I chose to write my book report on an autobiography. Flying Without Wings, by Dr. Arnold Beisser, is about his battle with polio and how he overcame countless obstacles. Born in 1925, he contracted paralytic polio at the age of 24. Although our situations are very different, I have discovered that we are actually quite similar. His ideas about life as a disabled person are accurate. Although the autobiography is not focused on finance, many of its ideas and life lessons are directly related to financial goals and, ultimately, financial independence. Until Beisser contracted polio, he led a “normal” life. He won a national tennis championship and had already completed his basic medical training at the age of 24. As a member of the National Reserve, he was called to fight in the Korean War. While he was determined physically fit to serve, he became ill while on his way to Navy training. His diagnosis was non-paralytic polio. Within hours, he was paralyzed from the neck down. He spent a year and a half in an iron lung and was in the hospital for a total of three years. He was paralyzed for the rest of his life. On the contrary, I was born with congenital muscular dystrophy with merosin deficiency. I never had the ability to walk, stand, or take care of myself. I have used an electric wheelchair since I was eighteen months old. I attended public school my entire career and earned high honor rolls every semester of high school. I currently attend the small liberal arts college Wells College. While Beisser has faced great loss, I have only known my life as it is now. However, I often questioned my abilities and my future, just like Beisser. Throughout the book, Beiss... middle of paper ...... adapted to his ever-changing situation, became a doctor, got married, and most importantly, overcame countless obstacles. He managed to do all this in the second half of the 20th century. Given advances in technology and greater acceptance of people with disabilities in today's society, it would be easier for him today. Beisser succeeded and so did I. I will travel, I will find good jobs that fulfill me, I will surround myself with loving people, and, perhaps most importantly, I will be financially independent. Works Cited Beisser, Arnold R.. Flying Without Wings: Personal Reflections on Being Disabled. New York: Doubleday, 1989. Print. Merryfield, Dennis. “17 wealth files.” Business 111. Wells College. McMillan 121, Aurora. September 10, 2013. Lecture. Tracy, Brian. Goals!. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler;, 2003. Print.