Alive Day is primarily about a blind psychiatrist named Brenden and his guide dog named Nelson. Brenden lost his sight due to a civilian accident while climbing a mountain. He is encouraged by his colleague, Dr. Barnes, to take on some pro bono work in the form of newly disabled military personnel. Dr. Barnes, also a blind person, feels that Brendan can bring a sense of camaraderie to sessions with disabled veterans. It was his hope that those veterans would be more likely to open up to someone who has been in their shoes.
BRENDEN'S STRUGGLE:
"Brenden, you can't fight for your country because you went blind, but you can serve your nation by making a difference in the lives of some of these young men."
Brenden fights his conscience at first over whether to take on this work.
"Is every person with a disability obligated to get involved?"
"Do I have a responsibility to get involved with these vets?"
After much of his own therapy and the help of Nelson, his guide dog, Brendan no longer reacts very much to his disability and therefore does not feel like the vets would identify with him. Between Dr. Barnes, Brenden's wife, Brenden himself, and even Nelson, Brenden decides to take on just one case to start.
THE PATIENT:
Enter Marine Antwone Carver, freshly labelled a Paraplegic by the very clinical and low-blow neurosurgeon Dr. Craig. Dr. Craig proceeds to tell the young marine, with absolutely no heart at all, that not only is he now permanently a paraplegic, but Antwone will no longer be physically able to satisfy his wife in the bedroom. And, as if Dr. Craig just wants to rate himself lower in my book, he proceeds to hit on the wife right in front of the freshly devastated husband.
Antwone's career and his wife are his entire world, so nothing could have been worse for the young man to hear. This news, however premature it was, causes Carver to push away his wife.
Carver closes himself off from the world, becoming extremely bitter in a short amount of time. He feels that the world has abandoned him, especially the Marines. By the 2/3 point of the book, Carver has devolved to extreme resolutions and actions in order to keep from coping.
THE WIFE:
Considering how much contemporary romance I have been reading, my first thought when he pushed her away was that she would eventually move on with someone else. However, I underestimated her commitment to her husband.
While she did not know what to do at first, Antwone's wife did make the right decision in letting him ask her to come back later on. She could have barged her way back into his hospital room, demanding he accept that she was not going anywhere. She let him come back to her on his own terms and in his own time.
One of my favorite quotes was from Brendan's wife herself: "When a woman loves a man – I mean really loves him – she adapts, no matter what." That is exactly what Carver's wife did from minute one. I admired her strength and commitment to her husband
NELSON THE WONDERPUP:
I just loved Nelson in this story. As a guide dog for Brenden, Nelson has a big job - being a walking guide, a danger spotter, a best friend, and a family pet.
However, not only does Nelson do his job well, He goes above and beyond in every way. Nelson more than once saves Brenden, and even gets Carver to open up in his sessions with Brenden.
I highly recommend this book to pet lovers as well as anyone who wants a heartwarming read. Five stars!
