Butterfly Be Free: Living with a Disability and the Will to Survive

By Di Friedli

How quickly life changes. Miggi learned that lesson at just eleven years old when she was taken from her loving family and animals at the dairy farm to what became her living nightmare at the Home for the Crippled and Poor just over the Indiana border into Illinois. The locals called it the Crip. Over the years, the walls Miggi so despised became more familiar as she grew dependent upon them and the people within. Despite her loneliness and deep longing to be reunited with the only family she'd had ever known and loved, she formed a new one with Lydia, Old Man Skully, Teressa and several others at the Crip. Ironically, Miggi was never treated as if she had a disability until she was labeled as such, and incorrectly at that, causing problems, mistreatment and mistrust throughout her lifetime. While at the Crip, Miggi witnessed unspeakable abuse and neglect of the residents to where she lost the simplest and freest of things - hope. It wasn't until she saw the amazing and inspiring flight of the butterflies after they were set free when she gained a renewed hope in her own freedom. It's an eye opening and, at times, painful account of what it's like to be disabled and institutionalized. We all have gifts to share with another if only we take the time to broaden our minds and hearts. As Miggi said, "It is not a 'them versus us' scenario. We are all one. We all have abilities, and we all have disabilities." This is a book you'll want to read in one sitting, but will remember for a lifetime.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0615583229
• ISBN13: 9780615583228
• Release Date: January 2012
• Publisher: Friedli
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"