Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fancy Feet


"In 1998 I was an active young woman looking forward to all the possibilities life had to offer. That all changed when my car was struck by a reckless driver going more than 60 mph. The car crash resulted in a battle for my life that would involve two weeks in a coma, seven months in the BCPFF Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at Vancouver General Hospital, losing my best friend, and both my legs..."

This is how the story of Heidi Cave, author of Fancy Feet, begins. 

We spend so much time on the internet, that we skim past people's words, looking for that one word or phrase that jumps out and sums it all up for us. Heidi's work makes us stop, and read every single word of this incredible time in her life: Struck by a car going 60 miles per hour. Two weeks in a coma. Seven months in a burn unit. Losing her best friend. Losing her legs. Think on every one of those phrases. Now, imagine yourself surviving that, at 23 years old.

Her story tells us just that, how a young girl finds the strength within her, to see this through. I received Heidi's book in the afternoon mail, and I began reading it the moment I held it in my hands. I read it an hour before I had to pick up my children from school, then I kept reading it in the school pickup line. I came home and quickly started dinner, and kept reading while the potatoes boiled. I then read it while waiting for my youngest during soccer practice, and then again once home. Finally, later in bed, I fought sleep to finish it that day.

As I closed the cover on Heidi's book, I wiped tears away with both hands for the beauty of the human spirit: for fighting for yourself, for forgiveness of others, for tirelessly campaigning to embrace what's been given to us, with nothing stopping us. This book is a work of soulful art, and I will be reading it again and gifting it on to friends, to share the hope in Heidi's story.

Heidi Cave is a treasure to anyone who knows her. It's difficult for me to even talk about her work here without a catch in my throat. Read her words, and feel the power of the worth that we can give to ourselves. Astonishingly true in heart, spirit, and ferocious in its ability to capture what she endured -- so we know the strength we have inside. Even when faced with what seems the most impossible: forgiveness.

Fancy Feet is available through Amazon

But I am also giving away a copy here, because I believe the power of Heidi's story will help someone else to find that source of strength we all have inside -- even when we feel we don't.

We are amazing.

Please leave a comment here to enter.


"What should have been the darkest chapter of her life became a bright testament to the strength of the human spirit."
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16 comments:

  1. Thank you for this, my sweet friend. I know honored gets thrown around a lot, but I am honored by you and your words and your heart...such a good, kind heart. I love you to bits.
    And I can't forget to thank the internet. Thank ye internet for bringing us together!

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  2. What a wonderful review of a bound to be wonderful book! Can't wait to read it.

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  3. put me in...great review...and i am def a believer in the power of story.....smiles....

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  4. What a wonderful and heartfelt review, Alexandra. My experience doesn't compare at all, but since I broke my leg in my fluke accident last year I began to take pause when it comes to things like this. It was a difficult half year, and all I could think was how lucky I was it wasn't worse - I hadn't been hit by a car, I hadn't gotten hurt in more places. I wonder all the time how people like Heidi do find the strength to move on. It is hopeful to think that we all have that strength in us.

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  5. I remember wandering over to Heidi's blog before at your suggestion and was truly amazed and overcome. Would love to read the book!

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  6. Wow, I can't wait to read this book and I will be heading over to Heidi's blog right after here since I have not had the pleasure of finding it before. Thank you for the introduction!

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  7. Sounds inspiring! Thanks for the review, Empress. Sending a hug for the day: ( ).

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  8. This book has been on my list. I would love a copy. Her story speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.

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  9. Heidi and Alexandra. A double-dose of inspiration, strength, spirit.
    I'm so grateful to know you both.

    p.s. I own the book, so my comment is merely to express deep admiration!

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  10. I just had the pleasure of "meeting" Heidi via Twitter and this book is at the tippy top of my MUST READ list. Would love to get a copy (and if I don't get it here, I will buy one!). Thanks so much to Heidi for sharing her remarkable story.

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  11. This is the first I've heard of this book. I love to read and will be adding it to my Must Read list.

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  12. Good luck to everyone! I can barely believe this is a true account, much less than Heidi has grown to be one of my dearest friends. It is an astonishing story.

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  13. I am compelled by the fact that you went out of your way to finish it in a day. Very few books have that kind of power. Must be an amazing story.

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  14. It is a beautiful book with a beautiful story despite the tragedy. You summed up Heidi's spirit perfectly. xo

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  15. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here for all of the kind and thoughtful words. They are...you are so appreciated! It means a lot to me.

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