Overcoming All Odds

Overcoming the Odds looks closely at the lives of an ethnically diverse group of 505 men and women who were born in 1955 on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and who have been monitored from the prenatal period through early adulthood by psychologists, pediatricians, public health professionals, and social workers. Werner and Smith trace the impact of a variety of biological and psycho-social risk factors and stressful events on the development of these individuals, most of whose parents did not graduate from high school and worked as semiskilled or unskilled laborers. Incorporating vivid case study accounts with statistical analysis, the authors focus on both the vulnerability and the resilience of those who overcame great odds to grow into competent and caring adults. They trace the recovery process through which most of the troubled adolescents in the cohort—those with histories of delinquency, teenage pregnancy, and mental health problems—emerged with improved prospects in their twenties and early thirties. Identifying both the self-righting tendencies that enable high risk children later to adapt successfully to work, marriage, and parenthood, and the conditions under which professional and volunteer care is most beneficial, Werner and Smith offer concrete suggestions for effective intervention policies.

It had been years since I had seen any of the children with whom I had grown up. When I left the children's home, I promised myself that I would have nothing to do with them, I was sure that my only chance of living a good life would be to put the past behind me, even though that meant saying goodbye to some of the people I loved the most - as well as the ones I hated...it turned out that six of us had died, several by slow suicide in the form of heroin abuse, and at least two by faster means. When two police officers arrived out of the blue at Paul Connolly's door, he learned the shocking news that, out of the eight children with whom he shared a dormitory in care, only two were still alive. The revelation unearthed painful memories of a childhood that, until this point, Paul had tried desperately to put behind him. Abandoned at two weeks old, Paul came of age in the infamous St Leonards's Children's Home in East London. The children there were routinely abused, often over the course of many years. All were underfed and unloved and told that they would amount to nothing. Angry and frustrated, Paul channelled his rage into boxing - but when an accident shattered his ambition to turn professional, he found his true calling and became a successful trainer, even working as a consultant on the pilot of a top model's fitness video. Paul has finally found peace and fulfilment beyond anyhing he could have imagined all those years ago. He has found happiness with his wife and children and now helps to heal broken bodies, build confidence and transform lives - but he will never forget his past and the unnecessary victims of broken society...

For Mahisha Dellinger, life in the rough streets of Sacramento, California was paving the way for a lifetime of poverty, despair and dysfunction. But while criminals ran rampant, gangs took over, and her own relatives chose drugs over dreams, Mahisha knew she was destined for something greater. Rewriting her story Determined to write a different ending to her story, Mahisha set out to alter her destiny, through college and hard work. But her dreams were bigger than just a 9-5 job and she worked tirelessly to pursue her passion of owning her own hair care business. That dedication and commitment has paid off as Mahisha's company, CURLS LLC, is one of the leading natural hair care companies in the country. Against All Odds chronicles Mahisha's journey from the projects to the penthouse, how she overcame an impoverished beginning to lead a life of wealth, privilege and success....doing a job she loves. Complete with success tips to process in your own life, Against All Odds will show you how to turn your tragedy into triumph, no matter what the odds.

Tyree's book is an inspirational story of setbacks and how to persevere to overcome them. In the exciting and highly competitive field of track and field, Tyree was able to stand out as a dedicated athlete who always stood for the right.

The common thread among the 18 stories in Against the Odds is the way people can resourcefully overcome obstacles to realize their ambitions and dreams. The “odds” are varied in these skillfully written tales. An obstacle to one’s success or happiness may lie in one’s own character or the prejudice of someone else. A potential employer may cast a suspicious eye on an individual’s background. A guardian seems reluctant to sponsor any further education for his charge. Other characters here are looking as much for increased self-respect as financial reward or better training. Set in locales as varied as Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island, the stories of Against the Odds are peopled with orphans, teachers, actors, struggling single-parent families, intransigent relatives. It’s a world, though distant from our own, where Montgomery’s characters have problems similar to ours, and their methods of solving them are not very different from what we would try.

Don't let the obstacles in your life discourage you from accomplishing your goals! In Success Against All Odds, you'll discover the secrets behind finding inspiration and success in your life and career. This simple, easy-to-implement guide will teach you how to: Set positive intentions that inspire you every day so your past does not determine your future; Create alternatives, because the power to change our lives lies within each of us, as does the power to realize our dreams; and Find and secure your ideal career using five proven steps. Plus useful tips and practical advice at the end of every chapter to put these practices into motion. This is a great time to begin a more successful life. Why not start now?

One of America’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, John H. Johnson rose from the welfare rolls of the Depression to become the most successful Black businessman in American history; the founder of Ebony, Jet, and EM magazines; and a member of the Forbes 400. Like the man himself, this autobiography is brash, inspirational, and truly unforgettable.

In Surviving Against All Odds, Nicole Quiroz presents an intimate and personal account of her life story. From being raised in an abusive household and moving through detention centers and group homes, to falling in with regrettable company, dealing with addiction, struggling to overcome marital obstacles, and more, this book explores the moving testimony of one young woman's perseverance and the transformative power of God's love. Nicole is a dedicated wife and mother to two growing children. She frequently writes poetry and enjoys spending time in her garden. Nicole's faith in God has sustained her during her fight to find freedom from her past. Throughout her life it has been on her heart to help others. She hopes to shine a light on the dark things of this world. Showing that there can be healing through faith in God.

If you were given a second chance at life, what would you do with it?Kevin Parker got that chance when he nearly died from a drug overdose, losing his leg in the ordeal. He made the decision to fight back against addiction, beginning a spiritual journey of self-development. Along the way, he became a coach and a public speaker to inspire others to overcome their own struggles.In Winning Against All Odds, you will discover the secret to unlocking the true warrior within: If you can turn your biggest weakness into your greatest strength, you will become truly unstoppable.