Author Christopher D. Coleman has written a truly inspiring memoir that highlights the strength of the human spirit
A black, disabled, gay Christian man refuses to live a life defined by a label, be confined by society and denied by the church. Obstacles and challenges are commonplace in life and one can either face them with courage and faith or curl up into a little ball of fear and despair. One such example is the story of author Christopher D. Coleman who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has faced the obstacles life has thrown at him with admirable fortitude. In his book, No Longer Confined, readers will be able to read how Christopher battled and triumphed over being segregated, belittled and ostracized because of his race, disability and sexuality.
At birth Christopher Coleman was not breathing and was pronounced dead, yet after 15 minutes without oxygen to his brain, his wails finally filled the room with the sound of new life. This condition was supposed to prevent him from moving, talking or even thinking for himself.
Following his birth, his father left the family, leaving his mother to care for their family by herself. Placed into a special school primarily for physical care, Coleman began to learn on his, own teaching himself the alphabet.
As he got older, Coleman started reading his sister’s textbooks late into the night. For years he continued to read after the sun went down. At the age of 15, testing showed he was reading and functioning at a 9th grade level. After months of insistence by his mother, he was placed into the mainstream high school environment. His grades were consistently at the top of the class and he graduated from high school with honors, ranked fifth out of 360 seniors. Following high school, he went on to Southern Polytechnic University and became the first college graduate in his family.
With the same strength and courage of Nelson Mandela, he continued to triumphantly pursue truth, wholeness, and freedom. No Longer Confined is a truly enthralling memoir that follows the inspiring life of Christopher D. Coleman, who at birth was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. As an African-American adolescent in the South, he learned that stereotypes could be just as debilitating as a disability. Also, due to his sexuality as an adult in the 21st century Christopher confronts his fears each day and endures the bullying of many.
Despite the challenges his life presented, Christopher was able to overcome, finishing high school at the top of his class, graduate college as well and go on to live an unconfined life. This immensely inspiring story of courage and fortitude is a message to all the people in the world who confine themselves and others to many situations and circumstances.
Coleman’s book is filled with inspiring, challenging and heartbreaking moments that would not only lift one’s spirits but also prove to everyone in the world that they can achieve a dream, as long as they try hard enough. No Longer Confined illustrates the power of grace, love, mercy, determination, perseverance and faith.
Info: http://unconfinedlife.com/