Living as a Dead Man: Life Lessons Gained from Losing One Life to Receiving a Greater Purpose

Lester, who has lived with ALS for 20 years, opens up in this affecting, wise memoir. After being diagnosed with ALS in his late 20s, Lester was given a few years to live and was advised to enjoy the time he had left. In the opening, he details his daily struggles—among them, falling due to weak limbs in the early stages and, later, learning to live on a ventilator. Turning to the joys of his life, Lester describes becoming a husband and a father to four girls, earning his master’s degree in finance, and becoming a source of support for the ALS community. Crediting his Christian faith for getting him through his darkest days, he emphasizes the importance of having a strong spiritual mindset and being grateful for everyday blessings. In the last section, he provides advice, encouragement, and inspiration to readers and lessons learned throughout his life (such as to “give as honest and unbiased opinions as [you] can then get out of the way”), ending with lists of resources for people with ALS and for those providing care for loved ones with the disease. This is a remarkable look into a life of courage, resilience, and purpose. (Self-published)