The One Winged Phoenix: A True Story of a Young Girl with One Arm and a Fighting Spirit

by Sylvia Larsen, Kristianna Bertelsen (Editor)

Overview

The One Winged Phoenix is an inspiring story of resiliency, determination, and triumph by a young girl over multiple hardships. At the age of 10 Sylvia was rocked by the sudden death of her loving father and soon thereafter faced life threatening cancer. Sylvia's battle with bone cancer was given only a ten percent chance of survival but she never lost hope and bravely underwent an eight-hour surgery to amputate her right arm and shoulder. 

 

Sylvia throws herself into the challenge of figuring out how to navigate life with one arm and finds there basically isn't anything that she can't do. She embraces life with enthusiasm and creativity. She writes to share her ability to problem solve in the hope that her story will comfort and inspire people who need to tap into their own strength to overcome adversity.  Her story is authentic and spoken from the heart.

 

She narrates a vivid and compelling story of struggle and triumph, from her Viking heritage, and her family's gypsy ways to overcoming her own life challenges. Sylvia is a unique person who brings a fresh, sometimes unconventional, forward way of thinking that not only attracts the attention of others and inspires them. For years people who know her encouraged her to share her story, which led to this book. 

 

Sylvia's story is an inspiring and humorous tale, that will make you laugh out loud, cry and make you believe that anything is possible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781735710617
Publisher:	Sylvia Larsen
Publication date:	06/22/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	299
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Sylvia is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, with a Degree in Architecture. Throughout her initial struggles, she very quickly embraced the process of learning to do things with one arm. Having a growth mindset has contributed to her being able to think out of the box and be extremely innovative in her process. Sylvia has been recognized as being in the top 3% of the population for her inherent ability for initiative allowing her to problem-solve tasks before she attempted them and has given her the capabilities to move forward. After working in the Bay Area for approximately ten years, she started her own Architectural firm in the historic town of Sonoma, California amid the wine country. Where she became quite the wine enthusiast, and also the proud mother of two recent graduates of NYU, one in the field of music, the other in film. Now a three time cancer survivor, Sylvia has taken time off from architecture to write her book and has begun lecturing as a motivational speaker. Where she has developed the abilities to work and educate others to succeed. Sylvia currently lives in her hometown in Marin County with her miniature dachshund Luna.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Preface I

Part One: Tragedy Strikes

Chapter 1 A Man Who Only Knew Good 1

Chapter 2 More Bad News 11

Chapter 3 Appendages & Bullies 23

Chapter 4 A Promise Kept 35

Part Two: My Viking Heritage

Chapter 5 Don't Cry For Me, Argentina 43

Chapter 6 Some Things Are Meant to Be 55

Chapter 7 48 Francis Avenue 63

Chapter 8 What's Cookin' in Denmark 71

Chapter 9 Juletid (Danish Holiday Traditions) 79

Chapter 10 Laughter Is the Best Medicine 85

Part Three:  Moving Forward

Chapter 11 No More Hats 91

Chapter 12 Danmark (as the Danes call it) 99

Chapter 13 Don't Label Me 117

Chapter 14 No Guts, No Glory 123

Chapter 15 Time to Drive 143

Chapter 16 Why... Is This Happening 159

Chapter 17 The Sun Comes Out Again 163

Part Four:  Making It Happen

Chapter 18 Opportunity Knocks 187

Chapter 19 Chicken, Chicken & More Chicken 197

(An unexpected trip)

Chapter 20 The Dream becomes a Reality 203

~ Cal Poly, SLO~

Chapter 21 The Grass Is Always Greener 217

Chapter 22 Two Worlds Collided 225

(And they could never tear us apart) 

Lyrics by INXS

Chapter 23 Life Is Good......... 241

Chapter 24 One Good Margarita 259

Chapter 25 Let's Go Holland... 275

Chapter 26 Cal Poly, SLO ~ Fifth Year 291

   ~ I Did It! ~

Message from the Author 310

Acknowledgements and Friendship 312

Music Composition & Lyrics 315

Appendix ~ Danish Kinship Terms 316

About the Author 319