Catastrophes can occur with unexpected swiftness and in an instant change our lives forever. Illnesses and other misfortunes may develop slowly over time and they too may change our lives forever. But the story does not have to end there. With the help of some very special people - occupational therapists - there is hope, and miracles do happen. If you do not know what occupational therapy is or what an occupational therapist does, don't worry! Read on and find out how people have learned to cope with their troubles and have become stronger by the very act of overcoming obstacles and surviving catastrophes. These are their stories - written by the people who lived them, their families, or those who helped them save the day. Ordinary Miracles: True Stories About Overcoming Obstacles & Surviving Catastrophes is an inspirational book containing over 95 true stories about everyday miracles that ordinary people worked hard to create for themselves -people like you or me, a spouse, child, parent, or friend. Some of the people were born with disabling conditions, others suffered illness, some were injured, and some experienced the ordinary conditions of old age. All of them required help to learn or relearn the skills they needed for the job of living, and with the aid of an occupational therapist, they all found the strength and courage to do so. Each of these stories illustrates the way someone was helped to overcome and defy the odds and shows how people have redesigned their lives to be meaningful and fulfilling following what could have been a life-shattering event. Their stories are tributes to the ability of people to triumph over adversity and to succeed when life is at its hardest. You will be amazed at their courage, energized by their achievements, and awed at the miracles they managed to accomplish. Some of these stories will bring a tear, some a smile, but all will inspire you with the knowledge and confidence that Ordinary Miracles do happen.

Table of Contents:
Contents  Part One: The Journey Through Life Section I: Infants and Toddlers: Getting Off to a Good Start Chapter 1: Fayda Sits in the Corner Patricia Petersen, MA, OTR Chapter 2: Sam Gets a Halo Cindy Wright, MA, OTR Chapter 3: Jack’s Hands Beth Cooper, OTR Chapter 4: Cecilia Gets Unglued Lisa E. Cyzner, PhD, OTR/L Chapter 5: I Can Do It Toby Black, MA, OTR/L Chapter 6: When He Smiles, the Room Lights Up Judi Hoggatt, MA, OTR Chapter 7: Just Say No Jane C. Chamberlain Olsasky, OTR/L Chapter 8: Jeff Wipes His "Ticky" Hands Jean M. Kassnel Submitted by Leslie Larsen Kountz, COTA Chapter 9: Close to My Heart Denise E. Williams, OTR/L, CHTP Chapter 10: A Healing Transformation Elizabeth A. Haluska Ankney, OTR/L, PC Chapter 11:Therapeutic Paws: A Tail of Success Rhona Feldt-Stein, BSc OT, OT Reg (Ont) Chapter 12: A Doll for Wendy Fred Sammons, PhD, OTR Section II: Children: Keeping on the Right Track Chapter 13: Meet Gabriella: An OT Success Story Barbara E. Joe Chapter 14: Jacob’s Declaration of Independence Donna Langmead, COTA Chapter 15: Four Steps to Freedom Leslie Rubman, MPH, OTR Chapter 16: John Goes on a Diet Margaret D. Rerek, MS, OTR/L (Retired) Chapter 17: Snazzy Gets Her Driver’s License Janet Christhilf O’Flynn, OTR/L, BCP Chapter 18: Silence Is Not Always Golden Elizabeth J. Healey, OTR Chapter 19: Working with What We Have Kathy Swoboda, COTA/L Chapter 20: Louie Talks with His Nose Amy B. Westerman, OTR/L Chapter 21: Let Your Switch Do the Walking Jan Johnson, OTR Chapter 22: A Penny Saves the Day Rhona Feldt-Stein, BSc OT, OT Reg (Ont) Section III Teens: Avoiding Hazards on the Path Chapter 23:Steven’s Box Ronda Christopher, OTR/L, MEd, LNHA and Rebecca Rogers, MEd, OTR/L Chapter 24: Struggling to Get By Joshua M. Eisenstein, MA, BS Chapter 25: Can You Stick Out Your Tongue? Anitta Boyko Fox, BS, MA, OTR Chapter 26: A Debt Repaid Laura Faye Clubok, OTR/L Chapter 27: Soon to Be a Butterfly Beth Larson, PhD, OTR Chapter 28: Jessica’s Dream Peggy Lee Gurock, OTR Chapter 29: Think Right Hand Irene Phillips, MPA, MA, OTR/L Chapter 30: Ten Finger Exercise Nina Paris, OT/L Chapter 31: A Letter to Remember Bethany S. Walls, MA and Rhona Gorsky Reiss, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Section IV: Adults: Navigating the Perils of Illness and Injury Chapter 32: An Apple a Day Ann Burkhardt, MA, OTR/L, BCN, FAOTA Chapter 33: What Are You Going to Do Next? Go to Disney World Michelle Anne Blackburn, OTR/L and Bobbie Andrews Chapter 34: Clumsy Bob Mary V. Donohue, PhD, OT, FAOTA Chapter 35: Find It at the Mall Paula D. Carey, MS, OTR/L Chapter 36: Let’s Do Lunch Susan Bachner, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA, CEAC Chapter 37: Life, Liberty, and Power Mobility Linda Lorentzen, OTR/L Chapter 38: A Well-Dressed Woman Valnere McLean, OTR Chapter 39: The Magical Mr. T Richard J. Russ, MA, OTR/L Chapter 40: Yes, There Are Angels Wayne Pusatero Submitted by Deborah Morawski, OTR/L Chapter 41: Traveling Light Richard J. Russ, MA, OTR/L Chapter 42: Do It My Way Anne Gaier, OTR/L, CHT Chapter 43: Reflections on Rehabilitation Peggy Prince Wittman, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA Chapter 44: The Closet: A "Clothes" Encounter Gwen Weinstock, MA, OTR/L Chapter 45: Close to the Edge Edith Newhall  Section V: Senior Citizens: Enjoying the Rewards of a Race Well Run Chapter 46 Potato Pancakes Vera Cohen, BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA Chapter 47 More Scared Than Mean Constance Martinez-de la Vega, OTR/L Chapter 48 You Could End Up Anywhere, Even Meeting a Woman Deborah Mandel, MA, OTR Chapter 49 For St. Patrick’s Day, Grow a Potato Mimi Wolak, MA, OTR Chapter 50 A Real New Yorker Donna Conley, OTR/L Chapter 51 Going AWOL—You Can Go Home Again Mimi Wolak, MA, OTR Chapter 52 Chicken and Black-Eyed Peas Vera Cohen,BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA Chapter 53 Operation Vaudeville Laurie E. Nelson, MA, OTR Chapter 54 A Man and His Dog: The Story of Barney and Bob Patricia H. Findlay, OT Part Two: Life’s Unpredictable Events Section VI Not Always a Safe Haven: Accidents at Home, Work, and Play Chapter 55 Doctor, Will I Be Able to Play the Piano? Denise McCormick Chapter 56 The Return of My Ring Finger Jill E. Van Dyke, OTR Chapter 57 Socks or No Socks? That Is the Question Margret I. Kingrey, MA, OTR Chapter 58 Believe in Me Jan Keith, COTA/L, AP Chapter 59 Grandmother Ora Goes Home Donna Holt, BS Chapter 60 Stand Up and Be Counted Vera Cohen, BS, OTR/L and Ellen L. Kolodner, MSS, OTR/L, FAOTA Chapter 61 The Power of Encouragement Barbara Schroeder, COTA Chapter 62 A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed Mary-Kay Webster, BS Chapter 63 Someday Soup Kimberly Eberhardt, MS, OTR/L Chapter 64 Commuter Nightmare Bhavisha H. Patel Section VII On the Road: Automobile Accidents Chapter 65 Twin Therapy Deborah Goldberg, MA, OTR/L Chapter 66 Hi Ho Beanie Elizabeth J. Healey, OTR Chapter 67 Best Seat in the House Cindy Martin, COTA/L Submitted by Valerie B. Whiting, OTR/L, LMT Chapter 68 My Ugly Duckling Michelle Ponsolle-Mays, MS, OTR/L Chapter 69 A Beautiful Flower Blossoms Slowly Julia Waggoner Santini, OTR/L Chapter 70 A Message from T.J. Stephan