Searching for Normal

Following in the tradition of creative nonfiction, Alison Neuman details her life experience from the onset of a rare and painful illness at the age of three, recounting her personal journey as she comes to terms with an ever-shifting concept of ‘normalcy.’ The disease, dermatomyositis, shaped her life in ways most could never imagine; a carefree childhood quickly morphed into a blur of ongoing hospitalizations, increasingly reduced mobility, and overwhelming fatigue and pain. But, amidst her constant battles with her health, Alison emerges as a champion. Searching for Normal will leave readers awed by Alison’s perseverance and strength of character; her story serves as a reminder that ‘normal ’lies in the eye of the beholder.