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A Life Like Anybody Else: How a Man with an Intellectual Disability Fulfilled His American Dream
“A book told in the voice of an individual with disabilities is a rarity. This book — so rich and full, so vivid and moving, so free of cliché, so bursting with hope — is a marvel.” — Rachel Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Riding the Bus with My Sister and The Story of Beautiful Girl
“Wonderful ... Informative and inspirational … A different perspective.” — Barbara E. Bromley, Ph.D., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
“Michael Long tells the truth in this book. And truth about what it means to be a human being is hard to come by.” — Nancy R. Thaler, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Michael S. Long is a dreamer, and this candid memoir brings you into those dreams and into the reality of life with a disability.
Born with an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, Michael takes you right along with him as he recounts his youth and teen years — when he was mocked, ridiculed and branded “a retard” — through his young adult life, when he learned to truly believe in himself and in the power of his potential.
Michael will win you over with his plainspoken style as he shares how he fulfilled his dreams — to have a home of his own, a career, and someone to love — and offers the inspiration to go after your own heart’s fondest desires, no matter what.
CRITICAL PRAISE
"Every page is full of breathtaking honesty, hard-won insights, love for others so deep you feel it in your own bones, clarity about the rights of people with disabilities, and enthusiasm for all life has to offer, from education to employment to civic involvement to romance to living the American Dream. His journey from child to man is populated by many naysayers who put him down and tell him what he cannot do, but also caring parents, good friends, and one teacher who made a huge difference. As I read on, watching Michael come to believe in himself, move into an independent life, and strive to make his mark on the world, my emotions rose and fell and rose again — until he becomes a prominent and influential self-advocate and public speaker, and then, my heart soared." — Rachel Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Riding the Bus with My Sister and The Story of Beautiful Girl
“Michael has made presentations in my Mainstreaming and Special Education classes for a number of years. I cannot praise Michael’s contributions enough ... He is an example of the results for which we all strive.” — Patricia M. Phipps, Ph.D., Professor / Special Education, California State University, Chico
“Michael Long has been a visionary pioneer forging dreams of a future where people with disabilities are living, working, learning, and playing in communities that recognize the value of all people. He is an outspoken, courageous leader and ‘hero’ in the self-advocacy movement. ... I have personally witnessed the transformation in others when they have been ‘touched’ by Michael — he is a unique and generous human being.
“Wonderful ... Informative and inspirational … A different perspective.” — Barbara E. Bromley, Ph.D., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
“Michael Long tells the truth in this book. And truth about what it means to be a human being is hard to come by.” — Nancy R. Thaler, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Michael S. Long is a dreamer, and this candid memoir brings you into those dreams and into the reality of life with a disability.
Born with an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, Michael takes you right along with him as he recounts his youth and teen years — when he was mocked, ridiculed and branded “a retard” — through his young adult life, when he learned to truly believe in himself and in the power of his potential.
Michael will win you over with his plainspoken style as he shares how he fulfilled his dreams — to have a home of his own, a career, and someone to love — and offers the inspiration to go after your own heart’s fondest desires, no matter what.
CRITICAL PRAISE
"Every page is full of breathtaking honesty, hard-won insights, love for others so deep you feel it in your own bones, clarity about the rights of people with disabilities, and enthusiasm for all life has to offer, from education to employment to civic involvement to romance to living the American Dream. His journey from child to man is populated by many naysayers who put him down and tell him what he cannot do, but also caring parents, good friends, and one teacher who made a huge difference. As I read on, watching Michael come to believe in himself, move into an independent life, and strive to make his mark on the world, my emotions rose and fell and rose again — until he becomes a prominent and influential self-advocate and public speaker, and then, my heart soared." — Rachel Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Riding the Bus with My Sister and The Story of Beautiful Girl
“Michael has made presentations in my Mainstreaming and Special Education classes for a number of years. I cannot praise Michael’s contributions enough ... He is an example of the results for which we all strive.” — Patricia M. Phipps, Ph.D., Professor / Special Education, California State University, Chico
“Michael Long has been a visionary pioneer forging dreams of a future where people with disabilities are living, working, learning, and playing in communities that recognize the value of all people. He is an outspoken, courageous leader and ‘hero’ in the self-advocacy movement. ... I have personally witnessed the transformation in others when they have been ‘touched’ by Michael — he is a unique and generous human being.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2020
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 22, 2021
As a person with Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus as well as visual impairments, I am always searching for books by, or about people living with the same disabilities as me or other medical conditions because there weren't many books of this type when I was growing up (or at least none that resonated with me because of my age group). That was, until I reached adulthood.
Michael Long tells the story of his life from what he was told about his birth to his experiences in education to life in general. Although the cause of our Cerebral Palsy is different, I always feel an immediate affinity with others with it and want to know their story.
I am not American and have never been to California before (although I would love to go).
Through this memoir I felt I got an idea of Michael's life, from where he lived to his family dynamics.
I was utterly immersed from the beginning to the end in all aspects of Michael's life.
I too have done some things to spread awareness of my disabilities but I have only taken part in one awareness weekend. I also use social media and my blog to spread awareness.
I would love to take part in more events, because during that weekend I met amazing people with similar experiences and it was no longer a feeling of "us or them" mentality that I experienced with a lot of people.
I, like Michael, have found out just by living life in my own unique way that self advocacy is key to getting where you want in life or as close to it as possible.
The structure of the book is easy to follow and focuses on the important aspects of life and the kinds of things people want to know about someone (family, school and other parts of their life).
Michael has a unique way of telling his story and the book is full of anecdotes and experiences. It is so informative yet relaxing and by the end I felt I "knew" Michael although we have never met.
The novel is a nice length and flows so well that is is just a joy to have on my Kindle. I have many memoirs by people with disabilities that are different to mine, but so far only two by people with CP and I identify with the memoirs by people with CP more since it is a condition I live with.
I congratulate Michael hugely on being part of the self advocacy movement and for this unforgettable memoir.
I think people with Cerebral Palsy, or another disability or people without any type of disability will learn so many life lessons from this book. It is one that I highly recommend, not just as a fellow person with CP but as a memoir in general because it made such an impression on me.
Thanks to Michael S. Long and Karl Williams for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Michael Long tells the story of his life from what he was told about his birth to his experiences in education to life in general. Although the cause of our Cerebral Palsy is different, I always feel an immediate affinity with others with it and want to know their story.
I am not American and have never been to California before (although I would love to go).
Through this memoir I felt I got an idea of Michael's life, from where he lived to his family dynamics.
I was utterly immersed from the beginning to the end in all aspects of Michael's life.
I too have done some things to spread awareness of my disabilities but I have only taken part in one awareness weekend. I also use social media and my blog to spread awareness.
I would love to take part in more events, because during that weekend I met amazing people with similar experiences and it was no longer a feeling of "us or them" mentality that I experienced with a lot of people.
I, like Michael, have found out just by living life in my own unique way that self advocacy is key to getting where you want in life or as close to it as possible.
The structure of the book is easy to follow and focuses on the important aspects of life and the kinds of things people want to know about someone (family, school and other parts of their life).
Michael has a unique way of telling his story and the book is full of anecdotes and experiences. It is so informative yet relaxing and by the end I felt I "knew" Michael although we have never met.
The novel is a nice length and flows so well that is is just a joy to have on my Kindle. I have many memoirs by people with disabilities that are different to mine, but so far only two by people with CP and I identify with the memoirs by people with CP more since it is a condition I live with.
I congratulate Michael hugely on being part of the self advocacy movement and for this unforgettable memoir.
I think people with Cerebral Palsy, or another disability or people without any type of disability will learn so many life lessons from this book. It is one that I highly recommend, not just as a fellow person with CP but as a memoir in general because it made such an impression on me.
Thanks to Michael S. Long and Karl Williams for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
August 5, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this from the Publicist of this book. That in no way reflects my thoughts or this review. The book stands on its own merits.
Wow. Just WOW. This book was just so POWERful. Mr. Long is an amazing man. He has an intellectual disability, but he never let that description define who he was, who he is and who he wanted to be. The following quote sums up his wisdom to me.
"You got to be able to, first of all, believe in yourself and be able to accept yourself, because if you can't accept yourself, you won't be able to accept the people around you. ... It took me twenty-four years to be able to accept who I was."
How many of us have been able to look at ourselves, really LOOK, and to accept what we see? Or to realize we wanted to be more, better, different, and actually DID something about it?
I'm STILL struggling with that and I'm a lot older than 24 and I suspect a lot of us are in that same boat.
The strength that Mr. Long had and has, to be so self-aware and to have dreams and goals and to work towards obtaining them legitimately, to not have anything handed to him or to hurt anyone while on his way to achieving those goals is a testament to his tenacity and gentle soul.
I was bullied in middle school, so reading about what he went through his entire childhood was very sad and struck a nerve with me. The fact that he can share that with others and to have overcome it, to not be bitter and vengeful, is so powerful to read.
I highly recommend this book. I am strongly suggesting it to my church's book club and plan on hand selling this book at my store to just about anyone who walks in.
It's empowering, it's hopeful and it shows without a glimmer of a doubt that, no matter what someone is labeled as by society, that is NOT who they are. Every single person is a human being, with thoughts, feelings, needs and wants. To forget that because of how someone is labeled is a sin and a shame. This book is an important reminder of that fact and Mr. Long is someone I look up to as an advocate for those who don't always have a voice in our society.
I am incredibly glad that I read this book and highly recommend that everyone do so as well. It's life changing. 5, yeah this book made me tear up and smile, stars.
Wow. Just WOW. This book was just so POWERful. Mr. Long is an amazing man. He has an intellectual disability, but he never let that description define who he was, who he is and who he wanted to be. The following quote sums up his wisdom to me.
"You got to be able to, first of all, believe in yourself and be able to accept yourself, because if you can't accept yourself, you won't be able to accept the people around you. ... It took me twenty-four years to be able to accept who I was."
How many of us have been able to look at ourselves, really LOOK, and to accept what we see? Or to realize we wanted to be more, better, different, and actually DID something about it?
I'm STILL struggling with that and I'm a lot older than 24 and I suspect a lot of us are in that same boat.
The strength that Mr. Long had and has, to be so self-aware and to have dreams and goals and to work towards obtaining them legitimately, to not have anything handed to him or to hurt anyone while on his way to achieving those goals is a testament to his tenacity and gentle soul.
I was bullied in middle school, so reading about what he went through his entire childhood was very sad and struck a nerve with me. The fact that he can share that with others and to have overcome it, to not be bitter and vengeful, is so powerful to read.
I highly recommend this book. I am strongly suggesting it to my church's book club and plan on hand selling this book at my store to just about anyone who walks in.
It's empowering, it's hopeful and it shows without a glimmer of a doubt that, no matter what someone is labeled as by society, that is NOT who they are. Every single person is a human being, with thoughts, feelings, needs and wants. To forget that because of how someone is labeled is a sin and a shame. This book is an important reminder of that fact and Mr. Long is someone I look up to as an advocate for those who don't always have a voice in our society.
I am incredibly glad that I read this book and highly recommend that everyone do so as well. It's life changing. 5, yeah this book made me tear up and smile, stars.
September 3, 2021
This is such a precious book and I'd love to be able to have a long visit with Mr. Long simply to enjoy being with someone so honest and light. This book is an important read for anyone who needs to learn what resilience really looks like. I will give this book to the Houston area School Behavioral Health Organization because he has the insight as to how children deemed "different" feel about how school is for them.
His American Dream is ultimately attained through his own "Self Advocacy" which is a lesson for us all. I was most taken with his desire for acceptance of self and peace. It was heartening to learn he found both. Precious read.
His American Dream is ultimately attained through his own "Self Advocacy" which is a lesson for us all. I was most taken with his desire for acceptance of self and peace. It was heartening to learn he found both. Precious read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews