Must read: Out of Nowhere
As I stopped to get gas the other day, a truck pulled away with a rowboat hanging out the back.
A week ago, I wouldn’t have noticed it, much less felt rising anger and the desire to chase him down and lecture him about breaking the law, or even report him to the police for doing so.
A week ago, I hadn’t read Out of Nowhere.
Every once in awhile, a subject comes up that is so compelling I have to write about it even if it doesn’t fit exactly with the purpose of this blog. Out of Nowhere raises such a subject.
It’s the story of a young woman, Maria Federici, and how her life was shattered when an unsecured object crashed through her car’s windshield and into her face, destroying it and leaving her blind. Her injuries initially were thought to be incompatible with life, but miraculously, she survived.
It also is the story of her mother, Robin Abel, co-author of the book, and how she cared for her daughter through the traumatic early days, then for years as Maria’s return to life moved forward literally inch by inch. Robin then went on to work with governments to change road safety laws to address this overlooked, but terrifying “accident,” that happens far more often than we might realize.
Out of Nowhere is a book you must read if own a pick up truck and carry loads. Or if you ever rent a trailer to move items. Or if you drive.
Reading and acting on its message might just save your life or the life of someone else. Most importantly, when you drive, secure your loads.
If you’re a survivor of an unsecured load incident, please contact Robin and help her pass federal legislation OutofNowhereTheBook.com
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.
