It was definitely hard at times to listen to Haben share about the ableism she has encountered throughout her life, but I think it will be very eye-opening to nondisabled folks. One of my favorite parts of the book is when she gets to meet President Obama.

Favorite quote: "People with disabilities succeed when communities choose to be inclusive."

A very good story that is well written. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the free review copy for review!!

Beautiful life thank you for sharing your story with us. I would recommend this to my friends. The writing was wonderful

An excellent look at how people with disabilities can achieve great things. The book shows how she gets frustrated and turns those feelings into positive action. Written in an easy-to-read style that allows the reader to better understand how Haben lives. It should make for a good Lafayette Reads Together book.

I enjoyed this book and found it to be well-written and fascinating. Girma's story is a tremendous one of overcoming despite the odds. I am glad she is telling her story!

I work in the area of education for the Deaf as a sign language interpreter. Every day, I see how lacking our mainstreamed schools are when meeting the needs of the Deaf. It is so discouraging.

We have come so far with the passing of the ADA, but we still have so far to go. Deaf, Blind and Deafblind literally have to fight for access to information the rest of us take for granted. Did you know Deaf advocates in schools still have to request captions on videos, 30 years after the law was passed to require them? Did you know most movie theaters still do not provide captions? Did you know that Deaf people still have to fight for having interpreters when important news events are happening or when there is breaking news? Can you imagine not knowing what is happening in the world? In the news? In your community?

Haben is an exceptional Deafblind woman who pushed all boundaries and hindrances aside. In high school, Haben’s school was taking a trip to Mali. She desperately wanted to go with her classmates. Her parents were understandably concerned for her safety. They knew Haben would face difficulties with communication and navigating her surroundings, so they said no.

Haben wanted to go and make a difference and live life large, not just sit at home because things were harder for her. She convinced her parents to let her go by making plans ahead of time to be prepared to face the difficulties she might encounter and by making sure her advisors and teachers were prepared for her needs.

Facing life head on, with the encouragement of a friend, Haben went to a school for the blind for a summer to learn skills and techniques to become completely independent. She decided to get a seeing eye dog, Maxine, who enabled her to become self sufficient.

Today, Haben is a highly sought after speaker and spends her time advocating for people with disabilities.

This book is about facing and overcoming challenges. The stories shared therein are interesting and at times, humorous. In other words, it’s relatable for all. It was a treat to see what life has been like for Haben, through her eyes.

I received an ARC copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Twelve, for this advanced reading copy of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma. This is the autobiographical story of Harvard's first deaf-blind law school graduate. Haben shares her experience in a moving way, as well as uses her experiences to bring awareness and advocate for people with disabilities.

I think what makes this book different from others is, for me, if the author herself had not told me she was deaf-blind, I probably wouldn't have noticed right away. She doesn't let her disabilities hinder her in a way that keeps her from doing whatever it is that she needs or wants to do. She realizes that she may have to go the extra mile to get something done, but she's willing to do it. To prove to herself and to others that she's going to do all it takes to accomplish her goals. I think it sets the stage for the message she wants to send to people going through their own life hurdles.

Haben Girma overcame numerous challenges and did so with grace, dignity, and superb insight. And yet, despite all of these curveballs that life threw at her, she stayed the exact same. Never changing for anyone and keeping her personal stand in order to help others fight for the same, while working closely with Americans with Disabilities.

As someone who worked with a deaf-blind, elderly lady, it was very interesting reading from another's point of view. I tried to compare and contrast their struggles and I found that they approached things very differently. Haben, having been born this way, had to immediately learn how to navigate the world on her own terms. The elderly lady that I worked with, slowly lost her eyesight and hearing as she got older, over time. She was very bitter about it and didnt approach things in a good way. I just wonder if maybe she had been able to read this book (shes now deceased) if she mightve had a more positive outlook on her life. How precious each day was and is. That she has so much to live for and can do it, if shes able and willing to try.

I would like to review this book but am unable to download from NetGalley. Please advise. Thank you!

"Hagen" is the autobiographical story of Harvard's first deaf blind law school graduate. Her story, told in episodes from her childhood through professional life is one where she consistently proves that she could do what others said she couldn't, be it taking a college hike, learning to salsa dance from a blind instructor, or building a school in rural Mali. Now a disability rights advocate, who began her advocacy with demanding her college cafeteria provide an email menu that her computer could convert to Braille. She talks about a world designed for able-bodied people and the concept of "ableism." It's an eye-opening book, fairly short, and a rather easy read.

My first book of 2020! A quick one day read for me on my lazy January 1st. I enjoyed Haben’s story and her journey to get where she is today. I would have liked a few more details and more depth though to really get more of a feel for what she has been through, but that is probably just me being nosy.

Haben Girma has an incredible story, but I don't think this book was as good as it could be at telling that story. The writing style didn't work for me (felt more like something for young adults or kids) and the story didn't really flow together between chapters.

I really enjoyed this book, perfect for those who read biographies and Memoirs. This book was generously provided to me through NetGalley. Highly Recommended and Inspiring!