Now I See: How I Battled Blindness, Mental Illness, an Espresso Habit and Lived to Tell the Tale - Softcover

Buttitta, Mariagrazia; Ferro, Dominique

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0997944803 ISBN 13: 9780997944808

Publisher: Embracing Your Differences, 2016

Synopsis

BY THE TIME native Sicilian Mariagrazia Buttitta turned twenty-six, she’d planned out the perfect life. After finishing her residency in Buongiorno Medical School, she’d be primed for a job at the prestigious Roma Hospital, the first step toward becoming an Italian Dr. Oz. And what life is complete without a handsome prince by her side, gracing the face of Italian People Magazine as one of Italy’s “Most Beautiful Couple”? Instead, she wakes up to discover a medical diagnosis that leaves her almost completely blind. Her family, frustrated and desperate, seeks medical aid in the United States, but it comes with a steep price. Along the way, Mariagrazia must battle bullies, an obsessive lover, and her two biggest enemies: anxiety and depression. Tortured by her thoughts, she finds herself toeing the line between life and death, contemplating ending it all. As a last resort, she turns to a childhood diary of poems and creative writing to rediscover herself and the will to live ... before it’s too late. Now I See is a heart-wrenching yet humorous true tale of struggle, survival, amazing grace, unconditional love, and a fresh look at the American Dream. It’s an account of one young woman’s journey overcoming devastating odds while stumbling her way through darkness into light.

About this title

About the Author:

A native Sicilian-Italian speaker, Mariagrazia Buttitta is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from The College of New Jersey. Mariagrazia speaks to college students and organizations about her blindness, along with her long-term battle with depression and anxiety. In 2015, Mariagrazia founded an Instagram social media campaign, the (#YSS) Your Sunglass Selfie Project, using the hashtag #eye4acure in an effort to tear down stigma and negative assumptions held about the many different types of blindness that exist, including her own cone dystrophy. When not working, Mariagrazia loves spending quality time with family and friends, hiking, collecting sunglasses, exercising, shopping, and hanging out with her two therapy dogs, Happy and Lucky. Her one true weakness—espresso . . . and lots of it. www.embracingyourdifferences.com

Review:

"Mariagrazia Buttitta writes a passionate, palpable, powerhouse of a life story. From her vivid descriptions of Italian culture, and food, to her mountain moving poetry, she paves a path to hope. Hope after living with a mental illness, and hope even when sight is taken from her. Mari' shares colorful memories from her personal diary, and past. She shows the world, I am here, and I am real. She tells us I have mental illness, I am blind, but I will always see. I see you Maria...I see you."

Kevin Hines, storyteller, author, advocate, filmmaker, founding partner, CEO: 17th & Montgomery Productions A Mental Health Media Co. -kevin@kevinhinesstory.com

"Now I See shares a moving personal story that touches on so many critical aspects of well-being in the face of adversity. Three qualities resonate throughout Brave Maria's compelling journey of healing--a spirit to cope, grit, and amazing grace."

Sean Campbell, mental health advocate

"Mariagrazia writes a unique and insightful narrative on two stigmatized battles throughout her life. She seeks the truth through her past, strengthens herself with tools from present situations, and finds her voice to give hope in the future. A creative, helpful, and inspiring memoir!"

Laurel King, student, tutor, and massage therapist

"From the moment you begin this book, its powerful narrative of adversity, strength, and persistence will take you on a moving and inspirational journey. Written not only for those who personally endure society's stigma toward blindness, it's must read that helps all of us see how we see others."

Paul D'Angelo, Ph.D., professor of Communication, The College of New Jersey

"I am so proud of my friend Mariagrazia for how powerful, and raw, and true this book is! Disabilities are actually more universal than we realize -- we all have them to one extent or another. However, Mariagrazia is testament to the fact that we get to choose whether we become victim to them or not. I am humbled by her courage to share both the darkest and lightest moments so openly. She may not have sight in the conventional sense as we know it, but I believe she actually see's a lot more than we do. And we could do well to borrow some from her vision."

-Kyle Maynard is a speaker, bestselling author, and ESPY Award-winning mixed martial arts athlete, known for becoming the first quadruple amputee to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Aconcagua without the aid of prosthetics.

"Mariagrazia Buttitta's Now I See... is a gorgeous memoir. It is a deeply felt, beautifully expressed, resonant true story of tackling multiple obstacles, defying expectations and ultimately thriving with humor, strength and verve. Ms. Buttitta's childhood self, Little Maria, is rendered with tenderness and perfection and we root for her to succeed and be fully embraced by her adult self. This book is powerful, enlightening and inspiring - a wonderful read. Highly recommended."

- Suzanne Bachner, Author of the Award-winning plays, Circle and The Good Adoptee

About this edition

• Publisher: Embracing Your Differences
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0997944803
• ISBN 13: 9780997944808
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 275
• Editor: Cangioli Pamela, Hill Skookum, Fico-White Lorraine, Jace Kimberley
• Illustrator: Koch Michael