Was It Spectacular?

A Memoir

By: Anne B. Thomas

Narrated by: Claire Simon

Half a world away from home in 1976, 18-year old Anne B. Thomas awakens on the side of a two-lane road paralyzed from the chest down. Fast forward through a rigorous year of physical therapy to when her doctor gives her an ominous warning: “You will live a long time and be a burden on your family for the rest of your life unless you check yourself into a nursing home”.

Anne spends the rest of her life proving that doctor wrong.

This brutally honest memoir follows Anne’s journey as a young woman learning to navigate an inaccessible world to developing a fierce sense of self-worth to becoming a tireless advocate for others. An award-winning storyteller, Anne wrote this memoir to share her adventures, heartbreaks, and triumphs in a life well-lived - one that was spectacular.

©2020 Allison Yabroff (P)2021 Allison Yabroff

Critic reviews

"In her tireless fight against discrimination, Anne was and continues to be recognized as a leader, and I’m incredibly gratified and proud that her work and legacy will live on." (Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Governor)

"It was spectacular, it was heroic, it was brave. After an automobile accident alters the course of Anne Thomas’ life, she takes us on a journey of resilience and character, staying true to herself and her aspirations and refusing to let her disability define who she was." (Jim Toomey, Syndicated Cartoonist, Sherman's Lagoon)

"Anne Thomas’ story focuses on living life to the fullest through the intentional choice to create memorable life experiences." (Mary Nguyen, Director of CSULB Bob Murphy Access Center)

Anne's story, and life, is spectacular.

The story telling is wonderful. I listened to the book in increments because I wanted to stretch out my enjoyment of her story. Anne and I were in the same law school class. We didn't socialize with the same people, but I always remember her as being very nice to everyone. She always had a smile on her face. I can't recognize the A-hole from law school, but if I knew who he was I would give him a piece of my mind. what a sleeze. RIP Anne and may you be dancing and laughing wherever you are.