Hi, Shelley! One of my best friends works for the Ambassador Agency, the
agency that represents Joel. I'll see if she can get his book for me. I've
been wanting to read it, too. <Smile>
Jana
Possible book for Bookshare if someone can get it?
*** BlackMountainNews.com - Joel Sonnenberg releases first book detailing his special story
Black Mountain News
Wednesday, September 15, 2004 . Updated every Wednesday
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Joel Sonnenberg Joel Sonnenberg releases first book detailing his special story
By Barbara Hootman Staff Writer
Wednesday September 15, 2004
Local resident Joel Sonnenberg is a well-known young man who has called the
Valley home for most of his life.
Recently, he released his first major book, "Joel," detailing the fiery automobile accident that trapped him, leaving him burned and scarred for life. The book was written with Gregg Lewis.
"I just wanted to share what I've been through, and tell people what is in my heart," Sonnenberg said. "God does the rest."
Joel was burned on over 85 percent of his body, in an accident when he was only 22 months old. On September 15, 1979, he was riding in a car with his father and uncle, with his mother, three-year-old sister, and aunt following in another car. The family was on the way to Maine for a vacation.
While the Sonnenbergs were stopped at a New Hampshire tollbooth, a 36-ton
tractor-trailer slammed into the row of cars that included the one carrying
Joel,
which burst into flames. Mike Sonnenberg, Joel's dad, and his uncle climbed
out of the vehicle with their clothes and hair on fire. Each thought the
other
had Joel. Neither had grabbed the toddler.
A 20-year old man passing heard Joel's cries and pulled him out still
strapped in his car seat. When Janet Sonnenberg, Joel's mom, found him on
the ground,
he looked like a cinder. His tiny arms were charred and quivering, his hair
was gone, and his face was black. Joel was literally smoldering.
He was given only a 10 percent chance of surviving. From a baby charred beyond recognition, Joel has spent a lifetime growing up and maturing into the man he is today in the Swannanoa Valley.
Sonnenberg has taken many steps along the long road of learning to live a
normal life with scars marking his entire body. He suffered through some 45
surgeries
and excruciating treatments for years. He has lived with constant physical
and emotional pain throughout his entire life.
Even after 21 years of dealing with stares and questions from strangers, he
finds himself not sure how to react.
"Sometimes I feel angry," he said. "Sometimes I just ignore them. Sometimes
I want to have a little fun with them-and follow them around. Sometimes it's
suffocating, and sometimes I just want to get away. I'd like to say that I
smile every time, but that isn't the case. I don't want to pretend that it
is.
I'm still learning to smile at people's curiosity."
While a student at Owen High School, Joel found acceptance and ways to cope
with his limitations and develop his particular strengths. His
accomplishments
are too lengthy to list all of them, but a few include carrying the 1996
Summer Olympic torch through his community, being voted prince at the junior
prom,
being named the Western North Carolina Citizen of the Year in 1996, and
receiving a $17,500 college scholarship from Discover Card for his high
school
performance, extracurricular activities, and inspiring attitude toward life.
Sonnenberg is 21 years old now, and a junior at Taylor University in Upland,
Indiana. He is active in student government and intramural soccer,
volleyball,
and flag football.
"I felt compelled to write this book," he said. "People seem to always want
to hear more about my story. I think it is the power of people and the power
of the story. I know there is a greater purpose in all of this. I feel very
blessed to have this opportunity. A lot of people have greater stories than
mine. I hope people will read the story and have greater insight into
themselves and into me."
Sonnenberg wants to be known for who he is, and he calls himself God's
Magnifying Glass. In "Joel," he shares the inexpressible pain, both physical
and
emotional, the torture of unrelenting surgeries, the constant stares from
strangers, and such cruel comments as "Take off your mask."
In "Joel," Sonnenberg allows the reader to see his personal journey from his
perspective. He shares his life of almost insurmountable struggles and of
tremendous
achievement and honor.
"I'm really just an ordinary person whom people find extraordinary," he said.
Ruth and Billy Graham find Sonnenberg to be a special young man.
"We have known Joel since he first moved to Montreat, 18 years ago," the
Grahams said. "What an incredible boy he was; what an incredible man he has
become.
His testimony will stir your heart and forever change you."
Janet Sonnenberg says she is very proud of her son.
"I helped him fine-tune and hone the book," she said. "I helped him
visualize some of the details. It is a wonderful summary of Joel growing up
here in
the Valley."
"Joel" is available from Zondervan books online at www.Zondervan.com. It
sells for $19.99, or you can purchase it locally at the Montreat
Presbyterian Bookstore
and Gift Shop at 303 Lookout Road in Montreat, LifeWay Christian Book Store
in the Ridgecrest Conference Center, and in Asheville at Waldenbooks in
Biltmore
Square, Barnes and Noble at 83 Tunnel Road, and Books-A-Million at 136 S.
Tunnel Road, and LifeWay Christian Book Store at 299 Swannanoa River Road.
In "Joel," the reader will find an inspiring story of tremendous tragedy and
grief followed by the immense faith, hope and love of the Sonnenberg family.
The book's message is that no matter how tragic the circumstances in life,
they can be overcome with a positive attitude and knowledge that God has a
purpose
for your life. With God's love and strong support from family and friends,
people can survive, even thrive, through life's difficulties.
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Sarai and Rosie Isaiah 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
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