Written in novel form, "The Hardships and Victories of Mary-Lee" chronicles the honest and inspirational life story of Jessica Dixon beginning with a vivid description of her emotional insecurities as a little girl after she was repeatedly left in children's homes by her mother.

Jessica openly shares the details of traumatic events from her childhood and beyond with the hope that others can learn from her experiences. Exploring the doubts, fears, and perplexities she encountered after being repeatedly handed off to various homes, camps, and finally to a foreign country after her mother is sent to prison and her father remarries, Jessica illustrates how she learned to find comfort and guidance both from her spiritual beliefs as well as her friends and therapists. Jessica's life journey takes her from the heartbreaking emotional and physical abandonment of both her parents through a battle with Anorexia Nervosa to the joy of finally realizing her dream of becoming a mother and dancer.

As Jessica's pilgrimage to true happiness continues, many other hurdles await her. Her unrelenting courage and perseverance will inspire others to confront their own trauma, allowing the healing to begin.

At a critical juncture during brain surgery, Alex Dixon, age 12, had a stroke . . . Alex was a normal, bright, and healthy little girl, when the sudden onset of a mysterious illness began to take over her life. Months of physical therapy and medication failed to provide relief from acute pain and muscle spasms. Doctors across the country were at a loss for answers. A last-ditch attempt at treatment-brain surgery-ended up stopping the spasms but with unexpected, dire consequences. A Stroke of Luck is the remarkable true story of a close-knit family that meets challenge after challenge with resilience, hope, and love.

Written in novel form, "The Hardships and Victories of Mary-Lee" chronicles the honest and inspirational life story of Jessica Dixon beginning with a vivid description of her emotional insecurities as a little girl after she was repeatedly left in children's homes by her mother.

Jessica openly shares the details of traumatic events from her childhood and beyond with the hope that others can learn from her experiences. Exploring the doubts, fears, and perplexities she encountered after being repeatedly handed off to various homes, camps, and finally to a foreign country after her mother is sent to prison and her father remarries, Jessica illustrates how she learned to find comfort and guidance both from her spiritual beliefs as well as her friends and therapists. Jessica's life journey takes her from the heartbreaking emotional and physical abandonment of both her parents through a battle with Anorexia Nervosa to the joy of finally realizing her dream of becoming a mother and dancer.

As Jessica's pilgrimage to true happiness continues, many other hurdles await her. Her unrelenting courage and perseverance will inspire others to confront their own trauma, allowing the healing to begin.