Lately, it seems that our community has experienced the untimely loss of several young individuals, making it an appropriate time to delve into this book. Jake Bailey grabbed headlines around the world when he delivered a rousing speech from a wheelchair at his Christchurch school’s end of year prize giving in 2015. It was a most inspirational speech delivered at a time in Jake’s life when he was literally facing death.
In his latest book, The Comeback Code, Jake opens up about the power of resilience when the going gets tough. I knew a little about his story, but I didn’t realise just how close he was to death’s door so I was keen to read about his experiences facing such a major crisis at a young age.
And yes, there are so many books out there that are written by people who have experienced adversity and won. They all have inspirational stories to tell about how to find the positive when faced with the very worst of what life can throw at you. But I feel the majority of these books talk to a more mature reader. Jake’s book really connects with a younger demographic. Those in their twenties that need to learn now, how to overcome events that will inevitably happen through their lives and make the best of the only opportunity they have to give life a crack.
Jake writes as a young man with the wisdom of an old soul, offering a perspective on life that we should all strive to embrace, regardless of our age. This book should be in every high school library in the country!
