Surprised by Hope - From Circus Girl to Quadriplegic Journey of Terror and Joy (Paperback)

This story begins when Vickie -- having become a quadriplegic through a trapeze fall -- and her husband, Gary, are pulled over by the police back in 1987. Reason: Someone has reported that they are on their way to commit a double suicide, although it is not revealed until the end of the story who called the police. Gary is hauled off to jail and eventually faces minor charges. Vickie is taken to the psyche ward, the first of many visits and months in institutions thereafter.

After several exits and entries, Gary leaves to live on his own (they eventually divorce). Vickie manages quite well on her own and even attends graduate school to study social work. She still must have home care yet through a series of incidents and particularly the arrival of a Christian aide to help her, Vickie comes to Christ and is baptized.

Even though she continues to need the help of aides, she manages to take on a new career of writing to inmates (loosely connected with Prison Fellowship) and generally has a life of ministry.

The latter chapters reveal her change in attitude toward life from being master of her own destiny to yielding her life to Christ.

Vickie's colorful writing style embraces a broad range of emotions as she tells her story, sometimes humorously, sometimes poignantly.