To Exist as I Am

Grace Spence, Green

What do you do when life changes in an instant? What does it mean to heal when the world keeps asking what’s wrong? At the age of twenty-two, Grace Spence Green’s spine was broken at the fourth thoracic vertebra. One day, she was in hospital supporting patients, the next she was fighting for her own life. As she struggled to piece together her new life as a wheelchair user, she wondered how she could she be both a doctor and a patient. ‘To Exist As I Am’ chronicles Grace’s journey from idealistic medical student to spinal-injury patient, and then to qualified doctor and vocal disability activist. Her life-affirming reflections question the value we place on independence, in favour of the rich networks of care that bind us together. She asks how we might fight for change, while joyously embracing life as we are.

Featured on Women's Prize for Non-fiction Longlist 2026.

£10.99

Out of stock

Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?

Description

‘Inspiring and life-affirming’ VIV GROSKOP’Astonishing, important, and truly radical … this book is completely transformative’ POLLY MORLAND’Surrendering to what happens to us, to find joy and meaning in spite of it, is the bravest and most wise choice we can make. This book is extraordinary’ MIRANDA HARTIt wasn’t a car crash, but there was a collision. He fell from the third floor. At the age of twenty-two, Grace Spence Green’s spine was broken at the fourth thoracic vertebra, and her life changed tracks. One day, she was in hospital supporting patients, the next she was one.To Exist As I Am traces Grace’s journey back to the wards and back to herself – as words like recovery, independence and community, well and unwell, took on new meanings. Through her extraordinary story, she asks how we might fight for change, while joyously embracing life exactly as we are.

Additional information

Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

224

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

610.92 (edition:23)

Readership

College – higher education / Code: F