I Was Pronounced Dead

by Toom Chanda

Overview

'I Was Pronounced Dead' by Toom Chanda is a powerful memoir of endurance, faith, and love. From the war-ravaged villages of Laos to the hope and uncertainty of starting anew in America, Toom's story traces a remarkable journey through loss, survival, and transformation. Her narrative begins in childhood when war tears her homeland apart, forcing her family to flee in search of safety. Through years of displacement and hardship, she witnesses both the cruelty and courage that define human nature.

Haunted by the death of her firstborn daughter and sustained by her Buddhist faith, Toom learns to rebuild her life while holding onto the memories of those she has lost. Her reflections on identity and belonging offer an honest portrait of what it means to start over in a foreign land while remaining connected to one's roots.

This memoir captures the unbreakable strength of family and the quiet resilience that arises from suffering. Told with clarity and compassion, it invites readers to consider their own capacity for forgiveness and renewal. 'I Was Pronounced Dead' is not only a story of survival but also a celebration of the human spirit's ability to heal, hope, and love again, regardless of how deep the wounds or how distant the journey is.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798901184141
Publisher:	Toom Chanda
Publication date:	11/17/2025
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Toom Chanda was born into poverty in Laos, where access to education, clean water, and basic comforts was a daily struggle. Of mixed heritage—25% Thai, 25% Lao, and 50% Hmong—he has learned what it means to belong nowhere and to belong everywhere at once. In 1998, he and his parents sought a new life in the United States, carrying with them a lifetime of stories, resilience, and unyielding hope. A dreamer who never stopped listening, Toom aspires to be a movie actor and film producer, with a vision to bring his family’s journey to the world. He writes to honor his mother and to shine a light on the struggles of those who endure loss, isolation, and displacement, while showing that perseverance can forge a path to hope—and perhaps spark a worldwide movie that tells these stories.