Items related to Swimming With Maya: A Mother's Story (Capital Discovery)
Eleanor Vincent raised her two daughters, Maya and Meghan, virtually as a single-parent while fighting her way toward a writing career. Maya, the eldest, was a high-spirited and gifted young woman. As a toddler Maya was an angelic tow-head, full of life and curiosity. Eleanor tells the story of how Maya went careening down a hill on her tricycle only to tumble onto the ground, then spring back up and do it again. As a teenager, Maya was energetic and possessed a strong streak of independence. She butted heads with her mother as she strove to find her path in life. But one thing was always clear, the close and connected relationship between Eleanor and Maya. They were like best friends or sisters, but always also mother and daughter.
At age 19, Maya mounted a horse bareback as a dare and in a crushing cantilever fall, was left in a coma from which she would never recover. Eleanor’s life was turned upside down as she struggled to make the painful decision about Maya’s fate. Ultimately she chose to donate Maya’s organs. Maya’s heart was given to a man with a young family who needed a new heart to live. As time went by, Eleanor contacted and struck up a friendship with the heart recipient and his family.
A story about the unique and complicated relationship between mothers and daughters, Swimming with Maya celebrates how that relationship continues to exist beyond the grave. In vivid language, Eleanor Vincent illuminates the kind of courage, creativity, faith, and sheer tenacity it takes to find one’s balance after such an overwhelming blow.
At age 19, Maya mounted a horse bareback as a dare and in a crushing cantilever fall, was left in a coma from which she would never recover. Eleanor’s life was turned upside down as she struggled to make the painful decision about Maya’s fate. Ultimately she chose to donate Maya’s organs. Maya’s heart was given to a man with a young family who needed a new heart to live. As time went by, Eleanor contacted and struck up a friendship with the heart recipient and his family.
A story about the unique and complicated relationship between mothers and daughters, Swimming with Maya celebrates how that relationship continues to exist beyond the grave. In vivid language, Eleanor Vincent illuminates the kind of courage, creativity, faith, and sheer tenacity it takes to find one’s balance after such an overwhelming blow.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Author:
"Maya's chest rises and falls. The ventilator hisses, the computers beep, fiber optic cable snakes into her skull. I never knew love could be so big, that it could expand to allow even this. I have a premonition of lifelong grief rolling toward me, but I know that, once again, I am being asked to give my daughter her freedom." - Swimming with Maya, Chapter 3
That was the moment I realized I had no right, nor any power, to hold my daughter here. I had to let her go. I gave in to her coma and ultimate death because they were hers not mine, a destiny I could never have imagined. That moment of surrender marked me for life.
Within hours, I was told that Maya was brain dead. I was asked to donate her organs and tissues to save strangers' lives, restore their sight, or improve their mobility. I said yes. Two years later I met the man who received my daughter's heart, his wife, and two children. As I listened to Maya's heartbeat in Fernando's chest, I experienced the powerful miracle of transplantation.
I believe we read to experience life vividly. Good writing puts us inside the mind and heart of the writer, creating a world we can inhabit, a safe space to vicariously experience another's life.
Swimming with Maya is vital testimony about how losses can be healed. It shows how even the most unthinkable loss contains the seeds of healing. If we choose life over death, if we reach out to others, and if we learn not to take disaster personally, we can earn how to go on, carrying our dear ones with us, to a place of wholeness.
- Eleanor Vincent
From the Back Cover:
That was the moment I realized I had no right, nor any power, to hold my daughter here. I had to let her go. I gave in to her coma and ultimate death because they were hers not mine, a destiny I could never have imagined. That moment of surrender marked me for life.
Within hours, I was told that Maya was brain dead. I was asked to donate her organs and tissues to save strangers' lives, restore their sight, or improve their mobility. I said yes. Two years later I met the man who received my daughter's heart, his wife, and two children. As I listened to Maya's heartbeat in Fernando's chest, I experienced the powerful miracle of transplantation.
I believe we read to experience life vividly. Good writing puts us inside the mind and heart of the writer, creating a world we can inhabit, a safe space to vicariously experience another's life.
Swimming with Maya is vital testimony about how losses can be healed. It shows how even the most unthinkable loss contains the seeds of healing. If we choose life over death, if we reach out to others, and if we learn not to take disaster personally, we can earn how to go on, carrying our dear ones with us, to a place of wholeness.
- Eleanor Vincent
Selected Reader Reviews from Amazon:
"An incredibly powerful book...about the pain of losing a child and what it means to be human." Nicholas, June 9, 2013
"I was so deeply drawn into this book ... I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't stop crying, I couldn't stop aching for this entire family. This book helped me realize the futility of allowing anger to roam free. Eleanor Vincent is a very wise woman ... trust in her strength ... swim along with her and Maya." Richard, Aug 11, 2013
"Excellent book full of sincere writing. The honesty and recollection of events and feelings is truly amazing. One of the best self-help books I have ever read." Nancy, Aug 7, 2013
"I thought this book might be depressing but instead it was uplifting. Very enjoyable and fast reading. Beyond the pain is joy and that is the message this book brings so well. Highly recommended." Maxie's Mom, Aug 6, 2013
"I am the daughter of a woman who received a life-saving liver transplant. Without that donor and their family, my mother wouldn't be here right now. A brave, courageous book and it deserves the full five-star rating." San Diego surfer, July 28, 2013
"Moving and important. This book is an important tribute to love, and also that of honouring life. Eleanor Vincent manages to turn a horrific loss into a celebration of life. This book is an important read for many reasons." McGuffy Ann, June 26, 2013
"I could only put this book down to wipe the tears away so I could continue reading. Thank you Eleanor for sharing your story of Maya and your family with us." Ttich2, June 2, 2013
"Honest and thought-provoking. This book is excellent for anyone who feels uncomfortable offering condolences to someone who has experienced a loss. I learned so much about the grieving process." Ma'al, May 4, 2013
"Vincent takes every parent's worst nightmare and turns it into a message of hope and healing after a tragic loss. A beautiful love story." Kathleen Pooler, May 27, 2013
"An incredibly powerful book...about the pain of losing a child and what it means to be human." Nicholas, June 9, 2013
"I was so deeply drawn into this book ... I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't stop crying, I couldn't stop aching for this entire family. This book helped me realize the futility of allowing anger to roam free. Eleanor Vincent is a very wise woman ... trust in her strength ... swim along with her and Maya." Richard, Aug 11, 2013
"Excellent book full of sincere writing. The honesty and recollection of events and feelings is truly amazing. One of the best self-help books I have ever read." Nancy, Aug 7, 2013
"I thought this book might be depressing but instead it was uplifting. Very enjoyable and fast reading. Beyond the pain is joy and that is the message this book brings so well. Highly recommended." Maxie's Mom, Aug 6, 2013
"I am the daughter of a woman who received a life-saving liver transplant. Without that donor and their family, my mother wouldn't be here right now. A brave, courageous book and it deserves the full five-star rating." San Diego surfer, July 28, 2013
"Moving and important. This book is an important tribute to love, and also that of honouring life. Eleanor Vincent manages to turn a horrific loss into a celebration of life. This book is an important read for many reasons." McGuffy Ann, June 26, 2013
"I could only put this book down to wipe the tears away so I could continue reading. Thank you Eleanor for sharing your story of Maya and your family with us." Ttich2, June 2, 2013
"Honest and thought-provoking. This book is excellent for anyone who feels uncomfortable offering condolences to someone who has experienced a loss. I learned so much about the grieving process." Ma'al, May 4, 2013
"Vincent takes every parent's worst nightmare and turns it into a message of hope and healing after a tragic loss. A beautiful love story." Kathleen Pooler, May 27, 2013
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCapital Books (VA)
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 1931868344
- ISBN 13 9781931868341
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages320
- Rating
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Swimming With Maya: A Mother's Story (Capital Discovery)
Published by
Capital Books (VA)
(2004)
ISBN 10: 1931868344
ISBN 13: 9781931868341
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Paperback
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