A LIFE RECLAIMED - How a Quadruple Amputee Regained Control of Her Life

Book Trailer

2012-01-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, folks! To start 2012, I made a book trailer for my book "A Life Reclaimed" and uploaded it to Youtube. Here is the link and let me know what you think.
http://youtu.be/0jGyHn6Lbw4

Las Vegas!

2011-12-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

Sheila has been invited to speak at the Hanger Annual Education Fair and Exhibition in Las Vegas in early February 2012. For those who are not familiar with Hanger, it is a company that specializes in orthotics and prosthetics. Another exciting opportunity for Sheila who loves and is very much at ease with public speaking.

Sheila's Fluidity

2011-11-24T11:57:00.001-05:00

Sheila has taken up painting (acrylic) and has done several pieces. I love her latest one, Fluidity. From afar, it looks like an abstract piece but on closer look, you can see a face surrounded by long curly hair. That the painting was done only in two colors makes it all the more interesting.

What more can I do?

2011-11-09T14:49:00.002-05:00

My publisher has not registered any book sales in my account for quite a while. I don't have the gift of gab nor am I good with networking so I am not surprised. I have a blog (this one) and a website for the book A Life Reclaimed but that's it. What more can I do without getting embarrassed while attempting a sales pitch?

Anybody out there reading this who can help? Below is the link to order the book. It is also available in amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

http://www.booklocker.com/books/4311.html

Sheila's "First Anniversary"

2011-10-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

Here is a recent report from CBS Pittsburgh following Sheila's checkup at UPMC for the first anniversary of her bilateral hand transplant:

Double Hand Transplant Recipient Gaining Sensations, Functions « CBS Pittsburgh

CNN - Human Factor

2011-09-23T15:18:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the late notice; Sheila's interview with CNN's Human Factor was aired today at 11:38 am. For those who missed it, here is the link:

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/23/human-factor-two-beautiful-hands/?iref=allsearch

Sheila's First Anniversary

2011-09-21T17:01:00.000-04:00

September 18 was the first anniversary of Sheila's bilateral hand transplant. She drove to Pittsburgh for her checkup at UPMC. It's amazing how time goes. The surgery has been a real blessing for her. She works hard at her occupational therapy and we all marvel at her progress.

She was interviewed by CNN as part of their Human Factor program. I'll let you know as soon as I get the link.

Life Changing Medicine on Discovery Channel

2011-09-14T10:15:00.001-04:00

Sheila was part of UPMC's amazing program, Life-Changing Medicine. It was aired on Discovery Channel at 8 am on September 10, and will be repeated at the same time on September 17 and 24. For those without cable, here is the link:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1150157078001?bclid=1150154420001&bctid=1156023991001

LIFE-CHANGING MEDICINE

2011-08-19T23:02:00.002-04:00

Through the media relations of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Sheila was interviewed by Summer Productions on July 19, 2011 at her apartment in Hackensack, NJ. This segment is part of Discovery Channel's production, Life-Changing Medicine.

On August 11, 2011, she and her mom were flown to DC to be interviewed by Dr. John Whyte of Discovery Channel at the Newseum for the second part of her segment on August 12th. I was around for the filming and was impressed by the process. The whole crew of Summer Producrtions were incredibly nice and accommodating. The program will be aired on Discovery Channel at 8 am on September 10, 17, and 24. Watch out for it.

SHEILA'S TV INTERVIEW IN KANSAS CITY, MO

2011-06-04T17:16:00.000-04:00

Sheila was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to attend the ACA (Amputee Coalition of America) Conference in Kansas City, MO from June 2 - 4, 2011, accompanied by Dan Foust, UPMC Transplant Coordinator. She was interviewed by FOX News KC about her double hand transplant. Here is the link:

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-transplant-patient-adjusts-to-new-hands-20110603,0,5203894.story

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

2011-06-04T11:38:00.001-04:00

It's been more than 8 months since Sheila's surgery and what she has been able to do with her hands is just amazing. She works hard at her occupational therapy and is progressing very well. And, she has started working 4 hours a week. Imagine that!

To read more about Sheila, follow her blog at http://sheilamaya.blogspot.com/.

SHEILA'S VIDEO INTERVIEW

2011-03-19T11:25:00.001-04:00

For those who haven't seen or read Sheila's recent interview with Dana Tyler of CBSlocal news, here is the link:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/02/18/n-j-woman-thriving-following-historical-double-hand-transplant/

Also, a reminder to those who want to read more about Sheila, I have created a website for my book: http://cynthiaangeles.com/.

You can read the description and/or order A Life Reclaimed through this website or directly through this link:
http://www.booklocker.com/books/4311.html

It is also available in both paperback and ebook format online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

TIME FLIES SO FAST!

2010-09-06T09:25:00.000-04:00

It has been almost a year now since the book was published. Because of the internet, it has been easy for people who survived meningococcemia and underwent amputations, along with their family and friends, to access the book. We hope that it will continue to reach and help those who seek comfort and inspiration from Sheila's experience.

Amputee Coalition of America 2010 National Conference

2010-08-31T12:14:00.003-04:00

The 2010 ACA National Conference was held recently in Irvine, CA from August 26 to 29. Sheila was one of the attendees sponsored by the NYU Amputee Support Program. Because she was the only quadruple amputee in the group, a close family friend, Jo Lampa, accompanied her. She really enjoyed being part of the conference and even got to see her cousin, Piah (the editor of the book) and her husband, Aaron, who happen to live in Irvine. Small world, huh? It was her first trip by plane since her illness.

The Book Has Gone Global!

2010-07-30T17:10:00.001-04:00

Every once in a while, I "google" the book to see where it is being sold. Of course, it is not available in brick-and-mortar stores but, so far, it is sold online in the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Norway, Finland, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

But how come it is not available in the Philippines? Sadly, even for a color-interior paperback, it would be too expensive for most due to the prohibitive shipping costs.

SHEILA'S BLOG

2010-07-18T20:56:00.001-04:00

I follow Sheila's blog (http://sheilamaya.blogspot.com ) and read it with interest, not just because she is my niece but also because it gives me an insight to what she faces everyday. I sometimes go to StumpsRUs.org website and read the Questions/Answers. So many people who have lost their limbs are looking for answers or just want to connect with those who are in the same situation. It is fortunate that there are quite a few organizations who provide support and assistance to amputees like StumpsRUs, Lessthanfour, Amputee Network Blog, Amputee Coalition of America, etc.

A Life Reclaimed - The Background

2010-07-05T21:05:00.001-04:00

Sheila, her mom, and I talked about documenting Sheila's experiences for many years but only decided to develop it as a book in Spring 2007. From Sheila's notes and contributions, recollections, and photos from various family members and friends, I started writing her story in September 2008. After several layers of editing, the book slowly took a form of its own.

In April 2009, I started painting Sheila's portrait which I always intended to use for the book cover. After putting the final touches on the manuscript and working closely with the book designer on the interior and cover design, the book was finally published on September 30, 2009.

STUMPS R US - Update

2010-06-30T15:57:00.001-04:00

Correction please; my article about Sheila will appear in the winter issue of the Gimpy newsletter of Stumps R Us. Sorry!!!

STUMPS R US

2010-06-15T08:27:00.001-04:00

In May 2010, I sent an article about Sheila and a few photos to Stumps R Us, a support group for amputees all over the world. They will publish it in their next Gimpy newsletter, probably sometime in July. Watch out for it!

http://www.stumps.org/

Sheila's Blog

2010-06-11T16:07:00.001-04:00

At last, Sheila has her own blog (http://sheilamaya.blogspot.com/). Do check it out.

Why I wrote A Life Reclaimed

2010-05-25T18:26:00.001-04:00

People always ask me "How are book sales coming along?" And I respond, "Not well but it happens - sometimes." And then I think "But that isn't why I wrote the book". I embarked on the project with Sheila and the rest of the family to record what happened to her and to share her experience with others. It would be nice if the book sales took off but we are thankful for other things. A lot of people have been touched by the book. Hanna from Finland and Samantha from Canada have written to me (see previous posts) and have remained in contact with us, particularly with Sheila. Indeed, it is good to know that Sheila's story has made a difference to some. And that is something to be grateful for.

Fight for Sheldon

2010-05-14T13:24:00.001-04:00

I recently heard from Samantha Keller of London, Ontario. Her friends' 5-month old baby, Sheldon, has meningitis and is fighting for his life. Sheila, her mother, Piedad (my sister), and I have been in touch with her. Let's keep our fingers crossed for Sheldon. For those who want to keep track of his progress, Fight for Sheldon is on Facebook.

Less Than Four.org

2010-05-02T12:53:00.001-04:00

Sheila has joined Less than Four.org (http://lessthanfour.org/), an online community for amputees around the world, and has invited Hanna Latvus of Finland to join as well.

A Life Reclaimed Book Cover

2010-03-29T15:52:00.001-04:00

This is the portrait I did of Sheila, which is the front cover of A Life Reclaimed.

Sheila's Youtube videos

2010-03-19T16:31:00.001-04:00

Sheila has a couple of short youtube videos which I'd like to share with you. Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFsScU-21g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0rfG-Kz

A note from Hanna Latvus, Finland

2009-12-31T11:04:00.001-05:00

"I got meningococcemia in july 2008, in just a few hours i went from healthy young woman to unconsciouness that lasted 10 days. No hope was given to my family at first week. When unconscious i saw very realistic dreams, i knew i have to fight and all people who visited me in hospital were in my dreams. I was in ventilation machine, my kidneys, liver didnt work and there was huge problems with my blood circulation. When i woke up i was just so happy to be alive, even though i coudnt move at all for over a month. My hearing was very bad and 4 fingers partly and all toes had to be amputated. Recovery took very long time, i was in hospital 8,5 months and it took 7 months to take first steps. But now im working part-time and studying accounting. And got married in May with my great husband who has been supporting me all the time.It was great to read Sheilas story, shes a real survivor and has remained positive attitude to life. We both were very close to die but got second opportunity, of course with some limitations because our disabilities. Best wishes for the new year 2010! Hanna Latvus, Finland."

Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year

2009-12-29T11:25:00.001-05:00

I recently heard from a reader in Finland who contracted meningococcemia in 2008. After months of surgery and with her prosthetics, she has resumed her life, got married and is pursuing a new career. She found the book on the internet and tells how it made her feel good to hear about a few similarities between her and Sheila's experience. I am hoping that she will share the details in my blog.

A Life Reclaimed - latest news

2009-12-03T20:40:00.001-05:00

The book is now available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Interestingly enough, it is also available in some online booksellers in Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Sadly, it is not available in the Philippines except on special order and at a hefty price.

Welcome to my Booksite!

2009-10-15T14:35:00.001-04:00

I have created a website for my book: http://cynthiaangeles.com/. You can read a book description and/or order A Life Reclaimed through this website or directly through this link: http://www.booklocker.com/books/4311.html

A Life Reclaimed is now available at Booklocker!

2009-09-30T23:57:00.001-04:00

http://www.booklocker.com/books/4311.html

You can also order it from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.