In the spirit of The Blind Side and Friday Night Lights comes a tender and profoundly moving memoir about an ESPN producerâs unexpected relationship with two disabled wrestlers from inner city Cleveland, and how these bondsâblossoming, ultimately, into a most unorthodox familyâwould transform their lives.
When award-winning ESPN producer Lisa Fenn returned to her hometown for a story about two wrestlers at one of Clevelandâs toughest public high schools, she had no idea that the trip would change her life. Both young men were disadvantaged students with significant physical disabilities. Dartanyon Crockett was legally blind as a result of Leberâs disease; Leroy Sutton lost both his legs at eleven, when he was run over by a train. Brought together by wrestling, they had developed a brother-like bond as they worked to overcome their disabilities.
After forming a profound connection with Dartanyon and Leroy, Fenn realized she couldn't just walk away when filming ended; these boys had had to overcome the odds too many times. Instead, Fenn dedicated herself to ensuring their success long after the reporting was finished and the story airedâand an unlikely family of three was formed.
The years ahead would be fraught with complex challenges, but Fenn stayed with the boys every step of the wayâteaching them essential life skills, helping them heal old wounds and traumatic pasts, and providing the first steady and consistent support system theyâd ever had.
This powerful memoir is one of love, hope, faith, and strengthâa story about an unusual family and the courage to carry on, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.