Joy and Suffering

My Life with ALS

By: Martin J. D'Amore MD

Narrated by: Kevin F. Spalding

Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Martin D'Amore and his wife are both physicians, so when they began to notice possible ALS symptoms in Marty, they desperately looked for other causes. But after many tests and meetings with experts, Marty finally got the word, he had Lou Gehrig's disease, and the clock began to tick.

ALS robs its victims of their physical abilities, from their muscular activity, to their nervous system, and, finally, their ability to even breathe. All the while, the mind remains intact. It is a brutal, often soul-crushing disease, and yet Marty has persevered and even grown as a result of ALS. Discover how Marty's battle with ALS has led him to a greater relationship with Christ, a better understanding of himself, and, finally, to great contentment and happiness.

Whether or not you or someone you love is battling ALS, this inspiring true story of love and courage will help you find joy through your sufferings.

©2014 Martin J. D'Amore (P)2014 Martin J. D'Amore

Inspiring, Motivating, and Sad

Where does Joy and Suffering rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks very high as it demonstrates man's will to succeed in the hardest of circumstances.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marty, of course, was the reason this book came alive and the key intent of appreciating everything we have in this world was achieved through its pervading premise.

What does Kevin F. Spalding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Narration was great. It really did feel like Marty was speaking to me by casting his true inner voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to finish it in one setting, but wanted to grasp the full affect that ALS had on the main character through various sittings.

Any additional comments?

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

"Joy and Suffering" review

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

I found the story of Dr. D'Amore's physical deterioration, yet spiritual growth very moving and inspiring. Being Catholic myself I too had traveled some of the same paths/challenges as Dr. D'Amore. I was so happy that this story was abled to be shared.

A Moving Book and an Inspiration To All

JOY AND SUFFERING: MY LIFE WITH ALS was perhaps the most moving and inspirational memoir I've listened to. MARTIN J. D'AMORE, MD's life journey would be difficult and is difficult yet he learned to embrace suffering through his faith in God. This man is an inspiration to others. His stories of growing up were neat. And the fact that he recorded these stories and thoughts for his family and for all to hear is amazing.

His stories about meeting Bono while in college and of going to Lourdes were exciting. The true testament is that he learned to embrace his place in this lifetime and cement this book as a legacy and that's truly magnificent. There's something to be learned here and I highly recommend listening to this book.

KEVIN F. SPALDING did a superb job telling Martin's story. It was as if he were speaking himself. He lent his voice with dedication and spoke from the heart. I'm so glad I had an opportunity to listen to this book.

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

Gratitude In the Face of Sorrow

Where does Joy and Suffering rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Oh, boy! I can only imagine what it would be like to be diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease). This is an incredible story, as the author/narrator describes for the listener each step of the disease's destructive path upon his body and life. Nevertheless, the author accepts his circumstances with amazing dignity and an unwavering appreciation for life.

This is truly an inspiring story!

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great book beautifully told

I was very moved by Marty's story especially because it was delivered with such clarity and depth by the narrator. For anyone who is dealing with a life threatening illness or has a family member or friend going through great suffering Marty's story is both encouraging and inspiring. I highly recommend this book and most especially enjoyed listening to it. Hearing a story like this is especially impactful as you feel Marty himself is speaking to you!

Most amazing story and naration

What made the experience of listening to Joy and Suffering the most enjoyable?

The narrator brought to life this astounding story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Joy and Suffering?

As the story gets to the point when on a ventilator and confined to the wheelchair, the narrator expresses the turmoil and and heart wrench between the ease of ending it all and the benefit of his children witnessing the nobility in suffering.

Which character – as performed by Kevin F. Spalding – was your favorite?

the protagonist!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

every page/recording was moving.

WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!

What made the experience of listening to Joy and Suffering the most enjoyable?

This book gave one of the best testimonies I've ever heard, Martin was a true hero

What was one of the most memorable moments of Joy and Suffering?

The whole book was memorable but Marty's positive attitude and will to never give up was remarkable and his family and friends who stood by him thru it all. It was just a great book

Which scene was your favorite?

There was no particular scene that was a favorite the whole book was just so inspirational and humbling I loved it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

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

Poignant , thought provoking and sad

A crushing story of slow progressive physical loss, yet maintained cognition.
The big existential questions of life are center stage in this personal story of progressive loss of all those things that we see as making for a "good life". Yet faith remains.
Wonderfully read by Kevin Spaulding with a clear and soothing tone that is warm and unobtrusive, but with energy to move the story along.

Wonderful Story, Author, and Narrator!

My 63 year old sister, a substance abuse counselor for 20 years, was diagnosed with ALS about 6 weeks ago. The author, Martin J. D'Amore, who is himself a doctor and a victim of this horrible disease, found the perfect narrator for this story (told in the first person), and Mr. Spalding did a beautiful, believable job. The book gave me a lot to think about, and I will recommend it to my niece who has quickly become her mom's caretaker. I can sincerely say that the author treated his story in a surprisingly uplifting way. Not once did he frighten me with details, but told them in a way that encourages belief in a God who is in charge and who loves us through what some might look upon as a punishment.

I pray that my other 2 sisters, I, and my niece, will be able to look upon this tragic time in our lives with the optimism and grateful spirit that Dr. D'Amore has displayed. Not once did he curse, or get angry with God. His was an attitude of "why not me?" rather than "why me? "

I am about to listen to this book a second time, so that I can glean as much as possible from this beautiful man. I need his help during this devastatingly sad and frightening time of my life.

Very Moving!

Any additional comments?

This book was very moving. As Martin's illness progressed, his
appreciation of his life, his family, and God only seemed to increase.
As the normal progress of ALS brought ever increasing levels of
dependence, he seemed the very opposite of bitter. A beautiful example!
The book also had a number of great saint (and saintly) quotes, and
reminded me of one from C.S. Lewis' The Problem of Pain: "God whispers
to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our
pains.

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