Not Fade Away

Even a darkening world can be brilliantly lit from within. Born with a rare genetic mutation called Usher Syndrome type III, Rebecca Alexander has been simultaneously losing both her sight and hearing since she was a child, and was told that she would likely be completely blind and deaf by age 30. Then, at 18, a fall from a window left her athletic body completely shattered. None of us know what we would do in the face of such devastation. What Rebecca did was rise to every challenge she faced. She was losing her vision and hearing and her body was broken, but she refused to lose her drive, her zest for life and - maybe most importantly - her sense of humor. Now, at 35, with only a sliver of sight and significantly deteriorated hearing, she is a psychotherapist with two masters' degrees from Columbia University, and an athlete who teaches spin classes and regularly competes in extreme endurance races. She greets every day as if it were a gift, with boundless energy, innate curiosity, and a strength of spirit that have led her to places we can't imagine. In Not Fade Away, Rebecca tells her extraordinary story, by turns harrowing, funny and inspiring. She meditates on what she's lost - from the sound of a whisper to seeing a sky full of stars, and what she's found in return - an exquisite sense of intimacy with those she is closest to, a love of silence, a profound gratitude for everything she still has, and a joy in simple pleasures that most of us forget to notice. Not Fade Awayis both a memoir of the senses and a unique look at the obstacles we all face - physical, psychological, and philosophical - exploring the extraordinary powers of memory, love, and perseverance. It is a gripping story, an offering of hope and motivation, and an exquisite reminder to live each day to its fullest. 'A remarkable story of resilience and heart, Not Fade Awayfollows Rebecca Alexander as she must navigate the world cursed with a rare genetic disorder that will one day rob her of both sight and hearing. Bereft of self-pity, funny, and bursting with honesty, Not Fade Awaywill get its hooks in you. I promise that by the end of her story, you will fall just as in love with Rebecca as I have.' Susannah Cahalan,New York Timesbestselling author of Brain on Fire 'There is a saying that goes - you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Rebecca Alexander's indomitable spirit spills out on to the pages of this incredible memoir. She will lift you up . . . the way she did for me.' Hoda Kotb, New York Times bestselling author of Ten Years Laterand Hoda, and Emmy-award-winning anchor of Today 'Her eyes and ears may be declining, but Rebecca's sense of self is sharply focused and profoundly tuned. By sharing her life, she has enriched mine and will yours, too. I love this woman.' Meredith Vieira, journalist and Emmy Award-winning television host