Autobiography of an Allergic/Asthmatic Survivor

In Autobiography of an Allergic/Asthmatic Survivor, the early life of Sara Marie Jones is shared with her readers. Sara Marie's life depicts a journey from sickness to wellness and recognition of "all of the gray areas in between." Though some minor events and occasional later in life insight may be juxtaposed simply to fit certain material in suitable places; the story is basically true.

As the X-Files television program states, "The truth is out there." In this instance, the truth is self-evident within. While Sara Marie does not propose to know about the reality of little ETs, she knows very well that allergies and asthmatic symptoms exist and are not merely figments of her imagination. Not only are symptoms real, but the afflictions maim, disable and kill. Memories and flashbacks of sickness, even setbacks, haunt her as she visits her grandmother on weekends and throughout the story. She moves her life along from elementary school age to junior high and then to her high school years revealing what it was like to deal with her allergies and lung disease which included frightening attacks and often feeling different and alienated.

After becoming severely ill due to her "ironic detrimental" decision to work as a hairdresser, she reaches rock-bottom and realizes that her entire life needs to change. With her husband, she moves to Denver, Colorado, and continues her exploration and "passion for learning about how to be well." Eventually Sara Marie experiences new realms of possibility and wellness. Especially, she is proud of an exhilarating solitary bicycle tour along the Pacific Coast from Cannon Beach, Oregon to her destination, San Francisco, California.

In this story and in her life, Sara Marie truly does break through and break free of many of her once real and feared limitations. As she says, "I've run my marathon, conquered my own fear and pain." This book, which reveals, frankly and poignantly, what it's like to live with allergies and asthma, offers hope, promise and the probability that other victims possess the power within to educate themselves, adapt and also transcend from victim to "survivor." When this happens, higher levels of well-being and an improved quality of life will be their dream come true, too.