From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy
Rough Waters
Competitive ParaSurfer Heather C. Markham is no stranger to rough waters.
At age thirty-four, Heather received a life-changing diagnosis: she had a progressive muscular dystrophy and would eventually need a wheelchair. Her walking days were going to end much sooner than she’d expected.
Despite her body’s betrayal, Heather fearlessly leaned into adventures—performing as a belly dancer, falling in love, becoming a ParaSurfer, winning Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, and pursuing her lifelong passion for photography.
With humor and heartbreaking candor, Rough Waters chronicles Heather’s slow decline in mobility and her determination to live an extraordinary life—one full of laughter and joy, sand and salt water. Rough Waters is both an inspiring memoir and a courageous call for more empathy from medical professionals, care attendants, and anyone who knows and loves someone with a disability. Limits are only in your mind, Heather says, and nearly anything is possible with the right tools, help, and perseverance.
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What people are saying
“Heather’s story is a captivating exploration of how living with a disability is like looking in a mirror showing the unfiltered truth of who you are. Heather defied all expectations by believing in herself.”
Peta Hooke, host of The I Can’t Stand Podcast
“In Rough Waters, Markham takes her readers on a journey of loss, transformation, and growth. Her wit, dark humor, and intelligence shine in this memoir about thriving with a progressive disease. Rough Waters is for anyone who wants an equally authentic and hope-filled story.”
Jenny Smith, author of Live the Impossible: How a Wheelchair Has Taken Me Places I Never Dared to Imagine and blogger at Jenny Smith Rolls On
“I’ve been an occupational therapist who has worked in assistive technology with thousands of clients with all kinds of disabilities for over forty years. Part of the job is to get to know people’s ‘stories,’ so that you know what direction to go in with your recommendation (so the technology will actually work the way the client needs it to). This story, the way Heather writes it, is so moving, so funny, so real. She takes us on a journey and shares the lessons she learned. She slowly builds upon her inner conversations and experiences as her physical body fails her in a way that allows the reader to understand the turmoil they might never outwardly see in a person living with a disability. I highly recommend this story!”
Susan Johnson Taylor, occupational therapist, ISWP certified, SJT Consulting
“Human, imperfect, joyful. Read this book for one human's set of experiences and insights about this society, disability, and the continued choices we continue to make (or not) regardless of who we are. I am a little bit better, more aware, and brave having exposed myself to this story.”
N Trick (Amazon Reviewer) 5 star review!
"I really enjoyed reading this memoir. It was really difficult to read that doctors didn’t believe her and it took her awhile to get the right prognosis to her condition. It was inspiring to read that even though her body had a limit, her mind didn’t. After reading about Heather’s falls and the situations it created for her, it was a great reminder not to judge someone as you never know what they are going through. Instead of judging or coming up with your own conclusions, helping them would be a better action to take."
Bookstagrammer @sogladtoreadyou 5 star review!
“Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy is a funny, touching, and insightful look at Markham's diagnosis of LGMD and the following years as she learned to adapt and thrive. So much of her experiences and thoughts resonated with me and I felt so seen. But even more than that there were lessons that the author has learned that I myself have been fighting against, that I found so important for myself to reflect upon.
As someone who has a form of Muscular Dystrophy myself I am all familiar with the way the world views disabled people, especially disabled women and reading this book felt like an auntie sharing her experiences and advice with me. Like I said in my review of Sitting Pretty by Rebekkah Taussig, there is something so beyond comforting and soothing about hearing the stories from other disabled people. I can only compare it to how Markham talks about the LRO events; being around someone who inherently knows your experiences and doesn't need to explain everything, someone who just knows and better yet, understands is beyond invaluable.”
Reviewer and bookstagrammer @danaslitlist
"[Markham] writes with humor and exuberance. An honest and encouraging narrative about seizing life, no matter your limitations."
Kirkus Reviews
“Rough Waters is the memoir of a young woman who spent years seeking a diagnosis, then continued fighting to survive it with a zeal most of us could not muster. Heather is annoyingly persistent, shamelessly bold, and a tireless advocate for those with disabilities, even as her own body betrays her. The book was impossible to put down as I had to know what new and amazing thing she would accomplish in the next chapter. A story of faith and resilience to inspire us all.”
Ranette H. Halverson, PhD, professor emeritus, Midwestern State University, Texas
“Heather has a way of writing that draws you in not only to her inner thoughts but to the whole feeling of the situation and setting. In sharing her memoir, I felt all the feelings: frustration, laughter, sadness, excitement, and love. For those who may not be familiar with what it’s like to live with a disability, don’t think for a second that you can’t find common ground or relatability. Anyone can get a lot out of reading Heather’s memoir. Through sharing her story, Heather allows us all to glean a greater understanding and empathy for anyone who has a disability. As a medical professional, I feel that by reading Rough Waters, I have learned so many things that a degree can’t teach you. Thank you, Heather, for taking yet another exciting risk in your life and making a positive impact through your book!”
Kelly Twichel, licensed occupational therapist, CEO of Access Trax
"Life is all about choices, isn’t it? Meet an extraordinary woman who chose to make the best of a bad situation. Not only does the author of this true story have a fabulous attitude, but the ability to put an inspirational spin on a heart-wrenching story. I appreciate her vulnerability as she let us ride the waves with her. With sprinkles of humor, her courage and resolve continue as the story and disease progresses. It’s an honest and bold testimony, certainly not all sunshine and roses. Heather’s strength of character is prevalent throughout the story and is indeed an inspiration to us all. This story will stay with me long after the last page. Well done, Heather, well done."
Kim Wilch, reviewer and bookstagrammer, @onemoreexclamation 5 star review!
“I love reading books about strong individuals, but especially books about strong women, which is what Heather can absolutely be described as!”
Booktuber and book reviewer @elise_readsandwrites
