As I Am, a True Story of Adaptation to Physical Disability

By Garret Lee Frey and Karen Hutchins Pirnot

Book Overview

In a single moment in time, four year old Garret Frey was transformed from an active and energetic four-year-old to a quadriplegic, ventilator-dependent boy who struggled to make sense of a world in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0982254067
• ISBN13: 9780982254066
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Peppertree Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An Uplifting Story of a Quadriplegic? How Can That Be?

I ordered As I Am nearly a year ago simply because I had read about this young man and wanted to support his efforts. Yet I hesitated to begin the read as I feared the pain I would suffer. What a loss that would have been! I actually felt uplifted by this book - a book detailing the challenges faced by a four year old boy who, in a brief moment in time, is transformed from an active, alert child to a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. How is this possible? Perhaps it is because Garrett Lee Frey's social, emotional and intellectual accomplishments are so impressive that for me they became the very focus of my reading. Garrett clearly has been gifted with intellect and drive needed to build a fulfilling life for himself. So in part this book is a tribute to a young man who has chosen to focus on the "haves" rather than the "have-nots" in his life. But this is hardly a go-it-alone story. Two others helped shape his values and facilitate his development: 1) A mother who provided unconditional love, energy and determination, while relentlessly pursuing a least restrictive environment educational setting for her son - all the way to the Supreme Court 2) A brilliant psychologist with deep knowledge and understanding of child developmental stages, who had the flexibility and creativity to improvise, providing Garrett with adaptive experiences to ensure his social, emotional and intellectual growth. As I completed its final chapter, I was filled with admiration for this team of three! Above all else, I felt uplifted. If Garrett can do it, there is no excuse for the rest of us. Don't hesitate for a moment. Run out and get this book. Then use it as a model for building a successful life. Lois W. Stern Author/Journalist Retired Special Education teacher

Garret Lee Frey is an inspiration to all

Garret was only five years old when his way of life was completely altered. A freak accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. While he lost all use of his limbs and could not breathe on his own, his mind was unaffected. Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot, Pediatric Clinical Psychologist was asked to treat Garret's depression. They quickly became close friends. Pirnot taught Garret relaxation methods that assisted him in staying calm. In As I Am, Garret shares his story. He begins with the accident, takes us through his years in school and into his life as a young adult. Garret is a personable young man. He has tenacity. Garret Lee Frey is an inspiration to all people. I admire his attitude. As I Am is an incredible read. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. He writes in an easy to read, conversational style. Garret doesn't waste his time complaining. As I Am, A True Story of Adaptation to Physical Disability by Garret Lee Frey and Dr. Karen Huchins Pirnot is a must read book!

A Few Times in a Lifetime

A few times in a lifetime, we come upon a person or a story that impacts us so deeply our entire field of awareness is altered. It may open our eyes to a whole new world we'd never considered before, compel us to study a new philosophy, or possibly give us a new hero to place above all previous heroes. A time such as this came to me when Garret Lee Frey entered my life in a most unexpected way. I met him between the covers of As I Am, a most touching book and his first effort at sharing his story and his incredible life. At the time I met Garret, he was a "nearly five year old boy." A child filled with wonderment, Garret reveled in all his god-given senses and was driven to explore the "the world around him." He loved the April breeze on his cheeks, the nature presented to him by the row of evergreens that filled his back yard with the sweet aroma of pine. Garret had no premonition of the approaching moment in time in which life, as he knew and understood it, would come to an end . . . "I do not remember the day I was born and I do not remember the day that I died. I only remember my life `As I Am.'" It was April 24, 1987. Garret jumped for joy into his father's arms when he showed up at the babysitter's home to pick him up. In the driveway, sat his father's shiny motorcycle. His dad had previously taken him and his older brother for short rides in the neighborhood, always paying careful heed to the helmet laws and rules for cycle safety, but this would be the longest ride Garret had ever taken before. A full mile from the babysitter's home to his own with a promised stop for bubble gum on the way. Seated safely, helmet in place, Garret was ready for the ride of his life. But, the mysteries of fate were at hand. Garret had forgotten his trusty yellow scarf, his favorite security blanket, that special thing in the life of a four year old. Understanding, his father went back to retrieve the scarf and tied it securely around Garret's neck, tucking the tied ends inside his jacket. An extra measure of warmth on a breezy April day. Soon, Garret was reveling in the wind on his face, planning his out-of-doors play on the arrival home, and anticipating the sweet, spicy taste of his favorite bubble gum. As his curious mind was taken in by the joys of life around him, he vowed to live each day to its fullest. Then, fate entered in. Garret was about to experience a course change he could never have imagined. In that miniscule flash of time, the beginnings of Garret's story were written. The destiny of his life's journey would also become the journey of those closest to him, dedicated parents, family, and one most special friend. Over the years, many other lives walked parts of this journey with Garret. Precedents were set, and barriers broken down that will affect generations to come, especially in education. Now, through a magnificent effort on the part of Garret and that one special friend, Dr. Karen Pirnot, we all have been invited to walk a while by hi

Garret: Hero of His Own Movie

I once saw a movie in which the main character awakened every morning to find an identical day which was replayed over and over again. Four- year- old Garret also awakened each morning to a day which would be replayed over and over again, but each day would be his worst nightmare. Every day he would discover anew that his paralyzed body was ventilator- dependent and that he would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. In Garret's movie he felt the love and security of his exceptionally strong and brave mother who worked to support their ever increasing expenses while providing constant encouragement for her son. But, the dilemma of how to live a life in such a situation seemed to be an unsolvable, draining and frustrating experience until Dr. Pirnot was introduced to the child. This experienced and caring Clinical Psychologist developed a system for the boy so he could learn to utilize any available resources at his disposal to live day to day in his situation. With this new-found knowledge, plus his amazing strength and strong intellect the boy was able to slowly adapt to his situation and attend a public school where he could interact with other children his age. While his mother worked hard to support him financially and emotionally, she also she fought for Garret's right to have some of the expenses of his special needs provided by the school. This resulted in a journey through the legal system which went all the way to the Supreme Court. The case was eventually won by the family. In a society where it is increasingly popular to declare oneself a victim it is amazing to find a young ventilator-dependent quadriplegic who has instead chosen to be the hero of his own movie.

Inspiring!!

I just recently finished reading this book and it is truly an inspiring story of a boy dealing with his disability and the challenges that he faces everyday. He and his mother alone are the reason that kids with disabilities receive the same level of education and did this by fighting the school district, taking the case to the supreme court! I can't believe how much he has achieved being a quadriplegic! Great must read!!!!