Once a strong, vigorous and healthy young man, Zachary wakes up one morning to find himself in excruciating pain. He is frightened and baffled, but approaches what will ultimately prove to be a long battle, with perseverance and the attitude of a fighter. After two visits to an Emergency Room, several visits to doctors, and an array of diagnostic tests, he and the medical professionals are still without an answer. Left feeling ill, weak and defenseless, Zachary navigates his personal life with the loving support of his new wife and stepdaughter. As a security professional, Zachary barely manages to work and finds that life is a daily challenge that continues to test his endurance both physically and emotionally. Still, he refuses to give up.
“The Burly Man” is not just an intimate daily journal; it is also a love story and a visual multimedia portrayal of a family man who comes up against insurmountable odds. The book contains daily journal entries that are candid and humorous, despite the circumstances. It contains poetry, illustrations, photos and the wisdom from Zachary’s earlier writings, “The Principles and Philosophy of Weishendo.” From this he quotes “Even in Darkness, There is a Light”. These are words that inspire him and keep him on his personal battle field without turning back.
For anyone who has ever been diagnosed with one of the many autoimmune disorders, “The Burly Man” is a testimony of faith and courage that offers a glimmer of hope. Life is not always easy and chronic illness is the ultimate test of our own ability to see the light within the darkness.
Reviewed by Peggy La Vake for IndieReader