I wrote I Stand With Courage to share my story of hope. It is a story of an ordinary woman who experienced an extraordinary challenge. I experienced this daunting challenge when I suddenly become paralyzed. It transformed my life. After I accepted my fate I began struggling daily to do the best I could despite my handicap. As I strived to better myself I gradually made progress until I was again standing, walking, and then driving. My journey was unique to me, but I am not alone in tackling challenges. We all face challenges of varying degrees in our life. I had experienced what people often thought of as a miracle. Friends told me I was an inspiration to them. That’s when I realized sharing my journey might provide courage to others.       I am retired from a career in marketing and advertising and am a proud grandmother of two lovely granddaughters who inspired me to succeed in my quest for mobility. I live in Minnetonka, Minnesota with my husband, Charlie, who entered his own physical quagmires at the same time as I was experiencing mine.