Shot Happens: I Got Shot, What's Your Problem

by Mike Schlappi

I did get shot - and it is my problem. A .38 caliber bullet fired at point-blank range, slammed into my chest, clipped my lung, narrowly missed my heart and lodged in my spine, paralyzing me from the chest down - and I had to deal with it. I still have to deal with it every day. That is my problem.

Now, what is your problem? What do you have to deal with today - or every day? Do you have something lodged in you - maybe not in your spine, but perhaps in your heart or mind - that causes you pain and makes you feel paralyzed one way or another?

What position are you taking relative to your problem? In other words, what is your attitude relative to your situation? Technically, that is what attitude is; it is simply a postion.

Are you tired of people in wheelchairs talking about attitude? Well, don't put this book down, because what it says about attitude will rock your world.

Genres: Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a point when I was reading this book that I thought I might be giving it five stars. I was very interested in Schlappi's definition of attitude and amazed by his ability to figure it all out at such a young age under such incredibly challenging circumstances. Then the book started to seem a little repetitive, like a one-note song. It is a short book, so maybe there is only time for one note. The rest of the book feels like he is somewhat glossing over subsequent challenges and perhaps overstating his Olympic success. I started to feel like he is hiding things. I get the importance of privacy, but he's holding himself up as an example and I'd like to hear more about his regular-life challenges.

Even so, I am very glad I read this book. I love the idea that a person can be in a very natural, understandable, and human bad mood because of circumstances, but still choose to position themselves in a progressive way that helps them get the life they want. It's like he's given me permission to feel upset. All my life I felt a sense of shame when I've felt negative emotions because I was told they were wrong or it was bad to feel that way. Rising above difficult circumstances is something I've struggled with my whole life. Schlappi has let me recognize a way to acknowledge the difficulties, be okay with those sad feelings, and still not give up on what I really want in life. That's why I am going to recommend this book. I'm surprised it hasn't been more widely read and reviewed.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nephew of the author was in my class and chose the author, his uncle, as his American Hero for a project. This book was donated to my classroom of fifth graders. After reading it, I don't think it's appropriate for ten and eleven year olds due to references about intimacy and "getting your wife pregnant." However, the author's accomplishments are amazing. Still, the book reads as if you were attending a presentation by the author. It needs more/different editing.

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder of what it takes to work through life. Wonderful insight. He is very human and honest.

[Mike Schlappi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Jonathan N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is vary good about a boy how has been shot and paralyzed

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is “I got shot. What’s your problem?” and that pretty well sums up the contents. But the author's attitude towards other people's problems isn't flippant or disparaging. He only means that whatever happens to you, things can still work out well. He was shot in the chest (accidentally) by a friend, just before his fifteenth birthday. Confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he has still managed to make lemonade out of his lemons. He’s been a Paralympic basketball star, wheelchair marathoner, and motivational speaker, besides marrying, having children, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and enjoying every other possible kind of recreation. The only thing he hasn’t been successful at, from my perspective, is writing. His book spends way too much time lecturing the reader about having a positive mental attitude. If he could have simply told what happened to him, and let the facts speak for themselves, the book would have been much better. Still, most of it is interesting reading, and I wasn’t sorry for the time it cost me.

[Faith High School · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triston D- I really liked this book! It's about a guy, that is a great athlete, and he gets shot, but even though he got shot, he still has a great positive attitude and still enjoyed life, even though he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Highly recommend!

Read By: Will Lutz
This was a great book. It's about this star athlete right before his big game he got shot by his best friend. This completely changed his life and he tells all of these amazing events that happened throughout his life.

Statler Walker- I thought this was a great book, as I was reading this it helped me realize that sometimes in life thing will not always go the way you want them. It has helped me to realize how lucky I am to be able to do the thing I love and not being paralyzed.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very inspiring book! Mike was shot at age 14. A .38 caliber bullet hit his chest, clipped his lung and lodged in his spine paralyzing him from the chest down. This is the story of how it affected him as a teenager and later. He was a positive thinker and a great athlete. He has 2 gold and 2 bronze medals. He accomplished much in his life, but just in a different way than he had planned. Any age person would love to read this book!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME book! One of the best I've read for the "self-motivation" category. I admit, this opinion may be skewed by the fact that I saw him in person at a conference where he was the keynote speaker. Still, I highly recommend it--and seeing him if possible.

[Mrs Grueb · Rating 5 out of 5]

After our students went to state student council convention and mentioned Schlappi's story, it intrigued me as my father's cousin was recently paralyzed from a workplace shooting. I was definitely inspired by his story, and I will recommend the book to my dad's cousin and her family.

[Kelly Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Mike at a conference in Utah a couple years ago. Terrific guy! What a great outlook on life.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book aloud to my kids. We all enjoyed it. Very inspiring and motivational. I've had the pleasure of meeting this author in person and hearing him speak, and he is truly an amazing man.

[Jason Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story of someone who took control of his life and tells his story with humor. The only thing better is hearing him in person, I have twice!