Since 1952, when she contracted polio at age thirteen, Jan Little has been confined to a wheelchair. For over four decades, she has watched the labels attached to her change from cripple to handicapped to physically challenged. She has not only seen the fall of many barriers which previously blocked people with disabilities from living a full life--she has had a major hand in pulling them down. At the moment, she says, she is "holding the hands of inventors of great new products that can make life easier for people with disabilities." There is very little sweetness, pathos or false sentiment in Jan Little's story. There is a lot of vinegar, a full measure of comedy and irony, and finally, an honesty inspiring message about guts and conquering adversity.

262 pages. 1996