James Gardner

James was only five years old and travelling home to Devon after holiday with his family in Scotland in 1986, when tragedy struck. The car was involved in a serious accident just outside Bristol, leaving him fighting for survival on life support. When he emerged from his coma, doctors discovered that he was seriously brain damaged, leaving the left side paralysed. Within the blink of an eye James had been transformed from a gregarious, fun-loving little boy into a rag doll. But with a lot of loving support, he began the long and difficult road to recovery. His attitude was inspirational, and for years he threw himself into rehabilitation. As James grew up he began to feel misunderstood and not able to reach the level of normality he so yearned for. He felt that there was no longer any point to his life. When James asked his doctor for help, the reality of his situation suddenly struck. Suicide would be the ultimate failure. This is the story of James' life and how he fought tooth and nail to stay alive. It is both his autobiography and a guide to personal development. Since making the conscious decision not to give up hope, James has gone on to travel the world and teach English abroad. James is open and honest about the things in which he has found great solace during his darkest hours, and he credits the teachings of Kabbalah, an increasingly popular form of Jewish mysticism, for helping him refocus his life. The singer Madonna, a long term exponent of the spiritual teaching, has been an inspirational figure for James. James is now a picture of good health; despite continued weakness in his left side and a limp, he walks confidently and with a purpose.

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