A Leg to Stand On: An Amputee's Walk into Motherhood

***Spoiler alert*** This book is well written with enough detail to picture yourself there. Her book has made me cry, cheer her on, laugh.. And cry some more. As an amputee mother of 2 kids myself, who lost her entire leg at age 17. I can put myself in her shoes. (Or shoe lol) With each chapter I found myself nodding my head yes in agreement to how she felt...and lost quite a bit of respect for after the 7th chapter. Have an abortion and cheer yourself up by going skiing?! Really?! I myself do believe in God. (Coming from a very big religious family...of 10 children total growing up on a farm) I would just like to ask her how she could have done that? Yes u thought god had taken your leg...maybe He gave you a blessing. If selfishness of not having your prostetic leg fit can scare you into that... .you must be selfish. I was fitted for my leg at age 19 when I was 4 weeks pregnant and had no idea a baby was in me! My man had just lost his job and we were going to have to live my mother or be homeless. But Guess what. I kept that beautiful baby boy. Who reminds me every day...gaining weight and that leg not fitting me anymore does not matter. His life does. And I chose to sacrifice my leg not fitting...it sits in the closet now collecting dust while my son watches cartoons next to me. it was Used once. I tasted that freedom of walking and gave it up. Pregnant on crutches. My MOTHER helped quite a bit. You ma'am had a mother and a big family that would have helped you thru your pregnancy as well. Maybe just maybe you survived that crash to bless a barren family with a child of their own. ADOPTION. I'm on chapter 9...I will finish this book. It is a great book. I reccomend it. However, I've lost respect for someone who I thought I could look up to. I may update this once I've finished the book.

I finished this booking, wanting more. I was very impressed with the writing style and the pace of the story. This is a story about overcoming physical challenges while growing emotionally. You can't help but root for Colleen, rather than feel sorry for her because she is growing stronger as a person and isn't looking for pity. As a mother of a toddler, this story has made me reevaluate what I consider challenges in my daily life and it makes me want to be a better wife and mother rather than get upset about any of these small challenges. I absolutely loved how Colleen was able to put her honest feelings and actions out there for all of us to follow. Her honesty made the story so interesting and inspirational. Highly recommend.

This is beautiful story telling.And it is an excellent choice for book clubs. The author weaves us through her young adulthood and motherhood since losing her leg suddenly when she was a high school senior---the time in life when we all are beginning to ask out how we fit in the world and spread our wings.The author's own story is really everyone's story as it gently prompts the reader to remember that no matter the challenges we have been given, big or small, we need to move forward with honesty, forgiveness and gratitude.An excellent read!

An amazing book about overcoming adversity, personal growth and forgiveness. Colleen Haggerty brutally honest and spares no detail. She is an inspiration. A great uplifting book for anyone who has or is going through a tough time.

Good book came on time

Colleen's candid account of living as an amputee from a young age and her bravery in dealing with daily challenges is inspiring. As a strong woman who finds love as a wife and mother, she shares her remarkable journey to forgiveness. Well worth reading.

An inspiring story about life's challenges and decisions. I found it to be inspirational. This a no-holds-barred recount of a remarkable woman's life. She tells of life as an amputee, giving readers a peek at the challenges faced by circumstances thrust upon a person.

A stunning and clear-sighted story that made me grateful for my own two legs—and so many other things I take for granted. Highly recommend.

Being an amputee myself, I felt the book was a let-down. Too negative. Sure there are adjustments that we need to make, but if we feel sorry for ourselves as the author does, is not healthy.Not being religious or Catholic there were too many religious references for me.

Colleen Haggerty's book is easy to read and engaging. Her reflections on how challenges and opportunities shaped her journey are relatable, even though few of us can imagine the combination of life circumstances she faced. Self-esteem, faith, reconciliation, the tensions between abilities and disabilities, and the complexities of human relationships are all here to consider. Congratulations to her for having the courage and perseverance to 'birth' the book, which we can suppose is its own worthwhile but difficult process. I especially like the skiing chapters.