This morning I received a review of Trapped by Sam Keane.
I’ll let Sam speak for himself.
‘My name is Sam I’m a young adult battling Cerebral Palsy.
For my final project for English class we had an assignment to write about a non-fiction book. I wanted to do my assignment based on something real, something I could directly relate to in a strong way.
I chose to write about life with Cerebral Palsy and some of the choices and consequences involved. The choices and consequences weren’t just about life Cerebral Palsy but that was the main focus.
I began to read Trapped: My Life with Cerebral Palsy by Fran Macilvey and as I’m reading it about 5, maybe 10 pages in, I felt a sense that this is what I wanted. I knew right away that Fran’s book was… the one. I’d already found a number of things that she’d described where I’m saying in my mind “been through that,” “felt that way” or “that’s me too.” Some of the similarities to what Fran described in the book and my own life were on the opening page, when she talks about falling and the “familiar, rough embrace scraping skin off my knuckles or palms, which are now embedded with gravel adding spots of blood to the muddy mess on my cuffs.” This was and is something I constantly went and go through since I could walk, a feat which I didn’t accomplish until the age of 5.
On page 85 Fran writes, “The world of physically active tends to be uncompromising.” Yup I agree completely. Time and time again when I’m being physically active whether in phys ed class at school, or with friends, I always feel like being active feels like a grind, trying to keep up with them. It’s not easy, even though the people I’m with, classmates and/or friends are unfailingly compromising to the fact that I have a disability. Always my friends, classmates, make the games and sports we play accessible and fun for me as much as they can. Even with that being said I still need to put in twice, three, even four times the amount of energy they do, no matter how hard they try to make it better for me. That’s just the way it goes and I’m 100% ok with that because I love sports and the challenge it brings to play.
Page 87 “Am I going to ‘get better?’ No I’m not. My condition is inoperable, permanent, and I am not ‘broken’ in such a way that a tube of glue or a pile of nails will fix anything.” That is something I sometimes feel when asked if I will ever “get better.” It was an absolutely amazing book with lots of relatable feelings, events and experiences that not just me but others with Cerebral Palsy can directly relate to.
I want to personally thank Fran Macilvey for writing this book and for sharing what her life was like with Cerebral Palsy and not just that, but her life in general. Fran, thank you, your book has given me something I can relate directly to in a strong way. Very inspirational read as well.’
Thank you so much, Sam, for sharing your thoughts here. I’m glad when what I write can show we are all working together to make life better, step by step.
Please share:
June 20, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
What a wonderful review! Thanks for posting it, Fran. Loved it–and loved seeing Sam’s smiling face.
June 20, 2017 @ 3:32 pm
Thanks, Elouise, Sam writes well, doesn’t he – I’m so glad to have connected with him. 🙂
August 2, 2017 @ 5:26 pm
Well I’ll be darned! The moment I saw Sam’s picture I knew I’d already read it. What a great guy he is. And what a great mentor you’re turning out to be for young people!
Elouise
April 14, 2025 @ 4:54 pm
Thank you for your kind words Elouise, I had been thinking about when I wrote this lately and thought I would return and read it! When I wrote this, I was about 17 or 18 years old in high school in Ontario Canada! Fast forward to today and I am now a 26 year old young man. A college graduate with a very rewarding job, navigating adulthood as I try and build myself a quality life and just be the best person I can be! I have lots of amazing friends who treat me so well and are so accepting and helpful through my challenges with cerebral palsy! Still some days are easier than others but I keep going every day! It was an honour to have written this review and share my story where it was at that time! So many amazing things have happened since then!
Sam
April 14, 2025 @ 9:28 pm
Hi Sam! It’s so great to see you here again!! I’m very glad to have your lovely comments and an update on how you are doing now, eight years later! Well done 😀
A positive attitude is so important – totally! – even through difficult days. I really wish you all the best, always. Your friend, Fran
April 15, 2025 @ 1:46 pm
How wonderful. I am always glad that I read this book but to know that it is proving inspirational to young people is a lovely thing.
April 16, 2025 @ 1:47 pm
Thank you so much Diane. It’s always wonderful when readers love our books, isn’t it! 😀 😀