My Left Foot

The warm, humorous and true story of Christy Brown's supreme courage and triumph over cerebral palsy. Christy Brown was severely disabled from birth with cerebral palsy and unable to use any part of his body other than his left foot. Doctors said he was a mental defective and that he would never be able to lead any kind of normal life; Christy proved them wrong. This is the first authorized biography of Christy Brown, written with the help of his surviving family members and artists who knew him well. It tells the astonishing story of Christy's struggle with his disability and his development as an artist, author, and poet, beginning with his mother teaching him to read and write using chalk on the worn floor of their small family home. Using previously unpublished letters and poems, this book marks Christy Brown's importance as a writer and celebrates his indomitable spirit.