Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong- Virtual Website
By Fred Gutierrez, Rich O’Brien, and Linda Falter
"This is one of the most inspirational golf stories I have seen in my forty years in journalism. I wanted to meet them...the rest of Fred’s golfing buddies...the pastor…their acupuncturist… and a doctor or two. But mostly I wanted to play a round of golf with the two of them, walking 18 holes. Learning about Fred convinced me that I’ve been babying myself by clinging to the belief that my MS makes it impossible to walk 18 holes. I was left with the feeling, if Fred can do it, so can I."
-Al Tays, Assistant Managing Editor of GolfChannel.com and former Editor of Golf World Magazine
About the Book
Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong; A Shot at Hope from Life's Deepest Rough
"Doctors thought his bullet-pierced brain, paralysis, and crippling past would define him. Instead, they never stop shouting to the world that Fred Gutierrez is an overcomer....."
16 1/2 years of being paralyzed on his entire left from the top of his head to the bottom of his foot, the partially paralyzed golfer walked 36 holes in order to give glory to God.
Link to Amazon to order the book
About the Book
Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong; A Shot at Hope from Life's Deepest Rough
"Doctors thought his bullet-pierced brain, paralysis, and crippling past would define him. Instead, they never stop shouting to the world that Fred Gutierrez is an overcomer....."
Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong; A Shot at Hope from Life's Deepest Rough is the astounding story of one man's defiance of his left-side paralysis, and the friend who coached him all the way to a one-armed golf marathon for the glory of God. Rich O’Brien is a former college golf coach who is filled with boundless optimism after a miraculous recovery from multiple catastrophic injuries. But Rich’s victorious return to golf has been fueled by the faithful prayers of a disabled veteran he barely knows—Fred Gutierrez. When Rich agrees to coach Fred in achieving a dream to play one-armed golf, a fresh hope drives Fred to harness an iron resolve he never knew he possessed. Along the tortuous path to his goal, Fred’s life-long battle with a pain far greater than his physical disability comes to light.
Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong combines near-death experiences, staggering golf comebacks, and life-changing miracles with a frank look at a cross-section of American life we might prefer to ignore. Inspirational stories may abound, but few take the risk of honestly addressing such topics as PTSD, forgiveness after sexual assault, parental abuse, or bipolar disorder. Fred Gutierrez knows all too well that sympathetic silence can do precious little to bring about change. Thankfully, his friend and mentor, Rich O'Brien, offers Fred much more: himself. The result is a strength and an impact far greater than either could have imagined. Fred and Rich are not glamorized Hollywood heroes, but instead are two of those humble souls who quietly pack a payload of hope and courage. Their story is a rare gift.
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About the Authors
Fred Gutierrez spent his early years in Willard, New Mexico, before escaping a hostile home environment through foster care. At seventeen he joined the United States Navy and served honorably from 1974 to 1978, achieving the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer as well as being designated ship’s emergency diver and ship’s heavy. In civilian life Fred worked for ten years at General Dynamics, where he led a team that built engines for super tankers. In 1996, a catastrophic injury left him paralyzed on the left side of his body. After a long struggle to be able to reenter the workforce, Fred eventually began a life-changing journey to master one-armed golf. To connect to Fred send a Linkedin invitation to Fred Gutierrez (Partially Paralyzed Golfer).
Rich O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Miami with a B.A. in Psychology and Exercise Science, where his honors thesis was on the performance enhancement techniques utilized by various ability level golfer and experience as a scratch golfer set the stage for a career focus in golf instruction. After three years as an assistant coach at UM, he became Head Golf Coach at Barry University. There he laid the foundation for a program that would eventually become one of the best in Division II golf. Rich has enjoyed teaching the game he loves to hundreds of players, including a number of touring golf professionals. A partially paralyzed golfer named Fred Gutierrez, however, presented Rich with the most unique coaching challenges he has ever faced. In addition to his instructional work on the golf course, Rich writes an inspirational golf column for Charleston Golf News. To connect to Rich send a Linkedin invitation to Rich O'Brien (Golf Writer).
Linda Falter is a 1984 graduate of Princeton University with a B.A. in Religion and insatiable love of writing. She spent several years in West Africa with a Christian NGO, and although one might correctly assume that this was a fabulous source of writing material, her greatest insights on the human condition came in the wilderness of motherhood. Linda has presented her inspirational essays to prison and women’s ministry groups and regularly authors program notes for the Singers of Summerville. In addition, she has been published in The Positive Community magazine (“Prison Ministry in Reverse: Lessons from the Inside” Winter, 2013), and Christianity Today (“A Beautiful Anger,” April, 2011). Subsequent to its publication, “A Beautiful Anger” was selected to be developed as a Christianity Today Bible Study, entitled “The Beautiful Anger of God.”
Note: The book was a collaborative effort between Fred Gutierrez, Linda Falter and I. As the narrator of the story, I often get credit when it needs to be shared with the other two members of our team that poured their heart and soul into book and made our story memorable. A huge thank you goes out to Fred Gutierrez for his remarkable courage to share his story. Likewise, Linda’s deep editing helped take a tremendous story and make it very memorable.
Endorsements
The book is receiving wonderful endorsements from Christian reviewers:
Deal Hudson (publisher and editor of The Christian Review; author)
I want to congratulate the authors of Half-Paralyzed, Twice Strong for having the courage to be totally honest. Too often, Christians authors pull back from sharing the total darkness and unbearable suffering that lead persons towards self-destructive acts and even suicide itself. But, frankly, this is a place many people are, or have been, and they don't need their message sugar-coated. The story of Rich O'Brien and Fred Gutierrez is nothing like that -- brought together providentially, both literally breaking under the burden of misfortune and sin, they discover in a game they both love, golf, the means towards recovering their faith in life's fundamental purpose. This book, I predict, will help in the transformation of many lives. Congratulations!
David Cook (Sport Psychologist & best selling author)
I am hearing good stories about how the movie Seven Days in Utopia is helping your game and your life. This fills me with joy and gladness. The LORD has used this film in mighty ways, yours is one of the best. It has been my privilege to watch your amazing journey from afar.
Brian Burton (Pastor Summerbrook Community Church)
We may think it rare to find walking miracles among us, but I think what may be more rare are those who work so hard as Fred and Rich to extend hope to others through the miracles they have experienced. Knowing them both, seeing their story lived out over the years, and watching how the impact of their journey has continued to grow, they are inspiring hope for many who find themselves in the deepest rough.
Cheryl Hart (former Olympic runner, Sport Psychologist & author)
“Road Kill,” Iron-poisoning,” and “Gator-bait.” Misfits. Definitely not fit for the golf scene. But there they were---an unlikely trio, challenging each other to rise above their circumstances. One a former golf pro who “died” after ejection from a cart to the path, another half- paralyzed from a self-inflicted bullet to the head, along with a one-armed swinger (an alligator got away with the other).
Rich O’Brien is an extraordinary storyteller. His raw, painfully honest narration holds us spellbound as their broken lives are woven together for a higher purpose. This “Master-full” story unfolds to reveal a divine tapestry of faith, friendship, and resiliency.
Mayor Bill Collins & Proclamation
This resolution serves as a token of the esteem and high regard held by family, friends and the Town of Summerville. We are proud of your achievements and you are an inspiration to us all.
The book has also received wonderful endorsements from golf reviewers:
Al Tays (Assistant Managing Editor for the Golf Channel)
This is one of the most inspirational golf stories I have seen in my forty years in journalism. I wanted to meet them...the rest of Fred’s golfing buddies...the pastor…their acupuncturist… and a doctor or two. But mostly I wanted to play a round of golf with the two of them, walking 18 holes. Learning about Fred convinced me that I’ve been babying myself by clinging to the belief that my MS makes it impossible to walk 18 holes. I was left with the feeling, if Fred can do it, so I.
Judy Alvarez (PGA/LPGA Master Professional and Author of Broken Tees and Mended Hearts; A Life's Journey in Serving Wounded Warriors and Injured Spirits)
A touching, first hand account of why the game of golf is so beneficial to our military and anyone dealing with an injury. A good read.
Patrick Pinkart (Occupational Therapists & Quadriplegic)
In his well-written book, “Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong", Rich O'Brien demonstrates his expertise as a mental coach, golf instructor, and most evidently as a quintessential humanist. He greets the reader with palpable honesty and truth on every page. As an author, Rich has the unique skill of drawing his audience in, and capably holding them. Readers who are eager to gain wisdom from a master on the subject of a life well-lived are well-rewarded. We get the opportunity through his story-telling, to live vicarious journeys. A central figure in O'Brien's book is Fred Gutierrez. Rich brings Fred's amazing story/journey to life on the pages. Fred's story is one of recovery against seemingly overwhelming odds. Fred had been given grim early prognoses for recovery from medical 'experts'. Known by many as the 'Partially Paralyzed Golfer', remarkably he now scores in the 80's for a round of 18 holes. And he walks the course, sometimes walking 36 holes despite partial paralysis!
In this uplifting book, Rich explores the potential each person has to discover miraculous inner strength, while trusting a greater power will step in and help when asked. For 29 years I personally have adjusted to living life with effects from a cervical spinal cord injury. For 20 years as an Occupational Therapist, I have been privileged to have worked with hundreds of 'stroke survivors' trying to help them make/regain abilities affected by stroke. I've seen real challenges life can bring. Rich and Fred were handed lemons and they made tasty lemonade, proving that, yes, bad things happen, but attitude is everything. I commend them for their courage and being living examples that anything is possible, helping people believe in themselves again. I highly recommend this compelling book.
Bob Rotella (Sport Psychologist & best selling author)
Rich sounds like a very "special" teacher who has helped a very "special" student. I wish you many happy days on the course.
Mr. Bufort Blanton (PGA Professional & owner of Summerville CC)
When I first met him I wouldn’t have thought he could make it nine holes and look what he’s doing now. He is a true inspiration to all our members. For him to be playing the caliber of golf he does is inspiring and he has such a great outlook on life. He always has a smile on his face and you can tell he is enjoying life.
In the News; Here is a collection of stories about Fred Gutierrez and Rich O'Brien
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Discussion Questions for Group/Personal Reflection (page 150)
Chapter 1: As humans, we recoil at the idea of encountering God at our worst. Should we? Why or why not? How does Psalm 139 shed light on this question?
Chapter 2: What part does honesty play in coming to God? What part does it play in bringing others to Him? In being a good spiritual mentor?
Chapter 3: Have you ever struggled to forgive? Should we “forgive and forget” or “forgive and give it over to God”? Is forgiveness a moment in time, a daily path, or both?
Chapter 4: What do you do when you hear pronouncements over your life that don’t line up with the promises of God? What if everything you see around you seems to line up with the negative view?
Chapter 5: What is your life’s passion? What steps can you take that will allow God to cultivate it fully?
Chapter 6: In what ways do you identify with this thought from the chapter: “ I had more to lose before I would look up?” How does this relate to the parable of Jerusalem known as “The Prodigal Son?
Chapter 7: Consider this phrase: “When you are waking up every day facing a huge mountain, you need a powerful motivator not to quit.” What is your mountain? Your motivator? Are you struggling not to quit?
Chapter 8: Rich’s frozen shoulder was a picture of how difficult it can be to overcome scars, though he eventually accepted this painful experience as a training tool for his life and game. How do the scars of life’s failures train us? What happens if we refuse to accept the lessons/discipline they offer us? Are you facing this choice?
Chapter 9: Do you know someone who struggles with a prescription painkiller or other addiction? Based on the chapter, what advice would you give them? If you have been there yourself, are you willing to come forward in order to bring them hope?
Chapter 10: Why do you think Rich chooses to celebrate the anniversary of his injury? Is it for his own benefit or the benefit of others? Are you comfortable sharing God’s work in your own life? Do you think if Rich had not been in the habit of sharing his story that Fred would have asked his “million dollar question”?
Chapter 11: Has someone in your life believed in you? What effect has that had on your dreams? Is there someone you feel you should be encouraging more consistently? Could you offer practical help in any way?
Chapter 12: This chapter discusses the difficulty of being “written off” after extended disability. It also begins with Jesus’ admonition to ask, seek, and knock on the door of heaven. Is there an area in your life where you have written yourself off- where you have given up on asking, seeking, knocking? When Fred signed up for the mission trip, it may have raised some eyebrows. Is God calling you to a similar step of faith?
Chapter 13:A portion of the chapter states, “My whole life history, the good and the bad, had prepared me for this.” Do you agree that bad events in life can prepare you for good- if so, how? Do you see this principle at work in Fred’s life as well as Rich’s? Do you see it reflected in the life of Paul, Peter, or other biblical characters?
Chapter 14: Perseverance in pursuing skill and knowledge is a major theme of this chapter, as well as being willing to tackle the uncomfortable or unfamiliar (like speaking in front of a camera). How can we maintain a balanced perspective between working hard and trusting/waiting on God?
Chapter 15: Fred said, “ Your greatest hope is your relationship with God; keep holding onto His hand. Don’t ever give up.” In your own words, how would you describe your greatest gift? How does the Scripture broaden our understanding of hope.
Chapter 16: Do you have hopes for your own unfinished story? Do your hopes include seeing “rescues in an endless cycle”? Do you see yourself as “rescued” or as a “rescuer”?