Introduction - JAMES MARTIN, Ph.D. Professor in Special Education, University of Oklahoma

Words from the Publisher AuthorHouse, "Mr. Pratz uses the acronym HAPPY to highlight the Hopes, Attitudes, People, Places, and the You in each of the inspirational life stories including his own. Motivational and historical figures such as Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, Carl Brashear, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bob Dole, Bruce Jenner, Erik Weihenmayer, Dennis Byrd, Jim Stovall, Nate Waters, Rosemary Roberson, Kristy Long, and Charles Schusterman, beckon us to live life with purpose and determination. The author desires that you will come away from this book with a:

• renewed Hope,
• can-do positive Attitude,
• recognition of the key People in your life,
• knowledge of the Place you want to be and finding it,
• realization that You can have a purposeful life.

"Amazing Achievers reminds us, when life throws a curve ball, never give up and believe that anything is possible!" ~Senator Bob Dole

"There is much truth in these stories of these men and women who refused to allow themselves to become victims and chose instead to be heroes" ~David L. Boren, President of the University of Oklahoma, Former U.S. Senator & Governor of Oklahoma

"Amazing Achievers truly inspires and gives hope to all those who have faced adversity and have had the courage to overcome...this book is a must read." ~Jim Stovall, President of the Narrative Television Network

"The uplifting theme of this book will subtlety cause you to think about your goals, plans, and how you adjust to changing circumstances." ~James Martin, Ph.D., Zarrow Endowed Professor in Special Education at the University of Oklahoma

"When reading the author's adversity plus the accounts of all others, readers can only be swayed to believe that adversity should hold no one from achieving success." ~Writer's Digest

At the end of each story, there are application theory questions for the reader to use. Amazing Achievers makes a great text book to be used in the classroom as a tool to encourage students to overcome their adversities and maintain a renewed hope, as well as, a never give up attitude to achieve their goals in life.

"I found Amazing Achievers to be a book everyone should read. When I started reading it, I couldnąt put it down. I read the entire book the night I received it. I enjoyed reading about the characters in the book and how they overcame their disabilities." ~ College Student, Liberal Arts Class on Self-Determination

"In the last 3 years, I have tried to convince myself that teaching or counseling would be just as good and that I would make a new dream. That road has been difficult, and just when I think I have myself convinced, I begin the readings for your course. The more I read the more I questioned my own "place". I was not on the path to amazing achievement because I was pushing my one true desire away out of fear. I do not have any of the disabilities that those amazing people had to cope with. I have access to education, I am not blind or deaf, as a matter of fact I don't have any physical disability standing in my way. What I have done is let fear be the deciding factor of my own destiny. No longer."
~ Student, On-Line Class

"…Bruce Jenner and Jim Stovall - Both of these men overcame disabilities to achieve great things. Things most people wouldnąt have attempted and things others would have never assumed they would achieve. While I do not have a disability, this book has motivated me that no matter what goals I set for myself, with hard work and determination I can achieve great things too." ~ College Student

Rodney Bryan Pratz was inspired to write this book from his personal experience with a disability from childhood. After being diagnosed with dyslexia, he was told he would never graduate from high school or college. Today he has a degree in international business and is working in the Midwest.

Mr. Pratz along with his co-founder Amazing Achiever Kristy Long formed The DREAM Institute, an organization dedicated to enriching and increasing the success of the college experience of students with disabilities through scholastic awards and mentorship. He is a motivational speaker to educators, students, classes, and organizations.