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Up and Running: The Inspiring True Story of a Boy's Struggle to Survive and Triumph
"A remarkable story about courage and comebacks. A wonderful book packed with hope and life. Highly recommended."—FaithfulReader.com
"The author masterfully depicts each scene with a unique form of cinematic realism that allows the reader to be a part of the deep emotions that are revealed throughout the pages of this book. In all my years of reviewing, I have never had a book affect me so much. I feel I have gained so much by having this experiencing of reading this book. The emotions and tears of pain, sorrow, and loss was mixed with joy, hope, and new foundations. No book even comes close to being able to show how tragedy can be met and overcome in a positive light. I strongly encourage anyone who finds himself in a difficult situation to consider this book as a source of strength and courage. I believe serious consideration should be given to turning this true-life story into a Lifetime Movie film. Very highly recommended."—Suzie Housley, MyShelf.com
While out with his family one night, six-year-old Andrew Bateson feels suddenly feverish. Although they do not yet know it, Andrew has bacterial meningitis, one of the fastest and deadliest of all infections.
Over the next three weeks, as Andrew lies in a coma, the hospital fights an often minute-by-minute battle to keep him alive. Overwhelmed, Andrew's parents pull away from each other, and their friends wonder if the marriage will survive. While doctors ultimately saved Andrew's life, they weren't able to save his legs. Both had to be amputated below the knees. Some questioned whether he would ever walk again. Yet as he recovered, Andrew stunned his family by saying he wanted to play ice hockey. What happened next stunned them even more.
Just the Way He Was Before is a true story of unexpected triumph—of medicine, family, and faith. And of the human spirit itself.
- GenresBiography
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2005
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 15, 2024
This is an emotional read. Many of the chapters are filled with very detailed medical issues and the solutions used to work to keep this young boy alive. It is also full of love, the power of family, friends and community. Andrew's personality is bigger than life. I had no idea of how horrendous bacterial meningitis can be.
Amazing, disturbing, spiritual and absolutely uplifting.
Amazing, disturbing, spiritual and absolutely uplifting.
August 17, 2019
great read , of a boy struggle to survive, all the odd . great courage.
December 3, 2020
I am trying to get the content of the book to read, because this is my first time learning of the book.
July 24, 2022
A very inspirational read that helps you realize that hope does exist even in the darkest of times.
May 27, 2025
What this kid endured and survived is amazing. Very repetitive though.
April 8, 2012
Up and Running by Mike Patinkin
1. This book begins in a town just outside of Providence, Rhode Island in the year 1997, but the family’s battle goes on for much longer.
2. In this inspiring story, a nine year-old boy named Andrew Bateson becomes ill on one normal 4th of July. His mother, Rebecca and his father Scott don't assume that it's anything out of the ordinary. Just a child with a high fever and that is the cause of him feeling tired. Andrew’s symptoms worsen and his illness gets more severe. He goes to the hospital thinking that his stay will be brief, but soon finds out news that will change his life forever. Andrew goes into a coma and his family is about to find out that he has Bacterial Meningitis, but that it is treatable and if acted upon fast enough, they can rid him of the disease. Then they found out what the cure was…amputation of their little boy’s legs from the knee down. Suddenly, Scott and Rebecca’s hearts drop; all of their hopes and dreams that they had for their son might not come true. After Andrew becomes conscious, he finds out about his legs having to be amputated and how his hands need to become fully functional again from being clutched for so long because of his coma. It’s a long, strenuous, and tiring road for Andrew to become functional again, but a very inspiring one that proves that anyone can do anything with some determination.
3. This book should most certainly be on a recommended reading list for high school students because it’s very inspiring and shows how you should be thankful for what you have; family, friends, and especially health. It may appeal to some teenagers because it may trigger the interests of some who enjoy inspiring tales, or who are interested in the affects of different illnesses. This is very good reading and you do get hooked. Once your hear Andrew’s story, you just don’t want to put it down until you know that everything turns out all right. The theme of this story is to show how we should feel lucky to have everything we’re given. I really enjoyed reading this because I found it very interesting and was a good, true story.
1. This book begins in a town just outside of Providence, Rhode Island in the year 1997, but the family’s battle goes on for much longer.
2. In this inspiring story, a nine year-old boy named Andrew Bateson becomes ill on one normal 4th of July. His mother, Rebecca and his father Scott don't assume that it's anything out of the ordinary. Just a child with a high fever and that is the cause of him feeling tired. Andrew’s symptoms worsen and his illness gets more severe. He goes to the hospital thinking that his stay will be brief, but soon finds out news that will change his life forever. Andrew goes into a coma and his family is about to find out that he has Bacterial Meningitis, but that it is treatable and if acted upon fast enough, they can rid him of the disease. Then they found out what the cure was…amputation of their little boy’s legs from the knee down. Suddenly, Scott and Rebecca’s hearts drop; all of their hopes and dreams that they had for their son might not come true. After Andrew becomes conscious, he finds out about his legs having to be amputated and how his hands need to become fully functional again from being clutched for so long because of his coma. It’s a long, strenuous, and tiring road for Andrew to become functional again, but a very inspiring one that proves that anyone can do anything with some determination.
3. This book should most certainly be on a recommended reading list for high school students because it’s very inspiring and shows how you should be thankful for what you have; family, friends, and especially health. It may appeal to some teenagers because it may trigger the interests of some who enjoy inspiring tales, or who are interested in the affects of different illnesses. This is very good reading and you do get hooked. Once your hear Andrew’s story, you just don’t want to put it down until you know that everything turns out all right. The theme of this story is to show how we should feel lucky to have everything we’re given. I really enjoyed reading this because I found it very interesting and was a good, true story.
April 16, 2010
Found this book at BigLots, looked interesting so I decided to give it a shot.
Definitely one of the most fascinating stories I'd read in a long time. Much of the book is focused on Andrew's falling ill and the emotional toll it took on his parents as he kept getting sicker to the point they finally accepted that amputating his legs was necessary. Many books gloss over this period in telling similar stories, but for parents who may face a seemingly endless stay in the PICU with their own kids, this may be a comfort in knowing that their experiences and ups and downs are not unique and that the nurses and staff are there for them.
The book did seem to go through the period between the surgery and his first set of 'new legs' rather quickly, but I suppose that because the book was about defying the expectations set out for a kid missing both legs, his recovery from the other complications of meningitis wasn't as important to tell the tale.
I believe any kid, especially one who was highly active and athletic, who finds him or herself affected by a sudden and permanent illness or injury that would ordinarily totally change an outlook on life to read this book or have parents read it and retell it to the child. I don't know how I'd have reacted in Andrew's situation, but if I were to be able to choose, his mentality is the kind I'd go with.
From a reading perspective, my only other negative was that the author jumped around a little. In one chapter he references a 'girls night out' that his mother took around the 1 year anniversary of Andrew's release from the hospital, and the next chapter he discusses how the family was planning to address the 1 year anniversary of his falling ill, so there is a chance of getting confused chronologically, but all told, I found it easy to follow
Definitely one of the most fascinating stories I'd read in a long time. Much of the book is focused on Andrew's falling ill and the emotional toll it took on his parents as he kept getting sicker to the point they finally accepted that amputating his legs was necessary. Many books gloss over this period in telling similar stories, but for parents who may face a seemingly endless stay in the PICU with their own kids, this may be a comfort in knowing that their experiences and ups and downs are not unique and that the nurses and staff are there for them.
The book did seem to go through the period between the surgery and his first set of 'new legs' rather quickly, but I suppose that because the book was about defying the expectations set out for a kid missing both legs, his recovery from the other complications of meningitis wasn't as important to tell the tale.
I believe any kid, especially one who was highly active and athletic, who finds him or herself affected by a sudden and permanent illness or injury that would ordinarily totally change an outlook on life to read this book or have parents read it and retell it to the child. I don't know how I'd have reacted in Andrew's situation, but if I were to be able to choose, his mentality is the kind I'd go with.
From a reading perspective, my only other negative was that the author jumped around a little. In one chapter he references a 'girls night out' that his mother took around the 1 year anniversary of Andrew's release from the hospital, and the next chapter he discusses how the family was planning to address the 1 year anniversary of his falling ill, so there is a chance of getting confused chronologically, but all told, I found it easy to follow
April 12, 2011
Inspiring story of a young man and his family who did not let a terrifying illness and its aftereffects keep him down. When he lost his legs due to meningitis, his indomitable spirit and determination kept him going and enabled him to far exceed anyone's expectations for what he would be able to do with two prosthetic legs!
January 17, 2016
In July of 1996, Andrew Bateson was stricken with bacterial meningitis. Mark Patinkin did a wonderful job telling not only Andrew's story of but his parents story. Truly an inspirational and heartbreaking book. Great pictures but some a little hard to look at. It is truly amazing how fast the bacterial meningitis spread and all the damage it did.
September 19, 2008
Again another inspirational book....they're my favorite! This kid is amazing though...he was on the Today Show a couple of years ago. Lost both of his legs due to an infection he got. And you can tell from the cover of the book that he doesn't let much stop him...
June 16, 2009
Although the writing style left a lot to be desired, the story of amazing resilience is worth a read. I'm keeping this one for my sons when they get older.
September 19, 2012
Enjoyed this true story about how a 6 year old boy survives meningitis. And how the family and health care providers around him dealt with the whole situation.
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November 22, 2014this book is good. I think kids in sixth grade are going to like this
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews