Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Mark Patinkin. Up and Running. Center Street.. 2005.

Up and Running began as a newspaper article after Mark heard about a hockey player with two artificial legs. The story proved much too long for just a single or even a series of newspaper articles. It is the story of the most horrendous thing that can happen to a parent. This is a true story!

Andrew is only six years old as the story opens. He had been outside playing with his sister and cousins less than an hour before coming down with a fever of 102 degrees. He becomes seriously ill overnight. At 10:00 a.m. the next morning, acting on a Mother’s instinct, Rebecca Bateson calls the doctor and takes him to the hospital emergency room. Little did she know that several weeks of touch and go efforts to save her son’s life would follow.

Andrew was struck down with meningococcemia, a very invasive form of Meningococcus. His blood stream was already overwhelmed with the toxins produced by these fast growing bacteria. He developed a rash that eventually turned purple as the toxins invaded his organs and skin.

The story that follows is painful to read for any parent. No one wants to think about the possibility of their child’s pending death if medical authorities are unable to find a way to stop the damage being done by this vicious bacterium. Organ after organ fails; Andrew is on life support systems for breathing, elimination of wastes, and eating.

The family struggles through all the choices to be made. Fortunately, their friends, community, and family rally round to provide needed emotional support. Learn about the faith struggles that they go through while watching their son deteriorate and eventually having to decide to let his legs be amputated in a last ditch effort to save his life.


Recommendation

Up and Running is the triumphant story of surviving against all odds. It is also hilarious when Andrew begins playing ice hockey as a double amputee. This story will bring tears to your eyes before it brings laughter at the response of other ice hockey players and coaches when they discover Andrew’s secret about his legs. God’s ability to bring triumph out of tragedy is strongly reflected in the story.

Share this book with your children, relatives and friends. It is the strongest reminder possible that God is in control even when everything goes wrong. The book is available at your local Christian bookstore or through amazon.com.