An Olympic year, and after many years away, I went back to a Faith and Light camp—and here's the connection to this book: the "Olympic dream" was the theme of our gathering. We heard stories from remarkable athletes, and their dreams became mirrors for our own. Among them was Bebe, and I found myself wanting to read her story from beginning to now.
This book is about dreams. A stunning nineteen-year-old fencer, bearing a profound physical disability, competed in the Paralympics and won gold in her event. She lived her dream. The path there could have led anywhere else—circumstances that might have justified despair. Yet she and her family never let go of hope. They fought hard, gave everything they had, and held no regrets for what was lost.
Her story demands to be heard in her own voice. Jovanotti, who introduces the book, captures it perfectly: being around her, doing anything at all with her, makes you a better person. He calls her the "magical girl"—and the magic is real. Yes, there are scars and missing limbs. But there is so much life, so much vitality, that you move past it all with joy, with wonder, and with ease.
Cristina Tersigni, 2016