In this inspirational autobiography, the author shares his journey of death, paralysis from neck down, and a conversation with God. He shares his story of faith-driven determination--relearning how to breathe, to movement, and adjusting to being disabled while living the rest of his days on earth for the purpose of bringing as many people to God's kingdom. Reflecting back, the author refers to the experience as "a stroke of blessing."

"Tedy gives you something to believe in. Whether we're winning or losing, he holds his head high, and he knows himself and handles himself so well, others can't help but follow him. The way he practices and plays forces you to become a better teammate; the way he demands hustle and toughness forces you to become a better leader; and the way he carries himself inspires you to become a better person. This made his return to playing on October 30 against Buffalo all the more electrifying. The stadium was louder that night than the nights we had raised our Super Bowl banners. Our captain, our leader, our inspiration was back on the field doing what he loved to do. Tedy had spent months rehabbing, had countless doctor visits, and had undergone hundreds of tests trying to play again. Just eight months after our victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, here we were celebrating a much bigger victory on our home field. Sure it was great to win the game, but that night we were celebrating Tedy's return as he showed us teammates, fans, family, and friends what it takes to become victorious in life. "You might be coming to this book as a fan of Tedy's football skills and, don't get me wrong, gaining the insights of one of the best defenders in Patriots history is worth the price of admission, but that's just part of the story. There are a lot of reasons to look up to him, and I promise you will finish this book with an admiration for him on a much deeper level." --Tom Brady (from the Foreword)

I never paid too much attention about my health. I ignored the symptoms for months. Thank God for looking out for me and my ignorance. I should have paid attention to the constant headaches, weariness and constantly feeling tired. I was being unreasonable as there were so many days I was drained and worn out. I did not have any idea as to why my sugar level stayed elevated. I sort of watched the things I was eating. I found out that many things can elevate your sugar level. I had deluded myself for a long time. It was not until I became chronically ill and then I could tell everyone, having a stroke is such a rude awakening. It is a sad situation losing your thoughts, your mobility and almost losing your life. It is so tough realizing you can barely move. My story shows how God specializes in anything and everything that has appeared as impossible. My life took such a turn as I could not think, be in motion, or simply talk. If you have any rivers you think you cannot cross just tell yourself God specializes as He carries you through. Jesus had my entire situation in the palms of His hands. As I think back how my family was so torn apart, frighten, and afraid over how distort things had gotten. My right side had become dormant. I really needed a great deal of help after the Lord stepped in and showed everyone I would live and not die. I vividly was lying from down in that hospital from day-to-day telling myself Jesus is that perfect answer. I laid there almost in a comatose state. I was able to think if we have any mountains that we think cannot climb, Jesus will pick you up and enable you to do what seems is without a solution any particular situation regardless to what it is He will help us to climb this mountain. He did it for me and He will do it for anyone who asks for help. My situation of having a stroke was so graphic. My entire family was so devastated. I was one who was so energetic preaching, teaching, running and working through the community. I stayed busy trying to help others rather than really taking good care of myself. Thank God for looking out for me because I had been deceived mentally. I am working hard to get better. I can tell somebody God does specialize in anything that has presented itself to impossible.

On his 51st birthday, Gordon Viggiano suffered a massive stroke, dramatically changing his and his family's lives. While he is lost in the fog of his stroke, his wife, Jill, is faced with the terrible reality of caring for her disabled husband, raising their two children, and seemingly inevitable financial ruin. The strength of their faith, marriage and family are tested. In Painful Blessing, Jill tells the story of devastating loss, hope that comes from the faith that sustains her, finding joy in their new life, and the decision to embrace recovery as both a team sport and a lifetime endeavor. "was one of the most compelling patient perspective talks that I have ever heard. " Stan Barnwell, M.D, Ph.D. OHSU "Jill made their experience relevant to our audience by sharing how the disability insurance coverage that their family had purchased made it possible for them to meet their financial obligations." Janet Schober The Standard "I heard from a number of the members of the group after you all left (as many stayed another hour or so) and they loved it, especially the parallels of the presentation to business life and personal life." John Friess Starve Ups "Your story is a window into what others may be experiencing and how critical is the need for compassionate, competent healthcare." Mark Charpentier Kaiser Permanente "The Viggiano story - is truly amazing and inspiring." Chris McReynolds Wellsource ..".and the discipline and drive you have shown in the face of profound adversity showed us all that with great effort, great accomplishments are possible." Randy Weber Zapproved "You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Folks were so riveted by the experience." Sharon Soliday The Hello Foundation

this book is for anyone who has suffered a severe illness, catastrophic injury, caretakers, family members and anyone who cannot work again. it is about a 51-year-old active, independent, healthy, Christian woman who was doing what she loved running a art business and working for a travel company. On October 8, 2008 she suffered a massive stroke that would change her life forever. The word recovery represents not just getting back her physical body but obtaining the things she would need to get her life back. She tells of her miraculous recovery and her faith and trust in God knowing he would bring her through the many challenges she would face to obtain what she had worked many years for. With her determination and perseverance she endured until she obtained everything she needed to make her whole again. Such as: a income, health insurance and transportation. This book will provide insight into the process of recovery to help others avoid the unnecessary pitfalls that she went through. Her goal is to eliminate the question for others of

When all seems lost, where can you find hope? Katherine and Jay Wolf married right after college and sought adventure far from home in Los Angeles, CA. As they pursued their dreams--she as a model and he as a lawyer--they planted their lives in the city and their church community. Their son, James, came along unexpectedly in the fall of 2007, and just six months later, everything changed in a moment for this young family. On April 21, 2008, as James slept in the other room, Katherine collapsed, suffering a massive brain stem stroke without warning. Miraculously, Jay came home in time and called for help. Katherine was immediately rushed into brain surgery, though her chance of survival was slim. As the sun rose the next morning, the surgeon proclaimed that Katherine had survived the removal of part of her brain, though her future recovery was uncertain. Yet in that moment, there was a spark of hope. Through forty days on life support in the ICU and nearly two years in full-time brain rehab, that small spark of hope was fanned into flame. Hope Heals documents Katherine and Jay's journey as they struggled to regain Katherine's quality of life and as she relearned to talk, eat, and walk. As Katherine returned home with a severely disabled body but a completely renewed purpose, she and Jay committed to celebrating this gift of a second chance by embracing life fully, even though that life looked very different than they could have ever imagined. As you uncover Katherine and Jay's remarkable story, you'll be encouraged to: Find lasting hope in the midst of struggle Embrace the unexpected Welcome God's miracles into your everyday life In the midst of continuing hardships, both in body and mind, Katherine and Jay found what we all long to find: a hope that heals the most broken place--our souls. Let Hope Heals be your guide along the way. Praise for Hope Heals: "As I read this book, tears streamed from my eyes even as joy flooded my heart. Jay and Katherine are a raw yet refreshing testimony to the unshakable trustworthiness of God amidst the unimaginable trials of life. This book reminds all of us where hope can be found in a world where none of us know what the next day holds." --David Platt, author of the New York Times bestseller Radical and president of the International Mission Board "Hope Heals is a beautiful, true story that illustrates the love and protection God has for us even in the darkest times of our lives. Katherine and Jay's dedication to each other and the Lord through their most devastating season is inspiring. This book will help your heart believe that He sees, He knows, He cares, and He is still working miracles today!" --Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries