Should've Been Dead

Lessons from a Crack Addict Who Broke Free

By: Sweta Patel, Rory Londer

Narrated by: Mark Garkusha, Samantha Sayah

An example of how, at any point, we each have the power to say, "This is not how the story ends." And Rory proves it.

“Just to warn you, he swears. A lot.”

I prepped my high school class for tomorrow’s speaker.

“He had a crack addiction, was living on the streets, and ended up buying the same laundromat he used to rest in. He turned it into a million-dollar business.”

“What?!! No way! How’d he do that?”

“You’ll have to wait for his answer.”

After seventeen years of chasing after crack cocaine, Rory Londer was crushed by failure. He had loving parents and was on honor roll lists, but addiction is a switch that can flip inside anyone. He had eaten food from the trash bin and starved in ten-degree weather, trying to collect quarters for one more hit. Now he’s a millionaire, but this story is not a rags-to-riches tale. It’s about emerging from the shadows of guilt and shame.

This collection of twelve lessons from Rory’s life is a guide to feeling like a disappointment, finding yourself, and then fighting for the life you want. High school teacher Sweta Patel interviewed Rory over two years to capture how building connections with others saved him. And when she brought his techniques to the classroom to connect with the hard-to-reach student, it was clear, his lessons aren’t for the addict alone

©2023 BookSplash Publishing LLC (P)2024 BookSplash Publishing LLC

Perseverance!

What an inspiration for others. Really tells the fight of an addict and advice for everyone.

Powerful Story

Our family listened to this book on vacation and we all loved it. Everything from heartbreak to hope, despair to dreams. It took us longer than the story to read because we often paused to discuss our thoughts and experiences in response. We walked away with a broader life view from this book.

Thanks you Rory for sharing your story, and Sweta for bringing it to us.

Raw and honest

This book was so real. I didn’t want it to end! It was honest and the emotions could be felt.

Strength to Survive

Rory is an inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction and to help others better understand behavior of addicts & homeless people. They are people and need to be treated that way because not all can control their behavior at times. He is proof that with desire and opportunities' some can get through those difficult times and be successful even after 15 years. I have heard Rory speak twice and he is a true inspiration! The author did a wonderful jjob sharing his storyboard how he has impacted her life as well.

Incredible Story about Overcoming Obstacles

I loved listening to the audiobook and felt the narrators did a fantastic job. I really felt like the narrators were right there with me telling this story. I was truly moved by this book and have listened to it 3 times now. How amazing is it for someone that has never written a book to create this experience for readers and listeners! 5 Stars+