An Almost Fatal Miracle: Realizing Reality

Roger Daniel Rizzo
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595439621
Reviewed by Wendy Cleveland for Reader Views (6/08)


Civil trial attorney and world traveler, Roger Daniel Rizzo, had a life-changing experience after a near fatal motorcycle accident covered in his memoir, “An Almost Fatal Miracle.”  On June 30, 1995 after a night of drinking with his fellow colleagues, he makes the mistake of accepting a ride with one of them on the back of his motorcycle.  Neither was wearing a helmet or protective gear.  This ride ended in them veering off the road and crashing down a ravine.  Roger’s body was battered and crushed leaving him with life-threatening brain injuries.  He was in a coma for over five months.  Once he awoke, he did not remember the crash or anything that transpired after.  He soon discovers that his wife was appointed his legal conservator while he was in a coma.  This meant she was in control of him and his finances.  However, emotionally she wanted nothing to do with him.  She even told him he could not move back into the house with her.  After several months, he was able to liquidate this appointment.  Shortly afterwards, she filed for divorce.  This was a sad moment in the story, and showed that we need those we love to stand behind us no matter what.  Mr. Rizzo went through numerous operations and months of rehabilitation before he started to feel somewhat normal again.  During this time, he began reflecting on his purpose in life and why God spared him.  He began volunteering for many organizations including the Salvation Army as well as nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities spreading the “good news” as well as telling his remarkable story.  Throughout the memoir, he gives his theological opinions on various biblical scriptures as well as universal themes. 

I was disappointed in “An Almost Fatal Miracle.” I was expecting more about his life and recovery rather than him devoting the majority of the book to his philosophical ideals on why we exist, what we need to be doing with our lives, and what life after death means.  What I did get out of Mr. Rizzo’s life-shattering experience was that we should not wait until death comes knocking at our door to live our life to the fullest.  Anyone interested in philosophy and theology would probably enjoy this book.

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