Laughing at My Nightmare - by Shane Burcaw (Paperback)

About the Book

With acerbic wit and a hilarious voice, Burcaw describes the challenges he faces as a 21-year-old with muscular atrophy. While he talks about everyday issues that are relatable to teens, he also offers an eye-opening perspective on what it is like to have a life threatening disease.

Book Synopsis

With acerbic wit and a hilarious voice, Shane Burcaw's Laughing at My Nightmare describes the challenges he faces as a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. From awkward handshakes to having a girlfriend and everything in between, Shane handles his situation with humor and a "you-only-live-once" perspective on life. While he does talk about everyday issues that are relatable to teens, he also offers an eye-opening perspective on what it is like to have a life threatening disease.

Review Quotes

"Burcaw has spent most of his life in a wheelchair with progressively debilitating spinal muscular atrophy, but instead of soberly presenting the ups and downs of a potentially bleak existence, he pens an uplifting, laugh-out-loud memoir that calls out the absurdity of his circumstances, and the joy he finds in the everyday." --Booklist

"*Laughing at My Nightmare is an unforgettable memoir." --VOYA, STARRED REVIEW

"With snark, swagger and self-deprecation, Burcaw explains from the beginning how SMA has shaped his mission . . . With reflections camouflaged in wisecracks, Burcaw demonstrates that a little humor goes a long way." --Kirkus Reviews

"Burcaw's narrative will resonate with readers, who will laugh along with the funny stories, cringe at the awkward moments, and tear up at the emotionally charged parts. A poignant story that provides a fresh perspective on life." --School Library Journal

"*It's engaging, inspirational, and eye-opening." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

About the Author

Shane Burcaw is a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. He is currently a junior at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, studying English. Shane runs a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for muscular dystrophy research.