In This Altered Body

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Product Details

Publisher: Facing Forward Books
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: HC: 979-8-9900340-2-0; PB: 979-8-9900340-0-6; EB: 979-8-9900340-1-3
Trim: 5.5 x 8.5
Page Count: 240

 

A Survivor’s Story of Resilience and Love

Charlene Pell

Charlene Pell wears her scars like badges of honor—she has never hidden them.

Thirty years ago, on a sunny afternoon, Charlene was on a private flight to Cat Island, Bahamas, when the unthinkable happened: the plane, piloted by her fiancé, experienced a mechanical problem and crashed in a fiery inferno. When Charlene awoke, she discovered that 64 percent of her body had been burned, and her fiancé had died.

In This Altered Body is the compelling story of Charlene’s physical and emotional odyssey to reclaim her life and identity after surviving a tragedy that left her facially disfigured and grieving. As Charlene begins the long, painful process of recovery, she fears she will never be loved again, because her outward beauty has been destroyed and our society, obsessed with flawless skin and superficial beauty, stigmatizes disfigurement. But through dogged determination, Charlene overcomes difficult obstacles both physical and emotional—and learns from the experiences of other burn survivors to never write off her dreams and to be open to possibilities . . . including love. Brimming with insight from a life of perseverance, In This Altered Body is a piercing memoir about tragic loss and the resilience of the human spirit.

About the Author

Charlene Pell is the founder of Facing Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with facial or physical differences cope with staring and communicate confidently. In 1994, Pell survived a plane crash that burned her body, severely injuring her face and hands. As a result of her disfigurement and the lack of resources available to her during her recovery, Pell created a nationwide program to help herself and others.

Visit the author’s website at charlenepell.com

Reviews

“As one of the surgeons who provided care to Charlene, I can without reservation confirm that Charlene’s journey has been a truly remarkable and miraculous path of recovery. Here she details every grueling physical, psychological, and emotional step she has taken as she has responded to the challenge of redefining her life. This is a must read for anyone who values the human capacity for recovery and growth!” —Michael Peck, MD, FACS, former president of the Board of Trustees of the American Burn Association

“In this moving, vulnerable memoir, Pell offers an enduring contribution to the testimony of human resilience . . . Pell’s bold, inspiring memoir challenges readers to deeper empathy and to confront preconceived notions and biases.”  —BookLife Reviews

“In This Altered Body is a book for anyone with a big challenge, not just burn survivors and the people who love them, although they surely will go nuts for it. But no one will want to put this book down. It’s a great read, with powerful lessons in how to get where you need to be, all the while honoring your beautiful inner self.” —Belleruth Naparstek, psychotherapist, author, and founder of Health Journeys, a guided imagery audio library

“This engrossing memoir of surviving a horrific plane crash and a series of crushing life changes shows how persistence and a willingness to try can make all the difference. Charlene Pell never gave up. She’s a forceful role model for transforming tragedy into an inspiration for others.” —Katherine Ramsland, bestselling author of Confession of a Serial Killer

“It is not often that I open a memoir and can’t put it down. This stunning book provides an opening into the lives and souls of people who, because of severe burn injury, often live on the periphery of our society. Charlene does this by skillfully sharing her own journey of healing from severe burns—healing both physically and psychologically. Her perceptive insight and engaging style capture her experience in a way that is courageous, compassionate, and compelling. Charlene’s narrative of survival is not only a testament to her own resilience but also a lesson to all of us as we connect with the vagaries of life.” —Dave Sluyter, former CEO of the Fetzer Institute

“I was in awe of Charlene from the very first moment she introduced herself to us at the ABA meeting in 1996. My awe for her has increased substantially since reading her memoir. My husband, son, and I have all been hospitalized for burn injuries, and Charlene’s detailed and articulate descriptions resonated profoundly with me as she unraveled her incredible experience of the plane crash, her tips and strategies for her recovery, and how she subsequently found love again, which changed her life. Not only will this amazing and remarkable woman’s experience leave you in awe as it did me (yet again!), but her story will give untold hope, inspiration, and encouragement to those who are disfigured or suffering any type of physical ‘difference.’” —Delwyn Breslau, burn survivor advocate, founder of the Burn Support Group, and the wife of Alan Breslau, the late founder of the Phoenix Society

“A beautiful book from an utterly beautiful human. Charlene illustrates how to turn tragedy into triumph, through a life of devotion to others. Whether you have a facial difference or not, this book will help you to do the same.” —Phyllida Swift, CEO of Face Equality International

“Charlene’s memoir provides a timely, universal, and hopeful message for our society. She addresses the importance of remaining human and honoring the personhood of each individual regardless of the circumstance. By sharing the horror and reality of her circumstances, she helps us understand the essence of being and remaining human. I am the nurse who asked, ‘Can we create a place of healing that helps her transcend beyond her physical limitations?’ and Charlene eloquently answered the question with a resounding yes. . . . Each page of this book is filled with subtle and obvious pearls of wisdom from her story. As a nurse, I learned more about my accountability and enjoyed learning about Charlene’s.” —Bonnie Wesorick, RN, MSN, FAAN, DPNAP, author of Polarity Thinking in Healthcare, and eponym for The Bonnie Wesorick Center for Healthcare Transformation at Grand Valley State University in Michigan

“This book is a deep dive into Charlene’s healing journey and what happened not just to her after the injury, but also to those around her: her family, friends, and even hospital staff. Charlene is a shining example of someone who never gave up hope, and who continues to strive to have a full and meaningful life. Her book is full of wisdom for every stage of burn recovery and a must-read for anyone affected by a burn injury, as well as for anyone who wants to understand what it takes to ‘find yourself’ after trauma.” —Barbara-Anne Hodge, chair of the Mamingwey Burn Society and board member of the Canadian Burn Survivors Community

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