ONE STEP AT A TIME

An impressive, inspirational debut memoir that makes a convincing argument for mind-body healing.

McCord arranges his story chronologically, starting with his childhood, but it largely centers on the months following his accidental fall downstairs. The author was left without the use of his limbs, and his fine motor skills were virtually nonexistent. After his initial hospital stay, he was taken to a grueling rehabilitation center where he worked to eventually regain control of over 90 percent of his previous abilities. After much effort, he was able to live independently once again and find gainful employment in a government job. In the climactic final pages, McCord challenges himself and his two sons to climb Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains. The author has a deep interest in spirituality, mind-body awareness and reiki healing that permeates much of the memoir. At one point, he tells of hiring an exorcist, and at another, he discusses his explorations into accessing his “higher consciousness.” He manages to strike the right tone when discussing these subjects, however, by never preaching or proselytizing; rather, he states what he believes to be true. His compelling conviction is difficult to ignore, particularly when he supports it with well-chosen quotes from the Bible and other sources. However, although McCord writes well, his book might have benefited from a stronger edit; the three sections of the memoir—before, during and after his time as a quadriplegic—seem to have been written at different times, with different focuses. The opening chapters describing his background lack finesse, and in later sections, long lists of alleged evidence of paranormal activity slow the story’s momentum.

An often inspiring memoir and a meditation on how fate can change one’s life in an instant.