Thorny Life
I am a disabled Asian woman living in England. There are still a lot of prejudices towards disabled people especially among the Asian community to this very day. They think disability is a disease which they can catch. Asian people look at you, think you have no brains and feel pity for you. They also feel sorry for you. But, I am human like anybody else.
This is my story.
Review
Pacific Book Review
Gurinder Abrol was a beautiful, healthy baby girl for only a few, short months. As an infant, she suffered from a severe allergic reaction and was consequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy. As an Asian woman living with a disability, she constantly contends with subliminal prejudice from her community. Yet her “Thorny Life,” which this author names her memoir, has not all been struggle and strife. Gurinder’s story is proof that, as she states it, “Disability does not preclude a life well lived.”
At the tender age of fifteen months, Gurinder Abrol receives a bug bite on the site of a recent smallpox vaccine. Her ensuing allergic reaction is so severe, she develops cerebral palsy. Before she is two years of age, this little girl is struck a devastating blow. Yet, thorns may grow alongside flowers and blooming is exactly what this author has done with her thorny life. Gurinder writes about her father’s internal conflict being an immigrant in a foreign country and how his relationship with her suffers. Rather than holding onto her grief, Gurinder’s generous spirit forgives and attempts to understand her father. When Gurinder’s husband abandons her and their young son, Gurinder goes to college and begins a new career and new life. To begin a new career in middle age takes bravery under the most stable circumstances. To begin a new career after your life has been pulled out from under your feet takes, in the words of Gurinder, “indomitable spirit.”
Then, as life sometimes does, just as Gurinder carves a space for herself as a single mom and career woman, tragedy strikes her again. She is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just after her fiftieth birthday. Genuine frustration ensues as Gurinder seeks treatment within a medical system which attempts and fails to treat her disease many times and succeeds far too infrequently. For anyone suffering from chronic illness, Gurinder’s story is a familiar one. Life is sometimes unkind to the kindest people among us.
Thorny Life (2nd Edition) is a story of immense courage and perseverance, and an inspiration to anyone who has been struck down by an unfair world. Because of her disability she has achieved a great deal in her life. The author’s novel is a quick and easy read. Her story is outstanding in its success because of its tragedy. Gurinder reminds us that positive change requires only perseverance and time. Readers in search of a shot of courage will find it within the pages of Thorny Life.
OnlineBookClub.org- Forums
A Distinguished Ghanaian Ahuma Bosco Ocansey by Gurinder Abrol is a biography of a successful, hardworking, and dedicated man. He is a man with a great personality who wants to help others improve and succeed. Many are drawn to him because of his good personality and as such, he has earned the respect of others. Who is this man? His name is Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, popularly known as Daddy Bosco. Bosco was born on January 1963 to a Ghanaian Roman Catholic family in Accra, West Africa. Bosco had fun as a child and enjoyed memorable moments. He also enjoyed the tender affection and loving discipline of his parents. Despite his busy schedule and responsibilities, Bosco’s father spent quality time with his only son. He also helped his son to develop a love for knowledge. This helped Bosco in later years. He was always open to learning and trying his hand at new things as he moved from one radio station to another. I loved how the author arranged this book. He mentioned what Bosco did in the past, what he is doing now, and what he plans to do in the future. Instead of arranging the book chronologically, the author arranged the narrative based on Bosco’s varied interests. This made the book quite interesting. I also love how the author concluded each chapter and prepares readers for what will be discussed in the next chapter. For instance, the author ended chapter 2 by explaining why Bosco decided to leave the SOZ Squad Band in 1999 to work with a radio station. Then the next chapter relates Bosco’s experiences while working with different radio stations in Ghana. What I love most about this book is that it contains numerous moral lessons. One of these is that when a man is skillful at what he does, he will stand before nobles. Bosco’s industriousness and professionalism brought him in contact with great personalities. Also, readers can learn that there is more joy in giving than there is in receiving. The heading of each of the chapters is uniquely designed. The star under each heading reminds me of Bosco’s origin as it keeps bringing to mind the star on Ghana’s flag. The different maps contained in the book are quite helpful. I was able to follow along as Bosco traveled to different places. Also, the picture of Ghanaian musical instruments taught me about Ghanaian music culture.