This book contains a collection of many of the poems, short stories, essays, articles, and letters that Joe Hemphill wrote between 1960 and 2011. Joe is a prolific writer, despite the fact that he was born with cerebral palsy and has dealt with multiple and profound disabilities all of his life. Joe hopes this book will provide insight into one man's quest to live his life to the fullest, even from a wheelchair. In Joe's writings, you will find unusual insights. The stories, essays, articles, and poems in this book reflect the experiences that have shaped who Joe is and how he approaches life. Joe has faced life with determination and he has made the best of every situation. He has reached out to both people with and without disabilities. You will find humor, inspiration, hope, perseverance, courage that will make you laugh and cry. He started writing in elementary school and writing has been the focus of his life ever since. He realized that he didn't have to be able to walk in order to be able to write stories. Writing takes a great deal of effort, time, and energy, but 200 words is just a warm up for Joe. With the help of teachers, friends, and care providers, he lives independently, listens to books on CD and on his computer, writes a column for the local United Cerebral Palsy agency, and submits letters to the editor. He also goes for long rides around town in his power wheelchair and has friends who read his poetry during local open mike nights. The author: I was born with cerebral palsy. My folks decided early on that I wasn't going to use my handicap to get my way. They wanted me to be independent and experience everything I could. I lived at home until I was 17. After that, I lived in institutions until I was 30. At 30, I moved into my own apartment. Living outside of institutions enabled me to attend college classes in writing. It also enabled me to meet people all over my community, have a girlfriend, go on vacations with friends, and manage my own life. I am currently in my late sixties and live in my own apartment in a complex dedicated to seniors and people with disabilities. I have been writing since I was nine years old. Also published by Joe Hemphill, in 2010, is Keeping Up With Jerry, about many of the people in Joe's life. It Has Been A Great Ride and I am still out there cruising.