In a world of multitude cultures, beliefs, and ethnicities, we sometimes ask what constitutes normal. A few brave souls have defied popular norms and proven that “normal” is more often than not a misleading label. That they have done so without appearing overbearing is even more admirable.
Xlibris author Monica Sucha Vickers never thought she deserved any kind of special treatment just because she was born with three missing limbs. She heeded her father’s advice and took it to heart: Try it first and if you can’t do it, then ask for help. She then grew up thinking she’s just like everybody else.
She made her first forays into writing through her autobiography, My Extraordinary Life. Her work has indeed made life more extraordinary as she was recently named one of the honorable mentions in the 21st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards, Life Stories category. Aside from this literary achievement, Monica is also a recipient of the following awards in the Spiritual/Inspirational category:
Winner
Reader’s Favorite
2015 Next Generation Indie
Finalist
2016 Beverly Hills Book Awards
2015 National Indie Excellence
2015 North Street Book Prize
Notable 100
Shelf Unbound 2015, Dec/Jan issue, pg 101
2nd Place
Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
Runner-Up
Great Northwest Book Festival
Great Midwest Book Festival
Honorable Mention
Writer’s Digest
Beach Book Festival
London Book Festival
New England Book Festival
New York Book Festival
Los Angeles Book Festival
San Francisco Book Festival
Paris Book Festival
Great Southwest Book Festival
Great Southeast Book Festival
Southern California Book Festival
Hollywood Book Festival
Florida Book Festival
Amsterdam Book Festival
Monica talks about her extraordinary life
I was born in 1954 in Nebraska – in a time and place where mentally and physically disabled people were often placed in a “home,” a facility created for such a purpose. The severity of the disability also played in the decision. Apparently, it was felt that these facilities could/would provide the specialized care and equipment that would be needed – care and equipment not readily known or easily provided by the average parent.
My physical disability was quite obvious at birth. I had no legs and only one arm. The doctors didn’t even think I would live (interesting that a missing limb or limbs were a threat to life). Looking for answers, my parents were advised by the doctors that placement in such a “home” was their recommendation, and so my father embarked on a journey to find one that would best serve my needs.
The search took him as far away as Boston and many places in between. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like had I been placed in one of these homes. Would have I ever known my parents and eventual 6 siblings? Would have I graduated from college? Would have I been employed? Would have I learned to be independent? Fortunately, my parents took me home, opting to learn on the fly how to raise a disabled child.
Monica talks more about her extraordinary life on the second part of her blog.
Visit the Xlibris Blog and the Xlibris Indie Authors Roundup to get to know more brave self-pubbed writers. Plus, hone your writing, editing, and book marketing skills with free self-publishing tips from the Xlibris Writer’s Workshop.