Rolling Uphill: A Life of Hope and Determination - Softcover

Rowe, Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0615727832 ISBN 13: 9780615727837

Publisher: Footwork Books, 2012

Synopsis

Joseph Rowe was a normal cap gun toting five year old when he became ill with polio. The disease left him unable to breathe or move his arms. He has spent his life in wheelchairs equipped with portable ventilators by day and sleeping in an “iron lung” at night.

Yet, he used his feet to -

• write and type his way through school as an exceptional student, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees with straight “A’s.”
• paint landscapes and portraits in oil and acrylic.
• excel in a twenty nine career with a major information technology company as a programmer, senior systems architect and software manager.
• lead disability rights organizations at his college and the city of Dallas.
• drive specially equipped vans
• serve his church as a Sunday school teacher, assisting minister and congregation president.
• build rockets, robots and dollhouses.
• cook gourmet meals.
• survive many close calls with death due to illnesses and accident.
• serve as a leader in the 2008 Obama campaign.

Joseph achieved all these things while surviving countless close calls with death due to illnesses, accidents and equipment failures.

Rolling Uphill chronicles his journey and the people who gave him a push along the way. Join him as he faces struggles and triumphs with courage, determination, faith, hope and humor.

Many have found his story uplifting. Perhaps it will inspire you to face the challenges in your life.

"It is not very often I get to polish something this good."

John Dycus - Edito

About this title

From the Author:

I originally wrote this memoir at the insistence of friends and family. Many strangers have come up to me and told me that I inspire them. So, I've decided to share my story with the world. Rolling Uphill is the result. If it encourages even one person to face the obstacles in their path with hope and determination, it will have been worth all the effort required to bring this book to publication.

Writing this book forced me to reflect on all the people who helped me on my life's journey. They loved me, taught me, encouraged and cajoled me along my path. Often, they physically gave me a push. Remembering them, particularly my mother, has made this an incredibly rewarding experience.

By all human logic, I am not supposed to be here. Not according to the doctors. Not according to the statistics. I was supposed to die when I was five from polio. I have been close to death more times than I can count. Someone was always there to save me. Yet, here I am, sixty five years old and still ticking. Almost all the other respiratory polio survivors I knew as a child are long gone. I can't help but ask the question.  Why?

I believe God must have some reason for keeping me here. I'm just not sure what it is. Perhaps "Rolling Uphill" is part of the answer. At times, my life has seemed an uphill battle, hence the title. My parents, particularly my mother, made everything I've done possible. Many others were there along the way to help as well. To all who have helped, thanks for the push.

I'm sitting here at my computer contemplating the future with hope. I'm not hopeful because I don't believe there will be more hills to climb. It's because my experience tells me that God always provides a way to deal with life's challenges. Every time I've faced crises of any nature, there have been people who were there to help me through them. I'm grateful for this opportunity to recognize and thank them.

About the Author:

Joseph was an exceptional student, earning BBA and MBA degrees with straight "A's." He then embarked on a twenty nine year career in information technology as a programmer, systems architect and software manager.

He founded the grassroots group that supported Barack Obama's 2008 campaign in Dallas and was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

In his spare time, he led disability rights groups, volunteered at his church and pursued his hobbies of building model rockets, robots and dollhouses using his toes. He drove specially equipped vans with his feet and likes to cook French food.

Joseph has survived numerous close calls with death due to illnesses and accidents which disabled his ventilator, leaving him unable to breathe. He credits his family, friends and total strangers with helping him hurdle the numerous obstacles he has faced. His mother, in particular, played an enormous role in enabling him to achieve his many accomplishments.

After retiring from his IT career, Joseph began has studying writing. His first short story was published in early 2012. His memoir, "Rolling Uphill," is his first book. He is currently writing a thriller about some modern day "Robin Hoods" from the Occupy Wall Street movement who plan to electronically transfer trillions from the rich to the poor. "$HIFT" is scheduled for publication in June, 2013.

Joseph Rowe lives with his caregiver and her children in Dallas. He enjoys French and Mexican food, jazz and classical music.

About this edition

• Publisher: Footwork Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0615727832
• ISBN 13: 9780615727837
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 324