Bend, Don't Break :A Memoir of Endurance
Bend, Don't Break :A Memoir of Endurance
paperback
Published:
19 February, 2024
Description
‘Victory is a life well lived or a day enjoyed.’
Limerick man Frank O’Mara had the athletics career most only dream of, competing for Ireland in three Olympic Games and breaking Irish and world records. After his retirement from running, he settled in the US with his family and made his way to the top of the telecoms industry.
Then at age forty-eight, his life changed forever when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. The progression was rapid, causing severe muscle cramps, tremors, and eventually the inability to walk and at times even speak.
In this inspiring memoir, Frank recounts his battle with Parkinson’s. At first in denial, he eventually found the strength that made him successful as an athlete and in business – using determination, and humour to weather the worst phases of the disease. He learned to face each hurdle as he came to it: to bend, but not break.
One man’s life-affirming story of facing adversity with grace and courage.
Prizes
Short-listed for Sports Performance Book of the Year 2025 (UK)
More Details
| Type | Book |
|---|---|
| ISBN13 | 9781788494373 |
| ISBN10 | 1788494377 |
| Number Of Pages | 288 |
| Item Weight | 425 g |
| Product Dimensions | 155 x 228 x 21 mm |
| Publisher / Reseller | O'Brien Press Ltd |
| Format | paperback |
Media Reviews
unflinching…challenging…truly inspiring … At almost 300 pages it is a challenging read in parts, and truly inspiring in others, with O’Mara’s initial denial of the violent clutches of this disease soon surrendering to his willingness to battle on with it. It’s not without its humour
-- Ian O'Riordan, Irish TimesImagine a sports star writing an autobiography and not including a single paragraph about what is, to most, their biggest achievement. Imagine them sitting down across several years, writing out in painstaking detail, at a painstaking, pedestrian pace, the story of their life, only to deem two world titles unworthy of a mention. Frank O’Mara is different. Always has been.
-- Cathal Dennehy, Irish Examineran in-depth and often inspirational picture of a genuinely remarkable man
-- Darragh McManus, Sunday Independentthis memoir, moving and inspiring (a letter written to his seriously sick father, when he was 15, reveals a son's love as well as his desire to win), is a story of achievement, fortitude and belief
-- RTE Guidenot … the normal sporting memoir … an incredible read
-- Ireland AM’s Book Clubwhat a book this is - Jarlath Regan. I loved it - Sonia O’Sullivan
-- Irishman Running Abroad podinspiring … comes highly recommended
-- Limerick Leaderreally, really inspirational … one for everyone
-- Limerick’s Live 95’s Limerick Todayan enthralling and inspirational read
-- Irish Runner Magazinethe former middle-distance runner's story of his fight with Parkinson's disease. Though it's a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O'Mara in his battle
-- Irish Times, Malachy Clerkin’s best sports books of the yeara very good read
-- Irish Examiner, Sonia O’Sullivana story that could easily have been weighed down with sadness is, in the end, an uplifting one
-- Irish Independent