying in their beds like invalids, he had these young people (many coming back from the war) sit up in bed. At first, they complained of dizziness and nausea, since they’d been lying down for so long.
Once they got used to sitting up, Guttmann put them in wheelchairs so they could move around. But then what? They had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Next he set up a space where they could learn wood working or typing. Many also earned degrees in law or accounting.
Guttman often told his patients: “don’t be lazy” and “help yourself.” According to Alexander, one patient joked that Guttman kept them so busy, “there’s no bloody time to be ill in this bloody place.”
Even without having created the Paralympic Games, Guttmann would have had a huge role in improving the lives of paraplegics.
But he did get the idea for the games! After seeing some patients playing a kind of improvised wheelchair hockey, using walking canes to hit the puck, Guttmann realized that competing in team sports could really boost the well-being of his patients.
After some practice, his patients could — and did — compete in archery against able-bodied athletes. Another time Guttmann arranged a demonstration between the best javelin thrower at Stoke Mandeville and the British javelin champion. Both athletes threw from a sitting position and the Stoke Mandeville champion won by a mile. These kinds of demonstrations began to change the general public’s view— for the better — of what physically disabled people could do.
In 1948 Guttman held the first annual Stoke Mandeville Games, which coincided, Alexander points out, with the opening ceremonies of the Olympics being held that year in London. That first year the event was held on the front lawn of the clinic. There were 16 competitors and the only event was archery.
By 1959, however, there were 350 athletes from 20 countries competing in eleven different sports. That was the last year the games were held at Stoke Mandeville. The following year — 1960 — the games were held in Rome, and took place immediately following the Olympic games. These were the first, official, Paralympic Games. By 2016, television viewership for the Paralympic Games was 4.1 billion, as compared to the 3.6 billion who watched the Olympics.
Ludwig Guttmann was an ordinary person. But because of his passion and vision he not only saved lives, he changed the public’s perception of people with physical disabilities. To me, that is extraordinary.
This review was published in the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette September 13, 2020
May 7, 2020
This inspiring chapter book biography shares the story of Ludwig Guttmann, the founder of the Paralympics. He was a German-Jewish doctor who escaped to England before WWII, and after years of patient care and research, he developed life-saving treatment techniques for paralytics. As many paralyzed men returned from war, he helped them survive, regain their will to live, and recover basic skills through rehabilitative therapies. He also began to host sports events to help his patients redevelop strength and enjoy recreation. This led to the creation of the Paralympic Games. I enjoyed reading this incredible story, and never would have imagined that one man could accomplish so much in this field.
This is a wonderful historical source. Even though the simple sentences and cartoon illustrations make it accessible to the target middle grade audience, it is well-researched and can appeal to all ages. The author shares lots of photographic reproductions, provides thorough citations, and includes a detailed timeline in the back, making this is a great choice for both families and schools. I especially appreciate how it shows the intersection between major historical events and changing societal views towards the disabled.
At the end of the book, the author shares photographs and short bios of different Paralympic victors from throughout the years, providing examples of how people with a range of different disabilities can compete in sports. This shows how greatly Guttmann's legacy has affected people even outside of his medical field, and it is joyful and inspiring, showing that it is possible to overcome physical limitations and disruptive tragedies to still enjoy life. This book celebrates the value of human life, and gives credit to the pioneer in this field while also honoring the accomplishments of specific athletes.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderful historical source. Even though the simple sentences and cartoon illustrations make it accessible to the target middle grade audience, it is well-researched and can appeal to all ages. The author shares lots of photographic reproductions, provides thorough citations, and includes a detailed timeline in the back, making this is a great choice for both families and schools. I especially appreciate how it shows the intersection between major historical events and changing societal views towards the disabled.
At the end of the book, the author shares photographs and short bios of different Paralympic victors from throughout the years, providing examples of how people with a range of different disabilities can compete in sports. This shows how greatly Guttmann's legacy has affected people even outside of his medical field, and it is joyful and inspiring, showing that it is possible to overcome physical limitations and disruptive tragedies to still enjoy life. This book celebrates the value of human life, and gives credit to the pioneer in this field while also honoring the accomplishments of specific athletes.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2020
This extremely well designed book tells the story of the Paralympics as championed by an innovative doctor who moved accepted practice of treating spinal cord victims by waiting for them to die to helping them live lives even after losing the use of their legs. The book starts with a young Englishman getting shrapnel to the spine in 1944 France, then cuts back to the history of the treatment of spinal injury: Basically a deathwatch.
The illustrations by Allan Drummond set the tone immediately - gently colorful and cosy, even the blown up soldier isn't intimidating. Each pair of facing pages has at least one illustration, usually a sketch by Drummond but also including sepia historical photographs or text boxes explaining medical terms or procedures. Sometimes the illustrations meet match up with the text to bring out a point more strongly. I admired the way the bright pictures kept the dark chapters of Guttmann's escape from Nazi Germany from overweighting the story of his career in spinal work.
And I liked how it even as a biography of the doctor dealing with the problems of spinal injury patients it centers the people with the problem. The man we meet in the first pages comes back to the first hospital Guttmann manages in the UK, the one where his innovative methods of actually helping people were first put in practice. The final chapter is a set of athletes who played in recent games, and here vivid photographs replace the illustrations.
I liked that it felt like it was written for both disabled people and the general readership.
Backmatter includes a timeline with different colors for historical events vs Guttmann's life and work, notes for each chapter, a partial bibliography, and a good index.
The illustrations by Allan Drummond set the tone immediately - gently colorful and cosy, even the blown up soldier isn't intimidating. Each pair of facing pages has at least one illustration, usually a sketch by Drummond but also including sepia historical photographs or text boxes explaining medical terms or procedures. Sometimes the illustrations meet match up with the text to bring out a point more strongly. I admired the way the bright pictures kept the dark chapters of Guttmann's escape from Nazi Germany from overweighting the story of his career in spinal work.
And I liked how it even as a biography of the doctor dealing with the problems of spinal injury patients it centers the people with the problem. The man we meet in the first pages comes back to the first hospital Guttmann manages in the UK, the one where his innovative methods of actually helping people were first put in practice. The final chapter is a set of athletes who played in recent games, and here vivid photographs replace the illustrations.
I liked that it felt like it was written for both disabled people and the general readership.
Backmatter includes a timeline with different colors for historical events vs Guttmann's life and work, notes for each chapter, a partial bibliography, and a good index.
May 19, 2021
In pre-World War II Germany, Jewish doctor Ludwig Guttmann became a prominent neurosurgeon. When Hitler came to power, he fled his home to go to England with his family. The only job he could find as an immigrant was working with paraplegic patients who at that time were deemed untreatable. His work there changed the medical thinking about what these patients needed and became the standard of care for paralyzed patients everywhere and led to the development of treatment that extended survival rates, increased quality of life, and led to the development of the modern paraplegic games.
An interesting biography that also gives context to events of world history and medical history as well as Dr. Guttmann. The book’s format and content will appeal to middle school readers. The text presents the information in a way that keeps the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. Illustrated with both photographs and the original art of illustrator Allan Drummond, the visuals add to the compelling information in the book. The personal story of Dr. Guttman and his determination to help his patients provides an amazing lesson in overcoming adversity and the importance of supporting innovation. Book extras include bios of modern Paralympic athletes, a timeline of events in the book, detailed chapter notes, an extensive bibliography, index and photo credits.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase by any middle school or public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
An interesting biography that also gives context to events of world history and medical history as well as Dr. Guttmann. The book’s format and content will appeal to middle school readers. The text presents the information in a way that keeps the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. Illustrated with both photographs and the original art of illustrator Allan Drummond, the visuals add to the compelling information in the book. The personal story of Dr. Guttman and his determination to help his patients provides an amazing lesson in overcoming adversity and the importance of supporting innovation. Book extras include bios of modern Paralympic athletes, a timeline of events in the book, detailed chapter notes, an extensive bibliography, index and photo credits.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase by any middle school or public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
July 26, 2022
This is the true story of Dr. Ludwig Guttman. He story unfolds as a young Jewish man who has dreams of becoming a doctor. His hopes are quickly but not permanently dashed when WWII breaks out and the Nazi's come to power. Fortunately, though, he is sent to research to help soldiers who have been crippled.
The story finds him working with mostly men who have no chance of thriving in life or even past much living. His research revealed how bacteria affected the soldiers. Eventually, he was given his own ward and Dr. Ludwig began doing innovative things like turning a patient over, having them sit up, and even "walking" with the use of bar handles.
Eventually the doctor discovered that his patients were able to play games in their wheelchairs. He encouraged this behavior, much to the hospitals chagrin, which eventually lead to the Paralympic games that still happens world-wide to this day.
I am completely impressed in how Dr. Ludwig, in spite of adversity, continued to provide care and concern for patients that originally had no chance of survival. Without his tenacity, many things that people with spinal cord injuries do today would not be available.
This book includes real photos of the games and Doctor Ludwig himself. It is inspiring and I would certainly recommend it to be put in school and home libraries.
5 stars!
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to facilitate a review. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
July 23, 2025
A worthwhile and enjoyable overview about the fascinating life and the extraordinary accomplishments of Ludwig Guttman.
I was impressed by formatting of the book (narrative, then personal stories of athletes, then a timeline summary, then notes, then a bibliography) and appreciated that the narrative of this book allocated substantial time to sharing Ludwig’s past experiences so the reader could see how those experiences informed his future. This context set the scene for the reader and helped convey the factors he was up against, how his experiences informed his convictions, and why determination is necessary for the making important change (-vs- portrayed a contextless success story).
There were nice one liner pearls of wisdom sprinkled throughout the book (loveee little nuggets like these because they are hold onto. When i think of them, i am reminded of the of the book and plunge back into reflection)
I read this book for my own education and while nannying young children. Although they were far too young. I appreciated that this children’s the book included the harsh realities of Nazi occupation—the book would be incomplete without it and is important to start discussing with children.
I was impressed by formatting of the book (narrative, then personal stories of athletes, then a timeline summary, then notes, then a bibliography) and appreciated that the narrative of this book allocated substantial time to sharing Ludwig’s past experiences so the reader could see how those experiences informed his future. This context set the scene for the reader and helped convey the factors he was up against, how his experiences informed his convictions, and why determination is necessary for the making important change (-vs- portrayed a contextless success story).
There were nice one liner pearls of wisdom sprinkled throughout the book (loveee little nuggets like these because they are hold onto. When i think of them, i am reminded of the of the book and plunge back into reflection)
I read this book for my own education and while nannying young children. Although they were far too young. I appreciated that this children’s the book included the harsh realities of Nazi occupation—the book would be incomplete without it and is important to start discussing with children.
November 9, 2025
This book is the story of a genius doctor with a passion for neurology. He was lucky enough to work under one of the best neurologists in Germany. Unfortunately, there are new laws coming from the Nazi Party that Jewish folks cannot work in government jobs. Dr. Guttmann finds a new job at an all Jewish hospital and leads their neurology department. Laws were made by the Nazi Party to single out those with physical disabilities as unworthy and send them to death camps. After Kristallnacht, Dr. Guttmann moves his family to England. At the hospital there when Ludwig begins treating soldiers, his awareness of how little improvement his soldier patients are having when not being active. He creates an archery tournament on the hospital grounds. He realizes that physical activity is not just good for the muscles it is good for the spirit. His tournament expands to other sports, some adapted for wheelchair users. It is now an international event and inspires many around the world. In his lifetime, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann changed the course of medical care for those with disabilities and changed the perspectives of many about accessibility to sporting facilities and the lack of adequate wheelchairs for sporting quadriplegics. This book has amazing back matter. Though there are photo illustrations (some that are very graphically focusing on the issues of being bedridden and immobile) most of the illustrations are drawn by Allan Drummond. Mr. Drummond is one of my favorite non-fiction author/illustrators for my elementary students. His picture books are in every library collection I have overseen. I admit to being stuck with the contrast in the drawings versus the photographic images from Dr. Guttmann's life. The Paralympic Games has given life and opportunities to so very many. I fear where we would be now had Dr. Guttmann not fought so hard for his dreams.
Schools and public libraries need this book! Physical differences are in every community and recognizing how much has changed in a couple generations allows us to dream bigger for the future. Medical science is always changing and it has to have an impactful and committed advocate for that change to happen. Every one of us needs to know the history of medical science to accept and advocate for the current and future possibilities. This book is as much a book that is about science and commitment to improving the lives of folks with medical needs as it is a biography of an important doctor that I have never heard about, even in the field of education where I have students with physical medical challenges. Access is a universal need and this book captures that well. Research is data based and that supports my STEAM activities that I do with students.
This book is magnificent. It deserves readers of all ages. I hope I am wrong about the illustrations limiting those who will read it. I also listened to it using Hoopla through my public library and I could not stop driving around town as it was riveting to hear. Lori Alexander has put in so much research into a brilliant doctor and his dedication to his paralyzed patients despite so many hardships in the world in his lifetime. His reach continues even today. I look at my student's wheelchairs and cannot believe that not too long ago, the variations were not available nor even considered necessary.
libres
Schools and public libraries need this book! Physical differences are in every community and recognizing how much has changed in a couple generations allows us to dream bigger for the future. Medical science is always changing and it has to have an impactful and committed advocate for that change to happen. Every one of us needs to know the history of medical science to accept and advocate for the current and future possibilities. This book is as much a book that is about science and commitment to improving the lives of folks with medical needs as it is a biography of an important doctor that I have never heard about, even in the field of education where I have students with physical medical challenges. Access is a universal need and this book captures that well. Research is data based and that supports my STEAM activities that I do with students.
This book is magnificent. It deserves readers of all ages. I hope I am wrong about the illustrations limiting those who will read it. I also listened to it using Hoopla through my public library and I could not stop driving around town as it was riveting to hear. Lori Alexander has put in so much research into a brilliant doctor and his dedication to his paralyzed patients despite so many hardships in the world in his lifetime. His reach continues even today. I look at my student's wheelchairs and cannot believe that not too long ago, the variations were not available nor even considered necessary.
libres
May 13, 2021
Not too long ago, people with spinal cord injuries were practically ignored by the medical community, believing they were better off dead than paralyzed and miserable. Thankfully, a German physician named Ludwig Guttman thought differently. After fleeing Nazi Germany for England, Guttman, who had been the director of a Jewish hospital, was relegated to doing research in neurology. Despite making some important discoveries about people with nerve damage, Guttman longed to return to practicing medicine, so he jumped at the chance to head the new Spinal Injuries Center at a hospital that primarily served men wounded during battle. While working there, Guttman revolutionized treatment for paraplegics, flipping the rate of survival from 20% to 80%. He understood the power of sports to improve the health and overall outlook of the men and women he worked with. In 1948 Guttman organized the first archery competition among patients and over time this evolved into the Paralympics we know today.
October 20, 2020
Absolutely fascinating and inspiring! Ludwig Guttman did such important work with spinal cord injuries and paraplegics. I loved reading about his childhood, how he got into neurology and his introduction of sports into his patient's rehabilitation. He also introduced vocational training, helped solve challenges with bed sores & catheters. Obviously the primary focus is how Guttman and his team formed the Stoke Mandeville Games, which ultimately became the Paralympic Games, but it's about so much more too. I found this incredibly inspiring and look forward to sharing it with students. An important piece of history for all of us to be aware of. I appreciated the focus on positive attitude in medical recovery too. So important to heal physically but also see a future so you can heal mentally as well. I enjoyed the combination of illustrations and photographs as well. I think it's an engaging hybrid format.
January 10, 2021
Hard to believe that treatment of paraplegics so that they don't die almost immediately is so very recent. Ludwig Guttmann was put in charge of a ward of people with spinal injuries in the last years of WWII. At the time, everyone expected those patients to just die and Ludwig's job was considered a dead-end job. Ludwig turned everything around by removing patients from their full body casts, relentlessly turning every patient every 2 hours around the clock to prevent bedsores, by asking patients to sit up, by introducing physical therapy, by finding wheelchairs and getting people in them, and by starting an occupational therapy program.
Ludwig Guttmann is famous both for his treatment regimen for paraplegics and for the founding of the Paralympics. He saw sports as both an extension of physical therapy and as a motivator -- it gave patients a reason to get out of bed and to keep on living.
Ludwig Guttmann is famous both for his treatment regimen for paraplegics and for the founding of the Paralympics. He saw sports as both an extension of physical therapy and as a motivator -- it gave patients a reason to get out of bed and to keep on living.
November 27, 2021
I found this book on a recommended book list, and it did not disappoint! A Sporting Chance: How Paralympics Founder Ludwig Guttmann Saved Live with Sports by Lori Alexander tells about Ludwig's life. They start the story telling of a solider who was paralyzed by WWII. It then goes to tell how Ludwig got to be a doctor and open up his own ward for paralyzed individuals, who no one believed in. He changed his ways and went against advice from others. Eventually once the individuals believed that they could live a semi-normal life, he gave his patients the option to play sports. Eventually it grew larger and larger until it became the official Paralympics. This book was full of information and I loved how it balanced the story elements with parts with facts for more information. I would recommend this book to upper elementary (4th/5th) and middle school students. This book would be great for a study of different influential people or learning about the Olympics/Paralympics.
August 16, 2022
This is the perfect type of non-fiction book for middle grade readers. Plenty of illustrations and photos, with well-written and informative text and plenty of informational sidebars. Ludwig Guttmann was a German Jewish doctor who specialized in neurology. He and his family fled Germany for England after the rise of Hitler. In a new country where he didn't speak the language, it took him a while to return to the level of medicine he'd been practicing in Germany. But when he did he changed life for the better for all those suffering from spinal cord injuries. At his Stoke-Mandeville center, he changed the survival rate for paraplegics from a dismal 20% to 80% and better yet, he encouraged sport and activity as a way of strengthening his patients, as well as for their mental health. He began the Stoke-Mandeville Games where paralyzed athletes competed in a number of sports; this contest grew and became the Paralympic Games. Inspiring and heart-warming.
March 16, 2024
There is some information in this book which is good to regard. It did not seem to be politically weighted or biased in any particular way, as I had seen that the International Olympic Committee was particularly adamant about before.
However, personally, I still do not like the idea that it has taken so long for there to be a way for people who have something going on with them to have a way to participate. I looked through this book to see a relation to when the Olympic games were held but it was not present.
Although I think that I already knew the Athenian background for that, it was still somewhat disappointing not to see that mentioned at all.
My draw to this was that the author has the same surname as someone I knew. Then again, that is a common-enough sounding name, right? Who knows.
However, personally, I still do not like the idea that it has taken so long for there to be a way for people who have something going on with them to have a way to participate. I looked through this book to see a relation to when the Olympic games were held but it was not present.
Although I think that I already knew the Athenian background for that, it was still somewhat disappointing not to see that mentioned at all.
My draw to this was that the author has the same surname as someone I knew. Then again, that is a common-enough sounding name, right? Who knows.
January 24, 2021
An excellent non-fiction story of Ludwig Guttman's life and journey as a neurosurgeon. His inspirational dedication to helping those with spinal cord injuries is admirable. In addition this account is set during WWI & WWII so the reader sees how jewish people were treated and the cruel, inexcusable treatment from the Nazi's and hitler. Ludwig Guttman and his family face racism and he goes to great lengths to save other jewish doctors and men by admitting them to the hospital when they were healthy. He saved 60 lives. However, he is mostly remembered for introducing sports and the eventual paralymic games to the world.
Recommend: Grades 3 & up
Topics- biographies, 1930-1945 history, spinal cord injuries, paralympics
Recommend: Grades 3 & up
Topics- biographies, 1930-1945 history, spinal cord injuries, paralympics
June 20, 2021
I listened to the audiobook, but will search out a print copy to see the photographs. A well-written, inspiring story. Ludwig Guttman was a hero and really changed the world in a big way. I had never heard of him before, but am now inspired by his bravery fighting off anti-semitism, his passion to help those with spinal cord injuries, and his vision that sports benefit us in so many ways which led to the Stoke Mandeville Games and ultimately the Paralympic games.
I can't wait to share this book with my students---the material is powerful and hearing how people with spinal cord injuries were treated in the past (basically left to die)is hard, but the difference this one man made is astonishing.
I can't wait to share this book with my students---the material is powerful and hearing how people with spinal cord injuries were treated in the past (basically left to die)is hard, but the difference this one man made is astonishing.
July 18, 2022
I never really knew much about the Paralympics. This book shows that the history goes back so much deeper than I ever imagined. It tells us how Dr. Ludwig Guttmann was the first to figure out that spinal cord injuries didn't have to be a death sentence. He also was Jewish in a time of the Nazis. Eventually, he figured out how to adapt some sports for paraplegics. It's an interesting history that is going to be of interest to older kids interested in sports and possibly physical ailments and therapy. It would make for a good research book.
Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2020
"Sport has played a very important part in the
physical, psychological as well as social rehabilitation
of the paralysed, and the profound value of sport
in preventing these patients from retiring into
inactivity cannot be exaggerated."
—Dr. Ludwig Guttmann
This book beautifully explores Ludwig Guttmann's life, and his work to save lives. It's engaging and informative, and filled with real photographs and expressive illustrations. This book perfectly helps kids explore history, disabilities, perseverance and hope.
physical, psychological as well as social rehabilitation
of the paralysed, and the profound value of sport
in preventing these patients from retiring into
inactivity cannot be exaggerated."
—Dr. Ludwig Guttmann
This book beautifully explores Ludwig Guttmann's life, and his work to save lives. It's engaging and informative, and filled with real photographs and expressive illustrations. This book perfectly helps kids explore history, disabilities, perseverance and hope.
May 21, 2020
A Sporting Chance combines the facts, photos and history into a compelling biography of Ludwig Guttmann and how he came to create the Paralympic Games. I won this book and could not put it down after receiving it. The chapters are full of information and the book itself has so much research behind it, made clear by the bibliography, notes and time line. This is a great read aloud for middle graders and those independent readers in the upper grades who love biographies. Lori Alexander along with illustrator Allan Drummond have made a great book.
January 21, 2021
52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge - A character with a disability
Build Your Library Reading Challenge - A book about an issue that is important to you (helping people to live their best life possible, regardless of disability)
Booklist Queen's Reading Challenge - About an immigrant (born in Germany, but moved to England when the Nazi Party denied Jews working privileges)
Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge - A book with illustrations
Pretty Mess Reading Challenge - A book with less than 200 pages (128 pages)
A to Z Reading Challenge - A title starting with the letter "S"
Build Your Library Reading Challenge - A book about an issue that is important to you (helping people to live their best life possible, regardless of disability)
Booklist Queen's Reading Challenge - About an immigrant (born in Germany, but moved to England when the Nazi Party denied Jews working privileges)
Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge - A book with illustrations
Pretty Mess Reading Challenge - A book with less than 200 pages (128 pages)
A to Z Reading Challenge - A title starting with the letter "S"
March 23, 2021
As a Jew, Ludwig was lucky to get his family out of Germany in the 1930's. In England he was able o do research that led to the treatment of paraplegics, who had formally just been allowed to languish and die. His treatment led to a variety of therapies. He observed that a purpose in life supported people's healing. One day, noticing a group in wheel chairs attempting to play polo, he also saw the advantages of sports. He encouraged all sorts of adaptations and in 1948, the Stoke Mandevill Games began. By 1952, they were international and by 1960, were officially renamed Paralympics.
April 4, 2021
This book brings to light so many important things, it is hard to list them all. It reminds us of how, not that long ago, we simply gave up on so many amazing people. It shows us just how great a difference a single-minded individual can make, and how much advancement the world stood to lose, and lost, in the attempt to erase an entire nationality and culture.
It shows us once more how important it is to value everyone, to look beyond our differences, to recognize the person and not the disability, and to give everyone "A Sporting Chance."
It shows us once more how important it is to value everyone, to look beyond our differences, to recognize the person and not the disability, and to give everyone "A Sporting Chance."
October 2, 2019
This is an absolutely fascinating look at the history of the paralympics! Both the science behind the changes in medical treatments for spinal injuries and the subsequent changes in attitudes about the survivors. I had no idea that one person was responsible for so much progress in both areas! This was well told and easy to read and understand. Highly recommended for grades 3 & up.
ARC provided by publisher
ARC provided by publisher
December 29, 2020
This was so interesting! I never knew about the start of the Paralympic Games or Ludwig Guttman. My only complaint was worth the layout of the book. There were often inserts of text or photographs that posted the main text to the next page in awkward spots so I’d have to keep reading the main text and then turn back to read the insert or, if I read the insert first, the information didn’t totally make sense without the main text. Other than that, a great read!
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