When One Door Closes: A Teen's Inspiring Journey and Living Legacy

A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

When One Door Closes: A Teen's Inspiring Journey and Living Legacy is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; and Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life Changing

This is a book that you will want to read more than once! It's very gripping! You CAN'T read this book and not be changed. Alex was truly a remarkable girl and her legacy will LIVE on. I loved the compassion and love behind every word on every page. Thank you to ALL who contributed to this work.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I would recommend When One Door Closes to those of all walks of life teens, young adults, adults, and the elderly. Alex offers wise life lessons on the power of attitude, perspective, strength, and love. Not only does she offer lessons through hardships of illness, but the reader can find strength in Alex's example and apply it to any adversity in life, even the smallest bumps in the road.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful Parents!

I think the Grahams are wonderful parents to raise such an extraordinary child. Their contributions to the situation are one of the main reasons Alex could reach out to others. Her family continuously loved and supported her throughout her treatment, as did her friends. By encouraging Alex's friends to visit at home and the hospital, they provided their daughter with maximum support. By telling her the truth about her disease, they gave Alex the freedom to believe what they told her. (Patients can sense the truth)
The family and friends' efforts to raise money for ACS and Make a Wish, in Alex's name, is a lasting legacy to her memory. Thank you Grahams for teaching us how to cope with whatever may happen in an uncertain world.

Wow!

¿When One Door Closes¿ is an extremely well written story of a teen¿s tragic but inspiring fight with cancer. The authors expose the reader to the many cycles of emotion experienced by not only the teen herself but her friends, parents, family, church, medical staff and even her community (and soon you the reader). Her many special qualities and the journey she took with this disease will encourage you to seek out the next opened door. You will appreciate (as I did) this experience being shared.

LIFE LESSON

This book, presented in an interesting and easy to read format, is a 'must read' not only for individuals and families dealing with serious illness but for those who have never faced devastating, life-changing challenges. We read of a young woman who bravely takes on these circumstances with amazing strength and determination,not yielding to self-pity,instead showing compassion and understanding toward others. This book lets you put yourself in another's place and ask 'What would I do? How would I react?' Important things to think about!

An inspirational legacy

A story worth reading of an inspirational legacy. These are the reminders we need that the world is only as we choose to see it, and that our life is more far reaching and powerful than we can ever understand. Thanks to the Graham family and friends for letting us all learn and be inspired by Alex's attitude and outlook.

An inspiring journey

A heartbreaking journey filled with honest remembrances. A must read for anyone who has or will ever face adversity (all of us...). A fitting tribute to an amazing young woman.

Angel

Alex has redefined my understanding of an Angel.

Her love shines on...

Heartbreaking yet so heartwarming. I was humbled and totally inspired

A Truly Inspiring Read

It doesn¿t sound right when I say aloud that I loved this book when I think of the circumstances of why it was written but once I started reading it I just could not put it down. I was compelled to search for an answer or make some sense out of why bad things happen to good people. Perhaps one day I will get that answer but for now I know I will walk away trying to be a better and stronger person because Alex¿s story is so inspiring. Who knows - maybe one day I will discover that this is the answer for me. I want to thank her parents, family and friends who have so graciously shared Alex¿s story with the world. I¿m sure Alex is smiling down on everyone.

A Must Read

What a powerful book. Insightful and moving, it pulls your whole heart into the book and the life of Alex. Well written with lessons to be grasped. Don't miss the opportunity to truly be moved in heart.

Just what I needed.

An inspirational story of faith and courage. For everyone that has suffered a recent loss, or is having trouble on their journey in grief. Alex's story is balm for the hurting heart. She leaves a legacy that continues to touch and heal the hurting.

Where There Is Life...

This book is not only a moving account of how a young girl handled the illness that took her life but it also shows how her attitude affected all those whose lives she touched. That Alex was courageous and uncomplaining is a given but what came through to me was how she maintained her fantastic sense of humor even at the worst of times, and continued to have fun, at the best. Instead of feeling sorry for herself when her leg had to be amputated, she had her girlfriends polish her toenails the night before the operation and wrote a message on her leg for the surgeon, cautioning him to be sure to remove the 'sick' leg and not the healthy one. Whenever she was physically able to, Alex continued to go to concerts, games, shopping and to the beach with her friends. She even 'danced' at a wedding in her wheelchair and helped out her mom in her card store. As long as there was life in her frail, little body, she lived it to the very best of her ability, right up to the end. Since her parent's share of the book's proceeds is going to the Make A Wish Foundation, by buying it you can play a part in helping to make a desperately sick child's wish come true while learning what real courage is all about and keeping Alex's memory alive.

Wow!

I regret that I never had the chance to meet Alex. But I feel like I got to know what an amazing person she was by reading this book. Each chapter shared another treasured memory by the people whose lives she touched. Alex will never be defined by the disease that took her life. She showed her strength and spirit in each day of her short life. Still today, Alex's legacy lives on. Even people who never knew her can benefit from her wisdom, attitude, and love of life. I highly recommend this book!

Tragic and inspirational

Because the book is written from so many different perspectives it gives the reader a Rashomon effect of this girl's life and illness. It is ultimately sad, but at the same time gives insight into coping with an illness that effects so many people, not just those who are afflicted with the disease. A great read. Highly recommend.

A must read!

This book comprises poignant, straight from heart reflections from those whose lives were deeply touched and influenced by Alex. Through it you get to know her, even if you have never met her. Every person on earth needs to read this book!!

How to learn about living from someone dying

Every page of this book shows you how to live your life in very simple terms. In her short life, Alex touched everyone she knew showing us how easy it is to make the right choices in life. Now her generous parents are sharing Alex's simple magic with the world. This book gives the reader the strength and courage to live life as all humans should. The world would be much improved if everyone read it. You will be much improved if you read it.

You can't help but be changed after reading Alex's story

It's rare these days to not be connected to someone who is undergoing a life-threatening disease. It's even rarer to find someone like Alex who used her situation to have a positive and lasting impact on others. While the subject matter is heavy in terms of a young girl's fight with cancer, it reads in a way that lets you, the reader, stop and reflect on each chapter as its own story, taking it in at your own pace. Having said that, I found myself completely captivated and had a very hard time putting it down. I especially enjoyed the excerpts from Alex's journal and the stories of her family and friends. Alex was a normal girl, but in so many ways she was an extraordinary soul. Her life is inspiring, and you will be changed after reading her story.

The Grahams are a true inspiration. . .

As an interviewee for the book, I had the opportunity to read an advance copy and found that this book is such a gift. At first, I thought it might be just for people who are or have experienced cancer. But as I got further into it I realized that this book is for everyone! The stories are weaved together so well and I was able to read the entire book in two days. And, it left me with such a beautiful perspective of life. The Grahams involved everyone in this experience and for that, they were blessed and they were a blessing to so many. This book should be a #1 bestseller! Thank you to all who participated in making this project come to fruition - now even more of us are blessed!