Gratitude in Motion, Colleen Kelly Alexander
Gratitude in Motion, Colleen Kelly Alexander
4 Rating(s)
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
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Gratitude in Motion
A True Story of Hope, Determination, and the Everyday Heroes Around Us

Author: Colleen Kelly Alexander, Jenna Glatzer, Bart Yasso

Narrator: Colleen Kelly Alexander

Unabridged: 8 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Center Street

Published: 01/16/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

It was a beautiful fall day in Connecticut when Colleen Kelly Alexander, a lifelong athlete, rode her bike home from work. She had survived both a diagnosis of lupus and brain surgery, had a fulfilling career, and was married at last to the love of her life. Everything was good as she coasted along, meeting the eyes of a truck driver as he approached the stop sign beside her.

He didn't stop. The truck hit Colleen, running over her lower body with front and back tires and dragging her across the pavement. As she bled out in the street, nearby strangers surrounded her and the driver attempted to get away. An EMT herself, Colleen knew she had to stay awake. "I've just been reconnected with my soulmate," she told the medic. "We want to have a baby. I can't die now. Please don't let me die."

Five weeks in a coma and twenty-nine surgeries later, Colleen survived. Rather than let the trauma and PTSD control her life, she became determined to find a way to make something positive from her pain. She decided she'd run again and dedicate her race medals to the everyday heroes around us, including the medical staff and blood donors who saved her life. Since then Colleen has run fifty races and completed forty triathlons, including four half-Ironman events. Now a spokesperson for the Red Cross, Colleen shares her incredible inspirational story to encourage others to take that first step forward.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ron on February 20, 2018

A memoir about positivity and gratitude in the face of incredible, incomprehensible loss. Run over by a freight truck while riding home from work, Colleen Alexander beat impossible odds to return to participate in running events and triathlons, fundraising and acting as a spokesperson for the Red Cr......more

Goodreads review by Joan on February 02, 2018

I cannot imagine being hit and then run over by a freight truck – both front and back tires – hearing the truck accelerate away. Her body ripped apart, she died twice, had 78 pints of blood, was in a medically induced coma for a month (she had nightmares during it), and had surgery after surgery. Sh......more

Goodreads review by W. on March 15, 2018

An Amazing Story Captured in the Pages of this book It is a miracle that Colleen Kelly Alexander is alive much less living a full and vibrant life. This story is a page-turner from the opening pages until the final page. I loved reading this book. Here’s a short example of some of the extra-ordinary......more

Goodreads review by Maureen on December 26, 2023

I have needed to take time to process just what this book has meant to me and how to express my feelings about it. It means too much and it’s an impossible task but… My introduction to Colleen was not in the pages of this book, but through my own small town community. I kept noticing this strikingly......more

Goodreads review by RoseMary on February 12, 2018

Gratitude in Motion is not as attitude-changing as reading a non-fiction like Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. However, this book was a page turner because you want to understand how Ms. Alexander lived through getting run over by a freight truck—both front and back tires. Yes, run over. Not hit, not......more


Quotes

Colleen is a personal inspiration of mine. Her guts, grit and determination alone are enough to embolden anyone who hears her speak. But it is Colleen's great humanity and humility in the face of her challenges that should inspire us all.—Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

"I always said running is the ultimate faith healer, restoring belief not only in oneself but life's possibilities. Colleen brought that message to life and had me thinking of my own possibilities. Colleen's message isn't about how far we can run but how much we can endure just to be part of the running community."—Bart Yasso, Retired Chief Running Officer of Runner's World

Colleen Kelly Alexander is a living embodiment of resiliency, grace, and gratitude--even in the face of some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Read this remarkable memoir. It will lift up your heart with thankfulness and inspiration, just as Colleen has inspired countless everyday heroes who strive to make this world a better place.—Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross

Gratitude in Motion is a powerful story of the triumph of one determined and inspiring soul. Colleen Kelly Alexander's vision to 'bring about more humanity and understanding' despite monumental obstacles gives hope to us all. Her story is the gift that the world needs so desperately right now.—Kate Cumbo, PhD, Director of Programs, PeaceJam Foundation