Unexpected Blessings
Overview
Want students to read more? So does Townsend Press. That's why we created the Townsend Library—a collection of high-interest paperbacks that engage readers. These books feature compelling human stories and include an afterword and author commentary to deepen readers' enjoyment. Acclaimed by educators and readers alike, each Townsend Library book is available to schools for $3.
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About Unexpected Blessings
When Roxanne Black was only 15, she was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that can attack the vital organs of the body. As a teenager with a rare and terrifying ailment, Roxanne yearned to connect with others who knew first-hand what she was experiencing. So she formed a support group to bring patients across the country together. That group has now become Friends' Health Connection, a nationwide community that matches thousands of people with similar conditions—from cancer and lupus to paralysis and chronic pain, and more.
Roxanne’s mission each day for the last 20 years has been to turn her “bad news” diagnosis into something positive. As she says, “when I might wonder ‘Why me?’, I know the answer: ‘To help others.”
Unexpected Blessings is an extension of that mission. It brings to life not only Roxanne’s inspiring personal story, but also the lessons of courage she’s learned from all the famous and not-so-famous people she’s met over the years.
From a poignant encounter with Christopher Reeve to her intimate experiences with patients around the globe standing strong in the face of extraordinary challenges, these are stories of heroism and hope. They are also reminders of the healing that happens when we can connect together from the heart. Warm and down-to-earth, Unexpected Blessings offers support and encouragement for anyone touched by illness, or anyone facing a difficult time in his or her life. It is a powerful testimony to the strength of the human spirit.