Must Unlikely to Succeed Review & Giveaway

 

Most Unlikely to Succeed: The Trials, Travels and Ultimate Triumphs of a "Throwaway" Kid (5 City Media, 2011) is a memoir by Nelson Lauver. In his memoir Nelson Lauver tells his tale of going from the "All-American" kid to consciously becoming the "Bad Kid" (in 3rd grade) to avoid the humiliation of being considered the "dumb kid" all because of a undiagnosed learning disability, dyslexia. It tells of the sometimes appalling happenings that occurred while he was growing up, until at the age of 29 he finally found the support, help and diagnosis he needed to learn to read and write and become the man he is today.

Here is the synopsis from the back cover of Most Unlikely to Succeed:

Most Unlikely to Succeed blends humor, storytelling, irony, and raw emotion as it offers inspiration and shares such powerful life lessons as:

• Finding the strength to get back up after being knocked down

• Moving past your fears and discovering your voice

• Learning to champion your own cause

• Believing in yourself when no one else does

• Overcoming insurmountable odds

Life in idyllic 1960's McAlisterville, Pennsylvania seems so promising to young Nelson Lauver. But undiagnosed dyslexia soon turns hope and optimism into struggle and shame as he falls far behind in school, and is branded as lazy. Confused, angry and determined not to be the "dumb kid," he chooses instead to become the "bad kid," ending up a loner at odds with the world--and with himself. Nelson resigns himself to being hopelessly different, and joins the ranks of millions of Americans who try to hide their inability to read and write.

At age 29, a chance encounter leads to a diagnosis of dyslexia and a profound rebirth. Ironically, the boy who was afraid to have anyone hear him try to read launches a new career as a writer, broadcaster and speaker.

An estimated 10 to 20 percent of Americans suffer from a learning disability

14 percent of American adults are considered functionally illiterate

More than personalizing these sober statistics, this uplifting memoir goes beyond one man's account of rising above a learning disability. Most Unlikely to Succeed is an inspirational story that will speak eloquently and profoundly to anyone who has ever struggled to be heard, to be understood, or to make their way in the world.

I was given a copy of Most Unlikely to Succeed to read and review. This book really pulled at my heart strings. It touched on many of my fears for my 4 year old in the future. My child has some special needs that I have been working on and battling to get services for through our public school system for a year now (we worked with early intervention prior to that and saw significant progress). I am very glad that educational awareness of special needs has progressed from the days the author was growing up (and I am very glad disciplinary methods are a bit different now as well), but I believe parents really need to be aware and ready to be proactive when necessary--many children will special needs can become successful & productive members of society if they are given the attention needed to help them learn to deal with and overcome those problem areas. 

Most Unlikely to Succeed: The Trials, Travels and Ultimate Triumphs of a "Throwaway" Kid,

the memoirs of Nelson Lauver, is wonderfully inspirational and an excellent read for any parent or educator!

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Giveaway ends Sunday, May 1st

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Thank you to American Storyteller for my sample used in this review and for the winners prize.  Opinions are honest.  Review by Michelle.

 

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