My Life At Sweetbrier: A Life Changed by Horses by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne.
What if you grew up on a horse farm and your single passion was to become a champion horseback rider?
The problem is, you were born with a disability. Doctors tell your parents you’ll never walk, let alone ride.
What will happen next?
What does her dad do that changes her life?
Will a failed racehorse and a handicapped girl become a winning team?
This is the author’s true story of her journey. Even if Deanie prevails, will she find exactly the right horse to help her win?
“Beautiful book and the illustrator did a marvelous job! We plan to give Wilbur much deserved exposure in the coming year.” ~Theodocia McLean, Book Marketing Global Network
5 Stars: For The Love Of A Horse, Family Bonds and A Father’s Promise To His Little Girl!
My Life At Sweetbrier (A Life Changed By Horses) by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a not only a well written memoir, but an inspirational journey that continues today. This journey begins when Deanie is two years old and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The specialist told Deanie’s parents that she will not be able to walk and participate in activities that other children enjoy. Her family, especially her father, with grit and determination created ‘Sweetbrier Riding School’. Sweetbrier took young Deanie’s love for horses and gave her the skills, knowledge, disciple and ability to make it into the winner’s circle.
Let me bring you into Deanie’s story here: “My first riding adventure happened when I was five-year-old. Why did my heart pound when Daddy led me around the riding ring on the freckled grey pony, Little Man, for the first time ever? I plodded around, listening to the steady clip-clop of Little Man’s hooves hit the sandy soil of theriding ring. My legs wobbled, sliding from side to side. Isn’t it amazing I didn’t fall off? Daddy led me around while he rode another horse because my arms weren’t strong enough to steer Little Man myself. Sometimes when I rode along on Little Man my legs got so tired I slid off. Yikes! Without warning, I sat in the dirt looking up at Little Man. I wasn’t hurt but disappointed I fell off for no reason. What happened next? Could I give up? That was never an option. The family motto was, “The Humphrys don’t give up.” Daddy picked me up, gave me a kiss, and lifted me back on. How could I figure out the magic formula for staying on? It was much more fun than sitting in the dirt without my pony.”
Deanie never gave up through all life’s challenges, her surgery and horse shows that brought her into the winner’s circle. The photos included in this book will carry you into her world. There is a quiz at the end with answers, that reinforce this amazing true story.
As an adult, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne became an award-winning children’s author. The stories and illustrations in her eight books will delight and inspire beginner readers all the way up through the teen years. I encourage you to purchase Deanie’s books, give them as gifts, and even donate them to libraries, medical facility waiting rooms and places where kids and parents gather.
Editorial Review by Book Marketing Global Network.
Review by Gigi Sedlmayer, Book Excellence Award Finalist winning author of the Talon series. 5.0 out of 5 Stars. With determination you can achieve your dream. Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2017. Verified Purchase. First, I have to say: To have a daddy as Deanie has, is priceless. Unfortunately, not all daddies would do what Deanie’s daddy did. So, Deanie’s book is the amazing story what he achieved as Deanie was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Growing up with this disease, it’s not easy. But with such a help of her dad? Deanie can do everything, as she did and fulfilled her dream: riding horses, her love, even winning competitions. How could she not have that dream, living on a farm with horses. It was quite a journey and not every time it worked out as Deanie wanted it to be. But with determination and getting up again, after a fall, so never giving up, she finally achieved her dream. A powerful message for never giving up. Well done, Deanie. What an inspiration you are. Thank you that i could read your amazing story.
Review by shimsl: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A positive true story. Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019. Verified Purchase. This is a positive story about a girl born with cerebral palsy, who despite a diagnosis she will never walk, let alone ride a horse, proves the doctors wrong. A true story, the author describes her own youth in detail through her special love of horses, and one horse in particular named Peach. They go on to win many championships together, but winning does not come without struggle and setbacks. The author learned from her many mistakes as she was gently guided down a challenging path by two very supportive parents. A takeaway for young readers will be that perseverance (not ever giving up) is key to success, that learning from your mistakes is a good thing, and that an understanding and supportive family is truly a blessing.
Review by JillLori: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. Life is about creating yourself and having hope. Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020. Verified Purchase. Being born with a disability did not hold Deannie back from accomplishing her dreams. With love and guidance from her emotionally supportive family she became who she wanted to be, an independent, talented and competitive horse rider. She had a dream and continued to follow her passion. This true story is an excellent example of what a positive attitude and persistence can accomplish. Deannie created herself by design and reading this story sends a positive message for all to do the same.
Review by reader2010: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. Excellent story. Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018. Verified Purchase. An excellent story that brings home some vital lessons. Never give up. You may need to devise different ways to do something physically challenging, but never stop trying. There is also another lesson, one for parents. Encourage your children and help them find those other ways so they will have the confidence to grow strong even with a disability.
Review by Rich Linville: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A Truly Beautiful and Inspiring Autobiography. Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2018. Verified Purchase. At birth, her parents were told that Deanie would never walk again. With the love of her family and her love of horses, she overcomes many obstacles. Her “Pearls of Wisdom” are a reminder to us all that perseverance is important in our lives. Highly recommended to adults and children.
Review by Karen Smith: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. Some more to love. Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017. My Life at Sweetbrier by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is such a great story and so true. I have an have read the first book but this one it tells you so much more and then there is also the pictures that have been added.
When from the first page that you read, you are going to be hooked, and you will not be able to put down till the last page comes. You will feel yourself right there, like when she is sitting in the dirt, I can just hear her mind saying well have to get up can’t sit here if I am going to become a great rider that I know I can be. When they talk about the house and the rooms, I am here in a small apt., but I could feel myself in those large rooms. I could feel the hurt in my heart the way she was treated when she first started school. It was so hurtful the way the other students acted, and they do act like that I was also never chosen but mine was because I was fat and the feeling was, I also would not be able to do what the others were doing.
There is so much love in this story from her family and for her love of horses that you could feel that whatever she wanted out of her life she was going to find a way to do just that. There is so much in all six now of the books that go with this one, you will just know what is in the minds of the horses as well as the people you will feel it all. Please everyone read an feel in your heart what is being told in this story and then go an send a message to the author and after that make a review so that so many others will enjoy and feel what a person can make out of their life an share what she is telling you, you never ever should say I CAN’T DO WHAT EVER IT IS.
I hope that one day we will find another book coming out for us to share what is going on with Elliott, Hattie Wooliam any of the ponies or horses how did their futures turn out.
Well, all I can say now is get the first five books and then make sure you have this one MY LIFE AT SWEETBRIER, send a message to the author to let her know how much you love all the books, and don’t forget to make a review about what you feel and have learned.
Review by Colleen M. Chesebro:5.0 out of 5 Stars. Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a real champion and motivator. Her journey will inspire you to reach for the stars. Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2017.
Do you love horses and stories filled with courage and inspiration? Young, Deanie Humphreys was born a preemie with the debilitating disease called cerebral palsy. At birth, a portion of her brain was damaged. The result was that Deanie had difficulty walking. Now, for most kids, this would be enough to limit their physical activities for life. But Deanie’s father made a huge decision that changed her life. He said, “I’m going to teach you to ride, and you’ll be fine.”
That single decision changed Deanie’s life forever. Deanie took her first steps at four years old. With the grit and determination of someone much older than herself, she set out to prove the doctors wrong. And, let me tell you. Deanie’s journey is filled with the hopes and joys that only reaching for your dreams and succeeding can bring. It was the ability to ride a horse that gave Deanie the freedom and normality she craved.
My Life at Sweetbrier: A Life Changed by Horses, is Deanie’s story based on memories and photos from her childhood. The book is written for children of all ages and filled with the kind of stories that everyone can easily relate to. The underlying theme is clear – perseverance pays off – never give up on your dreams.
I laughed and cried with the young Deanie, and I felt her pain at not being like the other kids. This is the kind of book you want to read and discuss with your children, talking about empathy for those who are different; while at the same time, encouraging children to not just accept their lot in life. The author writes:
“…it is wise to use your challenges to motivate you toward your goals because when you’ve conquered one obstacle, you’ve gained the confidence to tackle your next challenge.”
Also, at the back of the book, the author provides a quiz for the reader to pull from their memory the finer points of the story. Answers are provided giving an additional learning opportunity.
I loved this sweet story of courage in the face of adversity. It was a poignant story of perseverance and motivation to never give up on your dreams. Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a real champion and motivator. Her journey will inspire you to reach for the stars.
MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 Stars
Review by Neesie315: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A Truly Inspiring Story. Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021. This was an enjoyable book with a great message for anyone. Although it is written for children, I am well past childhood and enjoyed it a lot.
The author was born prematurely and when she was still unable to walk at the age of three, her parents were told that she had Cerebral Palsy and would never be able to walk. However, her Daddy (especially) was determined that Deanie would be able to walk and more. Her parents bought a horse farm named Sweetbrier and there her life truly began.
Deanie slowly learned to ride a horse and then eventually became a champion rider and jumper. Her determination and persistence are an inspiration to anyone reading this book.
This would be a great book to read or listen to as a family or a good book for young readers to read for themselves. The courage, patience, determination, persistence and positive attitudes shown by Deanie and her family have a great message for all of us.
The narrator was perfect for this book and added a lot to it. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the publisher and chose to review it.
Review by Theodore J. Cohen: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A Book About True Grit…Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2017. Most of us, parent or not, can’t imagine having a child that didn’t crawl until three-years of age, much less one who failed to walk until age four. But that was the early life of author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne, who, delivered two months premature, weighed only three pounds at birth. It took years before doctors finally were able to diagnose her condition: cerebral palsy. Fortunately for her, Ms. Humphrys-Dunne’s father, “a determined person” (that’s an understatement!) made the decision that what the doctor said wasn’t going to stand in his daughter’s way: he was going to teach his little girl how to ride a horse!
And teach her he did. As chronicled in “My Life at Sweetbrier”—a ‘can do’ story if ever there were on—the reader will learn of the struggles and the tears, the disappointments and setbacks, and finally, the joys and the triumphs that mark those among us with the courage to ‘play the hand we are dealt’ and live life on OUR terms.
It’s been said: life isn’t for sissies. Nothing demonstrates this more than what Deanie, with the help of her parents, has accomplished. Critical to the story, as you will learn, is the Humphreys’ farm, Sweetbrier, which includes a sprawling yellow Victorian-style house (built near the end of the 19th century) together with stables and a riding ring. It’s there where Deanie not only learned to ride, but also, to jump horses. Especially rewarding is her story about the jumping contest between Deanie’s pony, Doey, and a horse named Sunny.
Whether or not your life has been touched by adversity, you and your children will enjoy this heartwarming story. As well, there isn’t a person I know who couldn’t learn something about overcoming the obstacles thrown in our paths by simply reading the Deanie Humphrys-Dunne’s new book.
I give it FIVE STARS all the way.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an objective review.
Review by kidztales: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. Very encouraging! Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2017. Can you imagine living on a farm with horses but not being able to ride them? What would it be like to sit there, looking out the window, watching your sisters’ ride, and jump over fences on them? I think it would be horrible! What if you were disabled and one day your doctor says that you’ll never walk? What would your parents say or do? This all happened to author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. She takes us into her world of learning to ride a horse while having a disability. Not only that, but she tells us how she went on showing the horses and jump them in horse shows! She has the ribbons to show for it, too!
It all started when that doctor said Deanie would never walk. Her dad had other ideas contrary to what the doctor said. Thus, started Deanie’s long journey to the horse shows. It all started with her dad finding her a pony that she could handle and then strengthening her legs so that she could stay up. Then, she learned to walk the horse without falling off; everything up to jumping when she was eighteen. Through the years she’s ridden many horses as she grew and progressed. In this autobiography, the author takes us through all of the up and downs of her life. She tells us of the horses’ barn burning and her mother losing her favorite horse to Deanie finally getting a horse of her own!
I was very impressed with this inspirational book and the courageous author who wrote it! I feel it should definitely be in your home library. It will teach your children that they can overcome whatever obstacles life throws in their direction.
Product Details:
Paperback: 142 Pages
Publisher: Monday Creek Publishing (May 13, 2017)
Language: English
Biography (Memoirs)
Amazon Print:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Sweetbrier-Changed-Horses/dp/069287898X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
YouTube Book Video: https://youtu.be/PX6OjKrpW9w
About The Author: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a multi-award-winning children’s author of eight books: My Life at Sweetbrier–A Life Changed by Horses, Charlie the Horse, Charlene the Star, Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes, Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog, A Tractor Named Wilbur and Un Tractor Llamado Wilbur and Wilbur’s new Home.. Many of her fictional books are beautifully illustrated by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj who also designed the covers for them. Wilbur’s new Home is wonderfully jointly illustrated by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj and Wanda L. Urabazo. The series of Charlene the Star books is told by the animal characters.
Deanie’s writing has earned the coveted Mom’s Choice Awards for My Life at Sweetbrier and A Tractor Named Wilbur. Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes won the Reserve Champion Winnie Award at the Equus Film Festival in Children’s Fiction. In that same contest, My Life at Sweetbrier won the Winnie Award in Equine English Biography. Other accolades include the Titan Review Silver Medals, Readers Favorites silver medals, and New Apple Solo (Gold) Medal, among others.
Deanie believes the message that perseverance is the key to accomplishing amazing things and has made it her mission to share this message, one that can benefit every child. Through her inspiring, real life and fictional works, children learn that anything is possible when they refuse to give up on their dreams. Deanie knows from her own life experience that we can attain much more than we ever imagined possible by never quitting.
Deanie’s stories remind readers that tenacity is the key to success. She shares proof that obstacles can be overcome. With the goal of being a positive role model for generations of children, Deanie loves to write entertaining stories that emphasize values that build self-esteem and confidence in young readers. She works tirelessly to create stories that appeal to children in an engaging manner.
Deanie has been featured on several author websites including TheAuthorsShow.com, and blogtalkradio.com with authors JD Holiday and Annette Rochelle Aben.
YouTube Promo Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rba4hkmmTyc&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fbookmarketingglobalnetwork.com%2F
Amazon Author’s Page
https://www.amazon.com/Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne/e/B003FFS15S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1511446982&sr=1-1
Professional Website
http://www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/
Professional Blogs
http://www.dhdunne.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Childrens-author-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne/574820065875628
Twitter: @DeanieHDunne
Author’s Page At Book Marketing Global Network:
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/deanie-humphrys-dunne
