She's honest about her despair, terror, and each of her other feelings, but she never loses her hope and determination even when faced with the possibility of death or the probability of lifelong paralysis or disability.Īnd through it all, she also never lost her sense of humor, choosing to have joy and make jokes even through immense pain, hardship, and loneliness. I feel for her as I read about each event and struggle she went through. I admire the author's courage, resilience, determination, joy, and will to survive and recover, and her immense spirit that couldn't be extinguished. The book vividly conveys each event - including the author's terrifying polio diagnosis, illness, and complete paralysis at the age of 12 facing great pain and the threat of death her long and difficult recovery each of the family members, roommates, and medical professionals who were with her each step of the way and much more.

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret is a true story of hope, healing, courage, resilience, and the determination to fight and win against a terrible disease despite overwhelming odds.Įach time I read Small Steps, I experience along with the author her joys and sorrows, her laughter and tears, her defeats and victories.

If I had to choose to name one book as the most inspiring book I've ever read, it just might be this one.

Small steps polio