Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Laurie Ann Thompson, Sean Qualls
Language: English
Pages: 40
ISBN: 044981744X
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story—which was turned into a film, Emmanuel's Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—is nothing short of remarkable.
Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.
Thompson's lyrical prose and Qualls's bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity.
Includes an author's note with more information about Emmanuel's charity.
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with drinking water, a camera, and his best friends. Then Emmanuel tied his right leg to the bike’s frame, jammed his left foot into a flip-flop attached to the pedal, and rode. Emmanuel pedaled through the bustling city of Accra. He pedaled through rain forests, over rolling hills, and across wide, muddy rivers. He pedaled past odum forests and plantain farms and through the market city of Kumasi. He pedaled as trucks roared past on the narrow highways and wild animals stalked his thoughts. He
ISBN 978-0-449-81746-9 (ebk) 1. Yeboah, Emmanuel Ofosu, 1977– —Juvenile literature. 2. People with disabilities—Ghana—Biography— Juvenile literature. 3. Cyclists—Ghana—Biography—Juvenile literature. 4. Ghana—Biography—Juvenile literature. I. Qualls, Sean, illustrator. II. Title. HV3013.Y43T56 2015 362.4092—dc23 [B] 2014005767 The illustrations were rendered in mixed media. Random House Children’s Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read. v3.1 Contents Title Page
could have anything, but he would have to get it for himself. He learned to crawl and hop, to fetch water and climb coconut trees. He even shined shoes to earn money. Most kids with disabilities couldn’t go to school. Still, Emmanuel’s mother carried him there, until one day she said, “You are too heavy.” From then on, Emmanuel hopped to school and back, two miles each way, on one leg, by himself. At first, nobody would play with him. So Emmanuel saved his money and bought something none of
When Mama Comfort grew sicker, Emmanuel went home to be with her. From her bed on Christmas Eve she told her son, “Be respectful, take care of your family, don’t ever beg. And don’t give up.” By the next morning, Emmanuel’s beloved mother was dead. He was heartbroken, but he knew her last words had been a gift. He would honor them by showing everyone that being disabled does not mean being unable. It was a big dream, but Emmanuel had a plan. Emmanuel had a sharp mind, a bold heart, and one
When Mama Comfort grew sicker, Emmanuel went home to be with her. From her bed on Christmas Eve she told her son, “Be respectful, take care of your family, don’t ever beg. And don’t give up.” By the next morning, Emmanuel’s beloved mother was dead. He was heartbroken, but he knew her last words had been a gift. He would honor them by showing everyone that being disabled does not mean being unable. It was a big dream, but Emmanuel had a plan. Emmanuel had a sharp mind, a bold heart, and one