Zebra Stripes

Ila Hall chronicles her life with wit, wisdom, poignancy, and joy. “I don’t want no cripple for a daughter.” Her father’s words, harshly spoken to seven-year-old Ila after an accident in her own backyard, haunted her for years, yet his inability to accept her weakness turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In an effort to prove her worthiness, young Ila learned to walk and even, secretly, to run again. Those first defiant steps produced a lifelong inner strength she needed all too often–as an athlete, a wife and mother, and a unique person who knew she deserved to pursue her dreams. In this tender, unflinching memoir, Ila Hall eventually shakes free from her submissive, abused childhood to become a confident adult who knows her metaphorical zebra stripes–which often run contrary to the norm–are beautiful, unique, and worthy of unconditional love.