Five Years to Live

By: Frank Zaccari

Narrated by: Christopher DoQui

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

It is the phone call every person lives in fear of receiving. There has been an accident and your loved one is paralyzed. A spinal cord injury is the single most devastating and life altering event. Based on a true story, Michael and Donna were young, successful, in love and planning their life together. That life was radically changed by a tragic car accident. Now a wheelchair user as a quadriplegic, with limited movement, constant infections and multiple surgeries, doctors projected Michael's best case life expectancy to be five years. See how this young man battles through his injury and spends his five years making a lasting impact on hundreds of people. It will make you realize what can be accomplished when a person does not let circumstances dictate their life.

©2012 Frank Zaccari (P)2018 Im Hearing Stories

Inspirational Story

Five Years to Live is a nicely written story about a young man with a very promising future. It also talks of a couple, so much in love but was forced by circumstances to go their separate ways.
The book also tells about the power of determination, perseverance and a solid support group.
It is inspirational in such a way that it makes you realize that no matter how hard and harsh you think life is, you can always turn things around and make it work in your favor.
Good story done with equally good narration.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Five Years to Live is a MUST listen!

Wow! I just finished listening to Five Years to Live and I didn’t want to stop! The author takes you on a journey from Michael’s horrific accident through his determination to live, and finally to his ultimate triumph. Micheal’s life and story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. His life is a true testament to what the human spirit can accomplish when we have the love, dedication and support of our loved ones.

Five Years to Live is a love story; a story about family and faith. When Michael looks back on his life, well lived, you will get shivers at his perspective. In the face of terrible tragedy, you remain filled with hope.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Hero's Tale

Five Years to Live is based on a true story and one similar to one that my family has experienced. Frank Zaccari is right - that phone call is one that no one ever expects or wants to get, but one that changes your life forever. I've read the book several times and it never fails to bring chills. Listening to the audiobook brought not only chills but tears. (I've never listened to an audiobook before, but plan on doing so from now on!) . Frank captured and related the story of an individual with a spinal cord injury beautifully. He also relates the impact that it has on every aspect of the person's life. Not only does it impact the person involved, but also their family and friends. And like in Michael's case, the individual has to take the lead. There is no one in this world that I respect and admire as much as I do the real life "Michael." He has triumphed over his injury, he leads an incredible life of service to others, he has found a beautiful love, and he leads the way for my son - another Michael.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing story of survival

I was completely mesmerized by Mr. Zaccari’s narrative of one mans battle against insurmountable odds. I found myself rooting for this quad to beat the Five Years he was given to live.
Frank Zaccari does a great job making the reader feel like they are a part of this fun loving Italian family. The interaction between sisters, brothers and parents is captivating and heart warming.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever felt that the odds were against them in life!

INSPIRATIONAL!

I really enjoyed it. This story is an inspiration to us all! I love that this story can inspire a person to be better. The narration was great and kept me entertained. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

More inspirational than any self help book!

I loved this book and how clearly it shows the struggles of dealing with a life altering event and a disability from various perspectives.

It also showed how important it is to be surrounded by family and people who care when you are facing adversity.

Michael’s tenacity and ability to remain positive through his life struggles was admirable.

Touching, Emotional Read

This book was so amazing and the fact that it is non-fiction just makes me appreciate the journey of life and what it brings. The story begins as Michael and his girlfriend are considering getting married, as Michael had just received a job offer with higher pay and benefits, which would require them to move. As he is traveling for the current job, he is in accident off of Jersey turnpike with a car that stalled or left abandoned (not sure which) on a icy day. The accident changes Michael's life forever, of which most folks would say, in a bad way, but I think Michael has different thoughts. The accident leaves him as a quad and the doctors share with him the news that most folks with the spinal cord injury that he has lives an average of 5 years (hence the name of the book). However, with Michael determination he is not going to let the doctors win. The story walks you through is world and the barriers that had to be overtaken to make him who the man he is today. Such a great inspiration!!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Nice Inspiring Story

Interesting story of hope and determination.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Inspirational

Inspirational and very well written. Takes you through a journey of a couples life tragically changed by circumstances that would cause most to give up. Forces one to realize that the quality of your life is determined by your outlook. When you feel determined to succeed in spite of tragedy...

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

5 years to live

Wow, what an amazing story of Michael's life. It started off with such hope in what was to come for both Michael and Donna, then it took a turn with heartbreaking results and it was truly amazing to see how far he's come through his years. There were a couple parts that made me tear up a bit, but at the end of the day - I think we all could take some pointers from Michael on how to live and never give up.
I was provided this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Do your worst, for I will do mine.

An uplifting account of Michael who, just as his life seemed perfect with a fiancee he loved and a work promotion offer, instead find himself thrust into an ongoing morass of pain and paralysis with a prognosis of a five year life expectation after his neck was broken. Months of hospitalization, infection and operations left him determined to make the most of the time he had left. It is also the story of his girlfriend, Donna, and of Michael's large Italian American family, and others touched on the way.

This is very much a book celebrating life and how it can change in an instant, but, though different, still should be lived to the fullest it can be. And the importance of other people. It is a true story, not a novel, but reads easily apart from a section towards the end of the book which becomes somewhat preachy. The road to partial recovery is detailed and difficult but conveyed with as gentle a touch as is possible whilst still explaining the dire difficulties involved. Similarly, Christopher DoQui's narration is upbeat and clearly follows the emotion of the text. The book is made more poignant for this reader since a friend died a few years ago who was himself quadriplegic, having broken his neck diving into a river some fifteen years before Michael's accident. The courage he displayed was phenomenal during the forty plus difficult years which came after.

This book was obviously written with love and the subject, Michael, is a true hero. This book deserves to be widely read: there is a lot of happiness here.