In this âgripping story of resistance and the triumph of human willâ (Senator Elizabeth Warren), activist and subject of the documentary Not Going Quietly Ady Barkan explores his life with ALS and how his diagnosis gave him a profound new understanding of his commitment to social justice for all.
Ady Barkan loved taking afternoon runs on the California coast and holding his newborn son, Carl. But one day, he noticed a troubling weakness in his hand. At first, he brushed it off as carpal tunnel syndrome, but after a week of neurological exams and two MRIs, he learned the cause of the problem: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrigâs disease. At age thirty-two, Ady was given just three to four years to live. Yet despite the devastating diagnosis, he refused to let his remaining days go to waste.
Eyes to the Wind is a rousing memoir featuring intertwining storylines about determination, perseverance, and how to live a life filled with purpose and intention. The first traces Adyâs battle with ALS: how he turned the initial shock and panic from his diagnosis into a renewed commitment to social justiceânot despite his disability but because of it. The second, told in flashbacks, illustrates Adyâs journey from a goofy political nerd to a prominent figure in the enduring fight for equity and justice whose âselfless activism fighting to make health care a right should be an inspiration to us allâ (Senator Bernie Sanders).
From one of the most vocal advocates for social justice, Eyes to the Windâs âprimary question is existential: how to live when you are dying? Barkanâs answer is to share, open up, act, and capital-R Resist, and his memoir, clearly and candidly written, establishes a legacyâ (Booklist).
Includes an excerpt from the song âEyes to the Windâ by The War on Drugs!