I’ve always felt I was normal–until recently when two conditions came crashing in on me. The first was osteoarthritis–probably inherited, but nonetheless debilitating. I needed a hip replacement and both knees need replacing too. The second is congestive heart disease–discovered during the pre-op for my hip replacement. These two diseases threw me headlong into the realm of chronic illness and into the realm of being abnormal.
Chris Morris has written a wonderful book, Perfectly Abnormal: Uncovering the Image of God in Chronic Illness. Chris suffers from seizures and his daughter, Cynthia, has epilepsy and autism. His wife works in a pediatric oncology unit. Chris is clearly familiar with chronic illness and how too often we feel decidedly abnormal.
In the book, Chris discusses the issues that face those of us with special needs or chronic illnesses (SN/CI): why we feel less than enough, myths others tell us, myths we tell ourselves, and moving beyond myths into wholeness. I highly recommend anyone who has or knows anyone who has (SN/CI) to buy and read Perfectly Abnormal. (Click the name of the book to purchase.)
Chris tells us with blunt honesty what life is like for those of us who are “not normal.” He tells us the with great transparency how his heart has been broken at some of the attitudes, statements, and questions he’s received from those who don’t understand or don’t care to understand. He shares illustrations from his life and those of some SN/CI friends to show us what hurts can arise. But Chris also shows us the joy-the choice we have to be joyful and to find meaning in our lives as they are.
I found healing in this book. I acknowledged I do have a chronic illness. I have chemo-induced cardiomyopathy-congestive heart disease caused by the chemo I was given for breast cancer seventeen years ago. I can no longer do all the things I used to do because of this disease, but that doesn’t make me less of a person. Chris has shown me that I’m perfectly abnormal and God loves me just the way I am. Five stars, Chris, and a must read!
Chris Morris is a Certified Public Accountant who works with many authors and small businesses. “His writing is founded on the belief that circumstances don’t prevent thriving, but create opportunities for God to demonstrate his goodness.” Chris exemplifies that belief and gives that hope to others as well.
Chris Morris gifted me with a copy of Perfectly Abnormal, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.