I am the author of the book "A Reason for Living" ("the way to fulfillment against great odds"). My story is that of a young athlete who became paralyzed due to a diving accident and suffered additional hardships. Years of depression followed where I became addicted to food, daydreaming and all manner of distractions that spared me the effort to face facts and fill my inner void with real meaning -- not just fillers, but worthy achievements that could bring me a sense of fulfillment. At long last, I woke up from my negative attitude and addictive behavior, and rebuilt my life from the ground up. My book "A Reason for Living" testifies to this in a way that I hope will prove inspiring to anyone who has a serious problem coping with life and readily resorts to escapism or hedonism as a means of shunning the battle of life and blurring the shame that goes with being a deserter. "Forward!" I cry. The time has come to fight for everything that is right. The time has come to be worthy.