Karen Darke | Writer| International Speaker

'If You Fall'...

Karen's adventure story takes you from the brink of death to handcycling the heights of the Himalayas...to the rusty knife of a Brazilian spirit surgeon. It is a story not just of climbing and courage, but one of inner journeying and spirituality. Out of Karen's wound comes a strength to embrace the challenge and transform it into an opportunity to learn and grow from.

Karen's captivating story shines a bright light on the meaning of challenge, and on the limitless capabilities of the human spirit.

Modest and thoughtful, Karen is a highly sought after and successful speaker, whose stories inspire all those who take time to reflect on what it took to achieve them.

Synopsis

"I always thought I'd rather be dead than paralysed: One slip, one moment and everything changes..." Most of us live life in a safe zone but some individuals look over the edge. A few years ago, Karen Darke was on a rock-climbing expedition on sea cliffs in Scotland. She fell, and was paralysed. This is Karen's story about coming to terms with her lost of movement from the chest down and regaining the will to live. Out of her disability comes strength to embrace, challenge and transform it into an opportunity to learn and grow. It is also about the borderline between body and spirit. Karen is drawn into the world of faith healing and spirit surgeons in the Brazilian jungle. In testing these improbable claims she explores her own inner world and self whilst regaining her confidence. Combining wheels with wilderness, Karen escapes the city and embarks on an evermore daring series of adventures by hand-cycle, ski and kayak. Karen's story is inspiring and energizing; it will help everybody who reads it to respond positively, to overcome adversity, and to strive for their dreams.

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Reader reviews

“Thank you Karen for sharing your amazing journey with us through your book. Your strength of character and wonderful sense of humour shine brightly within the pages. Any tears I shed were quickly wiped away to make way for laughter when you recalled your adventures on the "Green Beast". I am really pleased that I bought this book. A truly inspirational read.”

M. Davies Wales)

“Life has its ups and its downs.sometimes there is just nowhere to turn,and no shoulder to cry on.have you ever felt like that in your life? at times talking with a close friend can help.sometimes you can find solace from the words in a book,and thats exactly what i found when i read "if you fall...its a new beginning",a book carefully written by karen darke.

The book begins with the terrible accident which happened to karen while rock climbing in scotland.the climbing section of the book is quite short,so if you are a none climber please do not be put off by the title.karen goes on to relate how the accident changed her life,from the hospital bed,through rehab,to journeys to brazil to hopefully find comfort from a doctor that some people would not feel comfortable with.finally,karen relates how all these experiences has made her think about that one precious item we all have,but not all use to the full...life!

karens heartfelt lifestory can only be described as a wonderful piece of litrature,that flows easily from beginning to end,a book hard to put down.karen has had the courage to open her soul in this book.to read it will give you new found respect for your own life,to try and attain the maximum from it and live life to the full.i wholeheartedly recommend karens book for everyone to read!”

edward whymper (sheffield,uk)

“ An astounding five rating can be given to this book for it is not fiction but a real live persons life story. The setting of this shining example of determination, bravery and courage should make the rest of us meer mortals realise that we can try harder, aspire to more and be gutsier and braver than we can ever imagine. The human spirit is truly amazing for when we cease to play our lesser selves and try, try and try again we can live as our greater self. A book to make you weak at the knees, truly humbled and yet somehow inspired. Wipe the tears from yor eyes and marvel at the amazing spirit which resides within us all. Hope springs eternal... and who knows what we can achieve if only we dare to try.&

B. A. Venn-lever "BeBe Ve" (Berkshire, UK)