My illness may define the length of my life, but it won't define how I
live it. My disability gave me the ability to understand and help
others. And now I finally feel like I am living.
17-year-old Lewis Hine is a global phenomenon. Diagnosed with a
life-threatening brain tumor and water on the brain at 17 months, he
wasn't expected to survive. But Lewis proved everyone wrong; he's not
only surviving but thriving. In one Facebook post on his 16th birthday
Lewis invited everyone to see how he faces head on the challenges from
his ongoing illness, and he went viral. 30 million views later, Lewis
now spearheads a campaign, Friend Finder, to make sure no one ever faces
childhood illness alone. In his memoir, Lewis reaches out to anyone who
may feel isolated in their lives. After 13 brain surgeries and continual
health problems, life for Lewis is a daily challenge. From the sheer
physical challenges--he is at high risk of sudden unexpected death in
epilepsy (SUDEP) and has a pump in his brain just to keep him alive--to
the horrendous bullying he's endured, he shares how he finds the
strength to overcome all this and still lead a fun and fulfilling life.
With a host of admirers around the world from Elton John to Kid Ink,
Lewis is living his dream--even becoming Radio 1's Teen Hero of the
Year. His story will make you laugh, cry, and above all, feel inspired
by life's endless possibilities, looking at the stars.
