My Prosthetic Life: A Memoir

by Laura Kendall

Have you ever felt terminally unique? Like a square peg unable to fit into round hole? Has being physically different or feeling alone in the world been challenging? Waiting for life to begin after it’s half over isn’t necessary.

Thalidomide survivor, Laura Kendall, will tell you how she discovered letting go was possible without leaving claw marks. She hopes her story will pave the way
This memoir is for you if you lack self-love, confidence or wish to be free from whatever keeps you in the dark. We are only here for a short time. Life is only as difficult as we make it and no one has to take the long way home.

Genres: Memoir

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2022

Reviews

[Darya Silman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura Kendall used a quote by Brene Brown in her book My Prosthetic Life: A Memoir: One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone's survival guide. Laura Kendell wrote in hopes to make a difference, at least for one reader; then all her efforts in finishing the memoir would be worthwhile. Born with a birth defect, the author faced the same challenges any person with low self-esteem and a lot of inner anger has to go through. She went a long way to be able to write as she does, freely, with humor, and with acceptance of her own insecurities. In her book, she describes the life-long struggle to blend in and feel recognized for who she was, not for how she looked.

The author's writing style is one of a conversation, where the author, wearing a heart on her sleeve, leads the readers through her life: a tough childhood, dearest friendships, a love of music, and multiple addictions. Emotions are the driving force of the book. Hence, the story looks a little bit hectic on the outside. I'd say a book of such a personal nature suits the author's friends and family rather than the outsiders. Yet undoubtedly, readers can use the book as a mirror to find something for themselves in the author's journey to self-discovery.

I received an advance review copy through BookSirens, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

very sweet and inspiring

This was such an engaging story I couldn’t put it down. Her life reads like a literal novel. So many interesting adventures and everything put together in a heroes journey style. The writing is eloquent and keeps you engaged. Absolutely loved it.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-moving, concise, easy read.

Laura Kendall is in her 60s now. She was born without a left wrist and hand. By chapter 3 she hadn't yet said of the possible cause/reason, and I was wondering if it was something I'd heard of. When she does reveal, it was what I was thinking, though I didn't know that was found to cause so many other terrible birth defects she mentions, as well as lack of proper limb growth.

This has brief chapters so it's quick reading, and moves along well. She tells of how she's coped; how people have reacted to her/treated to her-good and bad; different prostheses she’s had, how she’s had to get used to them, and the different ways they work.

It has medical, and family circumstances and complexities too. It's unpredictable, emotional, and a few smiles are in there too. A good memoir.

[Roger Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Book Review 📚

This is a book review of My Prosthetic Life by Laura Kendall

This story is a memoir written by a woman, Laura, who was born with a birth defect and the challenges and struggles she faced throughout her life. Laura's handicap was being born with an underdeveloped left arm, without a wrist or hand. The defect was initially attributed to her mother taking a drug used commonly at the time to treat morning sickness, Thalidomide. As the widespread use of Thalidomide increased, so did the reports of serious birth defects, both internally and externally.
The author structures her life’s story from the beginning, as a toddler growing up, and the impact strangers, had on her upon seeing her deformity and the fact that she was “different”. As Laura got older, she soon established coping mechanisms to appear less conspicuous, including hiding her arm as a young child from onlookers to the using of illicit drugs to escape the reality of her predicament. The story goes on to chronicle her life, her marriages, children, friends, and major events, in addition to her failures and successes.
Laura’s story was a tale I could relate to, not because I have a disability, but because I was one of those kids who would see another child with a physical disability and want to know why. As a young child, I would ask my mother why another child was disabled, and her patented answer was always, “because they were born that way”. I didn’t question her response, I just moved on. Laura Kendall’s story is eye-opening from the perspective of a person living with a physical disability. The world-building was fabulous, taking the reader on a journey that can best be conferred by a person who has ventured this route. The characters in the book were well-developed and presented well. I found the flow of the story comfortable to comprehend and follow.
I would recommend My Prosthetic Life to anyone looking for a fascinating story and especially people who want to get a better understanding of the life of a person living with a physical disability. The book will give the reader a better understanding of the complexities of a person living with a disability, not only the physical impact but the emotional and psychological effects.
I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[AEB Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial cursorily that drew me to Laura Kendall's memoir My Prosthetic Life came admittedly at a level of crude intrigue, subconsciously seeking answers to the questions any able-bodied person would have in response to anyone who has grown up with of a prosthetic limb. "Do you resent the drugs companies who prescribed thalidomide to pregnant mothers?", "what is it like to navigate airport security?", "how do different prosthetic limbs compare, how do they operate day-to-day?" But as I dug deeper into this memoir I realised this title is so much more than that.

There is more to Kendall's humanistic storytelling than cold metal and plastic, more to her than the clinical definition of her condition (phocomelia of the left arm). In this memoir there is instead a real sense of warmth and inclusion, with an approach to writing that is open, honest and candid in nature. She shares images of a joyful youth, coupled with the struggles of growing up in a highly conservative household and parental abandonment from the choices made in later life. Tales of love and laughter in lavish surroundings sit next to a deeply troubled scene of a failed attempt to commit suicide (prevented by the intervention of her husband). It really is a roller-coaster of emotions, transporting the reader on a journey that absorbs every element of Kendall's life. You come away appreciating the challenges Kendall has overcome, with the hint of modesty that acknowledges there are things that could have done differently (a theme particularly present in her references to drug addiction and her role as a mother).

Some of the earlier chapters are pone to causing confusion, where Kendall's chapter structuring moves readers a bit too briskly from recent experiences to childhood upbringing (and then back again). There is also a heavier focus on particular life stages versus others (personally I felt more could have been said on Kendall's teenage years and the High School system). That said, this is an insightful read and nothing less than a case study on how, regardless of outward appearances, we are unified by the challenges we face.


AEB Reviews

[Georgia Stipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

PROUD

I laugh and cried in your book because felt some of the frustration and your anger, the joy , happiness through the book. Being afraid when Michelle was born that you couldn’t do the things a normal mom could do but you overlook the fact every new mom thinks that. I know you did the best just like all the new mother in world we’re all afraid . But know what you are great mother and fantastic grandmother. But had laugh where you learning how baseball show me how resilient you were you even tried to learn and play the organ and the guitar. I’m proud of you everything you had to do to over come because it has made you great person and a wonderful friend. I only commented on few things in your book because this where laughed and cried , the rest of the book was a bonus look into life so stay and believe to be continued in the other book one day.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir tells the author's story growing up with a disability caused by a drug called Thalidomide, taken by her mother while pregnant. With no arm, the author experienced significant difficulties, both physical and emotional, that she learned to embrace and accept over time. This memoir reminds readers that no matter the difficulties you face, you can overcome and sometimes the hand you are dealt is one that is meant to help you become resilient.

I found the book jumped around a fair amount, making it a bit hard to follow as it was more theme based than chronological. Aside from that it was fairly well written and a book I would likely recommend to people who are interested in memoirs about disability. Thanks to Booksirens and the author for giving me the chance to read and review this story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.