Synopses & Reviews
In 1998, at a Fourth of July pool party in Rhode Island, teenager Jeffrey Galli dove in, struck his head, and nearly drowned. Although his father, Richard, saved him, Jeffrey was paralyzed with a devastating spinal cord injury. In this book, Richard Galli offers a compelling, disarmingly honest account of the decisions and experiences confronted by all such individuals who suddenly find themselves wholly dependant on others to survive—and of the realities that must be likewise faced by their families.
A lawyer and former journalist, Galli writes with much intelligence and stark emotional intensity of life as it is really lived by quadriplegics and those who care for them. An unforgettable story about tragedy, love, and the choices we make at the brink of survival, Rescuing Jeffrey is "gut-wrenchingly candid," as Publishers Weekly observed, and "likely to arouse controversy and sharply divided reactions . . . Yet this eloquent story of heartbreak and hope is ultimately life affirming." The book will be must-reading for all students of counseling, rehabilitation, and related disciplines.
Review
"A former journalist, Galli knows that with a story this inherently powerful, less is emphatically more . . . Through a voice as plain as that of a single-reed instrument, he achieves an emotional resonance that swells with symphonic intensity . . . A huge story, unflinchingly told."—
The New York Times Book Review"A book that goes beyond even Tuesdays with Morrie to the emotional core of our very existence, making us confront our fears, our loves, and our dreams in a way we may never have before . . . This is one of those rare great books that captures the strength of the human spirit and trumpets the quiet dignity of true heroism."—The Providence Journal
"Rescuing Jeffrey brings to light some of the most compelling questions of our time concerning medical ethics, religion, and the right to die. Even better, this book portrays a bittersweet triumph of the resilient human spirit."—Boulder Weekly
Synopsis
On the 4th of July in 1998, teenager Jeffrey Galli dove into a friend's swimming pool and hit his head. His father Richard pulled him out and resuscitated him only to find that Jeffrey would be paralyzed from the neck down, be unable to breathe on his own, and be dependent on others for the rest of his life. With disarming honesty, Richard Galli confesses his determination to "rescue" Jeffrey again - this time by removing him from life support. In journal form, Galli emotionally records the progression of events entwined with the family's heartbreaking choice and the uplifting and life-affirming outcome of their decision.
About the Author
Richard Galli, a litigation lawyer and former journalist, closed his Providence law office and moved his practice home so he could better care for his son. Galli lives with his wife and two children in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Parts of
Rescuing Jeffrey were published in the Providence Journal. Jeffrey Galli graduated from high school in spring 2000.