50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities -- Wheeling Through 50 States

Book excerpt: Imagine three wheelchair racers setting and completing a truly audacious goal: Finishing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks. Travel with Paul Erway and his fellow racers to the first 14 marathons in a journey that's as life-changing as it is inspiring. While Erway's story is unique and born from tragedy -- suddenly paraplegic at 21 after a car accident -- his insights and attitude are instructive to us all, regardless of our abilities or disabilities. Erway finds solutions and positivity in every challenge, and teaches readers to first do three things when adversity strikes: 1) Overcome your fears. 2) Take control of the situation. 3) Then take an unbelievable ride, and experience a journey you never imagined. What to one person might be a handicap is to Paul Erway an avenue to new possibilities. In this debut book, Erway recounts the planning and excitement of the bold mission to complete 50 marathons in 50 states across 50 weeks. He shares the grueling moments, the surprising lessons, the exhilaration of finish line after finish line, and the amazing people he met along the way. 50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities -- Wheeling Through 50 States: From Jackson to the Boston Marathon Bombing is a story you'll never forget. It dares you to believe that we are full of abilities, not disabilities, and that the world presents us with possibilities, not limitations. With the right attitudes and the right goals, anything is possible -- especially when surrounded by the right people (like Erway's family, who treated him immediately after his accident like he was "the same person just with better parking privileges"). With a foreword by Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the nation's foremost advocate dedicated to finding treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neurological disorders. What are others saying about Paul Erway and 50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities? "I am so proud of the accomplishments of these three guys. Not only have they been successful in bringing greater awareness to individuals living with Spinal Cord Injury, but also the mission of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. It's incredible what they have done and continue to do to help others." - Jill Farmer, CTRS, CDSS, Manager of Therapeutic Recreation, Frazier Rehabilitation "Just when you thought your dreams were too big or too difficult, you find a book like Paul Erway's, which allows you to be inspired again! 50 Abilities, Unlimited Possibilities is a story of overcoming obstacles and achieving big dreams, and serves as an inspiration for all of us! Thanks Paul, for sharing your story." - Cathy Fyock, Author, Book Coach "Paul is my hero. His incredible life journey inspires a new kind of thinking for achieving one's potential through perseverance and self-belief. After reading this book, we all need to throw out any excuses not to reach for our dreams." - Cheryl Hart, Sport Psychology Consultant and Owner of 2nd Wind Motivation "I raced with Grant and Paul in Oita, Japan, where I first heard their plans about this challenge. I didn't think it could be done and they had to be crazy to try. This is true grit." - Matthew Porterfield, Fellow Wheelchair Athlete