Born in a small South African town with four older brothers, Janet Murray was a typical girl with the usual childhood illnesses until a strange disease slowly stripped away her strength and mobility. Now limited to using her right arm and hands, Janet has written a candid first-person account of her life, tracing the long journey to understanding and acceptance.

Her unusual and twisted trek began with the early death of her father. Forced to struggle to make ends meet, Janet's mother became overbearing and controlling. As a result, Janet moved out of her home at 17, the same year she was misdiagnosed with a muscle disorder. That would initiate a 30-year search through alternative and standard medicine to find a proper diagnosis.

Planning to become a lawyer, she had to give up that idea and became a legal secretary as her physical abilities slowly declined. Complicating matters, on a date, she was raped.

In her late teens, she met and later married Lebrandt, the son of a wealthy family. Less than two years later, he accidentally shot and killed himself. Barely recovered from that, Janet met Neil, who had developed alternative medicine techniques. They went on several trips around southern Africa and as far away as Thailand, funded by insurance money paid after the death of her first husband.

When the money ran out, Neil followed.

Then, her mother began exposing family secrets.

Doctors, too, failed to help her, save for one.

Janet finally met a doctor who diagnosed tick bite infections that produced symptoms similar to Lyme disease. Her illness began in infancy, with symptoms appearing in early childhood. Appropriately treated, she might have suffered no consequences. Now, in her 50s, it was too late. She was consigned to a wheelchair and the need for constant assistance.

Through all the hardship and pain, Janet refused to give up and now willingly shares her life story to encourage others who suffer from illness or injury. And non-disabled people who believe their challenges are too tough to overcome.

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