Actually this is not a review of This Way Up by Rhett Brown since I am prone to bias because I had a hand in the very early editing stages of the book.
The purpose of this blog then is to encourage you to read the very raw and vulnerable account of a man in his late prime who had a simple mishap which resulted in his neck being broken. That resulted in tetraplegia (quadraplegia) and the loss of the use of 86% of his body. The net result of that is life confined to a wheelchair, which today are astonishing technological marvels.
The real story here, and nothing is spared, including the divulgence that men do indeed cry – not once, but many times, as Rhett tried to come to grips with his new life – is the process of adapting to a sudden and total change of life circumstance. An active runner, sportsman, fisherman, and hunter, the loss of the use of his body was especially tragic. We learn what tetraplegics have to deal with as everyday realities of chair-life. This Way Up is the very courageous exposure of deep grief and the ultimate brilliant story of how to make lemonade out of lemons.
The book itself took enormous courage to write, particularly with very limited use of his hands. That today Rhett has found a new calling which would never have otherwise occurred in speaking to construction sites all over New Zealand about site safety is testament to the fact that while there is life, there is a way to grow and develop, and to help others to grow and develop.
If Rhett had choices, I’m certain they wouldn’t include wheelchair life, but they have included several trips to Australia, Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, as well as the opening of aspects of life previously unconsidered, and a deep gratitude which hadn’t previously existed.
Rhett’s story is an inspiration. It is both highly informative about wheelchair life and complexities, and motivational through reading how obstacles become challenges rather than dead ends.
This Way Up by Rhett Brown retails for $NZ35 – order online at https://www.rhettbrown.co.nz/my-book.php
Theresa Sjoquist
Bioforce
Daily Organics
Theresa Sjoquist
