Kevin Garrison Florida LPO and Amputee writes Book / Its JUst a Matter of Balance
Tony Barr
Description
Collection
Title:
Kevin Garrison Florida LPO and Amputee writes Book / Its JUst a Matter of Balance
Creator:
Tony Barr
Date:
2/15/2006
Text:
WESTON
Amputee shares experience in book
Weston resident Kevin Garrison hopes his book about his struggles after
losing a foot to cancer will inspire others.
BY BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL
Special to The Miami Herald
While jotting down his life story, what kept Kevin Garrison going was
knowing that his experience battling cancer and losing a foot to the disease
could help other people, particularly fellow amputees.
''When I was in the process of writing the book, it became, at times, very
complicated and difficult,'' said Garrison, a Weston resident who recently
finished penning his biography. 'But I would stop and say to myself, `If one
person can benefit from reading this book, if one person contacts me and
says it has changed their life and I've helped them, it all will have been
worth it.' ''
It took Garrison 2 ½ years to complete his manuscript, It's Just a Matter of
Balance.
''It was very expensive to print, '' he said of self-publishing. ``I didn't
contact publishers because I heard there would be a lengthy delay in getting
it to market. I wanted to get it out as soon as possible.''
The 129-page book chronicles Garrison's journey of learning to love life
after being diagnosed at age 16 with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer
that led to the amputation of his foot. He began wearing a prosthesis a year
later.
Garrison, a native of Cleveland, recounts his struggles and victories as an
amputee. He went on to become a certified prosthetist and devote his life to
helping other amputees, a path that eventually led him to found Garrison's
Prosthetic Services in 1986.
He operates clinics in North Miami Beach, Margate and Pembroke Pines. He
runs the business with his wife, Catheline. The couple have five children.
He has been promoting the book at various places, including a signing in
January at the Borders Books & Music in Aventura. It received a big boost in
November when it was listed as recommended inspirational reading on the
official website of Heather Mills McCartney, an amputee and wife of Paul
McCartney.
''I joined her website to communicate with other amputees,'' Garrison said.
``I sent her a copy of the book. To have it listed is such a gracious
honor.''
Garrison is looking for a publisher to take over the book's marketing.
At each appearance, he reads a chapter and takes questions. Meeting the
public has been very rewarding, he said.
''I'm enabling [amputees] to see through my story what they are going
through and what they are feeling is normal,'' he said. ``In doing that, I
am empowering them to move on, accept what they've been through and gain
strength from that and fully grow as an individual.''
The book has motivated others, as well.
Brent Goldman, headmaster at The Sagemont School in Weston, said a guidance
counselor at the private school is working with Garrison to come up with
projects involving the students, who include one of Garrison's children.
''His book can teach them many different lessons,'' Goldman said. ``Mr.
Garrison has truly made lemonade out of lemons.''
Rabbi Sheldon Harr, spiritual leaderof Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in
Plantation, where Garrison and his family are members, said he was moved
after reading the book.
''I thought it was a profile in courage,'' Harr said. ``It showed the
perseverance of a person who knew he had to overcome challenges and turned
it into a meaningful venture that helps other people. It shows that never
giving up and working toward a goal is possible, no matter what our
circumstances might be.''
Garrison's next local appearance will be at 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Borders in
Coral Springs.
The biography is available at Garrison's website and through his clinics.
A portion of all sales are donated to The Barr Foundation, a nonprofit
organization in Boca Raton that supplies prosthetic limbs to needy amputees.
For information, visit www.garrisonop.com < <URL Redacted>> or
call 888-333-8770.
Amputee shares experience in book
Weston resident Kevin Garrison hopes his book about his struggles after
losing a foot to cancer will inspire others.
BY BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL
Special to The Miami Herald
While jotting down his life story, what kept Kevin Garrison going was
knowing that his experience battling cancer and losing a foot to the disease
could help other people, particularly fellow amputees.
''When I was in the process of writing the book, it became, at times, very
complicated and difficult,'' said Garrison, a Weston resident who recently
finished penning his biography. 'But I would stop and say to myself, `If one
person can benefit from reading this book, if one person contacts me and
says it has changed their life and I've helped them, it all will have been
worth it.' ''
It took Garrison 2 ½ years to complete his manuscript, It's Just a Matter of
Balance.
''It was very expensive to print, '' he said of self-publishing. ``I didn't
contact publishers because I heard there would be a lengthy delay in getting
it to market. I wanted to get it out as soon as possible.''
The 129-page book chronicles Garrison's journey of learning to love life
after being diagnosed at age 16 with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer
that led to the amputation of his foot. He began wearing a prosthesis a year
later.
Garrison, a native of Cleveland, recounts his struggles and victories as an
amputee. He went on to become a certified prosthetist and devote his life to
helping other amputees, a path that eventually led him to found Garrison's
Prosthetic Services in 1986.
He operates clinics in North Miami Beach, Margate and Pembroke Pines. He
runs the business with his wife, Catheline. The couple have five children.
He has been promoting the book at various places, including a signing in
January at the Borders Books & Music in Aventura. It received a big boost in
November when it was listed as recommended inspirational reading on the
official website of Heather Mills McCartney, an amputee and wife of Paul
McCartney.
''I joined her website to communicate with other amputees,'' Garrison said.
``I sent her a copy of the book. To have it listed is such a gracious
honor.''
Garrison is looking for a publisher to take over the book's marketing.
At each appearance, he reads a chapter and takes questions. Meeting the
public has been very rewarding, he said.
''I'm enabling [amputees] to see through my story what they are going
through and what they are feeling is normal,'' he said. ``In doing that, I
am empowering them to move on, accept what they've been through and gain
strength from that and fully grow as an individual.''
The book has motivated others, as well.
Brent Goldman, headmaster at The Sagemont School in Weston, said a guidance
counselor at the private school is working with Garrison to come up with
projects involving the students, who include one of Garrison's children.
''His book can teach them many different lessons,'' Goldman said. ``Mr.
Garrison has truly made lemonade out of lemons.''
Rabbi Sheldon Harr, spiritual leaderof Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in
Plantation, where Garrison and his family are members, said he was moved
after reading the book.
''I thought it was a profile in courage,'' Harr said. ``It showed the
perseverance of a person who knew he had to overcome challenges and turned
it into a meaningful venture that helps other people. It shows that never
giving up and working toward a goal is possible, no matter what our
circumstances might be.''
Garrison's next local appearance will be at 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Borders in
Coral Springs.
The biography is available at Garrison's website and through his clinics.
A portion of all sales are donated to The Barr Foundation, a nonprofit
organization in Boca Raton that supplies prosthetic limbs to needy amputees.
For information, visit www.garrisonop.com < <URL Redacted>> or
call 888-333-8770.
Citation
Tony Barr, “Kevin Garrison Florida LPO and Amputee writes Book / Its JUst a Matter of Balance,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/226196.
