Overview

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.

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9780997944846

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Reviews

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

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, its must-read that helps all of us see how we see others. Paul D'Angelo, PhD, 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

Author Information

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 is espresso... and lots of it. www.embracingyourdifferences.com Now I See - A Trailer https: //youtu.be/H9yNxmdcnMo Retrieved from: http: //www.kevinhinesstory.com/bio/ In September 2000, Kevin Hines leapt off the Golden Gate Bridge, a method of suicide attempt that has resulted in death for most of the 2000 people who have made that jump since the bridge was erected in 1937. But Kevin survived. He survived, and in the 16 years since his nearly fatal try, Kevin has become the bridge between the many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, spouses, friends, and loved ones who made a similar acts. Each doing what they did to put an end to unimaginable suffering-and those left behind, wondering why? What could we have done to help? Even further, Hines, in sharing his story, is fostering a critical bridge of hope between life and death for people caught in the pain of living with serious mental illness, difficult life circumstances, and more. His refreshing honesty, realism, advocacy, and appreciation of the complex conditions that contribute to mental illness is a much-needed guiding like through the darkness of societal stigma and discrimination. I know that each and every one of you will take something away from hearing Kevin's story. He has so many important messages to share about coping and seeking support networks to bolster us through crisis, in order to find the purpose, the meaning in surviving and thriving. In the words of Nietzsche: He who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW. I hope that hearing Kevin's story helps you find your WHY. Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt Assistant Professor Chair of Psychology Bryn Athyn College, Bryn Athyn, PA He is one of only thirty-six (less than 1%) to survive the fall and he is the only Golden Gate Bridge jump survivor who is actively spreading the message of living mentally healthy around the globe. In 2016, Mental Health America awarded Kevin their highest honor, The Clifford W. Beers Award for his efforts to improve the lives of and attitudes toward people with mental illnesses. Previously, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Council of Behavioral Health in partnership with Eli Lilly. Kevin has also been awarded by SAMSHA as a Voice Awards Fellow and Award Winner, an Achievement Winner by the US Veterans Affairs and received over 30 U.S. military excellence medals as a civilian. Kevin sits on the boards of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), the Bridge Rail Foundation (BRF) and the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHASF) and on the Survivors Committee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Previously, he was a board member of the Northern California Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and was a two-term member of San Francisco's Mental Health Board. He has spoken in congressional hearings alongside Patrick Kennedy in support of The Mental Health Parity Bill. He continues his policy work as an Ambassador to the National Council for Behavioral Health. In the summer of 2013, Kevin released his bestselling memoir titled Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After A Suicide Attempt. He is currently producing a documentary entitledSuicide: The Ripple Effect. Kevin's will to live and stay mentally well has inspired people worldwide. His compelling story has touched diverse, global audiences within colleges and universities, high schools, corporations, clergy, military, clinicians, health and medical communities, law enforcement organizations, and various industries. Thousands have communicated to Hines that his story helped save their lives. He has reached millions with his story. His story was featured in the 2006 film The Bridge by the film director and producer Eric Steel. Kevin believes in the power of the human spirit and in the fact that you can find the ability to live mentally well. His mantra: Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always. www.kevinhinesstory.com Retrieved from: http: //www.joshuarivedal.com/about.html Josh Rivedal moved from New Jersey to New York City at the age of 21 to tackle the world of fame, fortune, and the Broadway stage...in what he thought would be a stepping stone to Hollywood and a star on the walk of fame. Eight years later and through a series of remarkable life events, a bad economy, and mixture of collegiate and self-education; Josh reinvented himself as an international public speaker, author, playwright, theatre producer, educator, marketing consultant, and arts entrepreneur. See his professional bio for details, and his book The Gospel According to Josh: A 28-Year Gentile Bar Mitzvah for the full story. He's a mixture of creative and logic, business and pleasure, local-centric and global minded. As a public speaker his primary focus is on suicide prevention; speeches and seminars on his experiences as a survivor of loss, an attempt survivor, and youth suicide prevention-often (but not always) paired with his one-man show Kicking My Blue Genes in the Butt (based on his book The Gospel According to Josh) He also speaks on diversity, mental health, arts marketing, small business marketing, (arts) entrepreneurship, and resiliency paired with improv theater. Through Artful Coaching Resources, he aims to help small business owners and artist entrepreneurs build their careers and businesses to profitability and to the size and style they prefer. Through his partnership with Skookum Hill, a publishing, consultancy, and theatre production firm that creates and acquires entertainment through film, print, and theatre-he creates content that inspires, educates, entertains, and transforms. As founder and executive director of The i'Mpossible Project, he provides advocacy, entertainment, seminars, and peer-to-peer education on suicide prevention, mental health, storytelling, and diversity. He has previously served on the board of directors for the New York City chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and is currently an advisory board member for Elijah's Journey: A Jewish Response to Suicide Prevention. Fun Facts about Josh: He's been singing since the age of 6. He used to serve in the Civil Air Patrol in 6th and 7th grades, and nearly became a pilot till he discovered his fear of heights. He has spoken professionally in 32 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces, England, and Australia. He loves reading blogs on marketing and business Bacon is his favorite food group

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