MORE THAN A CONQUEROR LEGACY: BOOK REVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE THAN A CONQUEROR LEGACY

A BOOK BY BILL HAUN

REVIEWED BY JAMES MYERS

 

ISBN-13: 978-1546992394

ISBN-10: 1546992391

 

          I recently had the great pleasure of reading a book by my good friend and colleague, Bill Hahn.  Spiritual, emotional, personal, revealing, this is a good read, even if you are not interested in kidney/organ donation.  This book is about one man’s journey from life-altering loss, to near death, to rebirth and making the journey a blessing to others.  In his Forward to the book, Congressman Posey’s message says it best:  Despite all odds that Hahn encounters, Bill is a tireless advocate for organ donation, and just from his tone, you realize that the Surfpro is a guy that get things done; a bottom line overachiever.

         

          Bill takes great care in telling us his story.  This book with its spiritual confessions, videos, poem and even music tells the story in detailed, heartfelt honesty and precision.  This is a story about a professional surfer, fit, healthy, competitive, who suffers from kidney failure and subsequent loss.  It is in the Christian way that he responds to the drastic changes in his life that makes this book special.  Imagine one day your ripping up waves in Florida, and days later you’re in the hospital getting a fistula installed and placed on dialysis due to diabetes followed quickly by End Stage Renal Disease.  

 

          Time passes, once, twice he is called for a new kidney, only to be turned away.  But the third time, Bill gets THE CALL! He is reborn, transplanted, given back to us. 9 years and counting, Bill has been given new life.  He calls this his New Year’s Eve Miracle, a gift from God.  This blessing reminds Bill that he has overcome much in his journey; total blindness, comas, seizures, heart attacks and cancer. Prayers answered, Bill has become a world class Kidney/Organ Donation Advocate.  He has done much to honor his New Gift of Life, Including:

·        The Annual Footprints in the Sand Kidney Walk for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida;

 

·        The Starfish Donor Mom Tribute Dinner;

 

·        Helping Dialysis Patients Understand They are not Alone;

 

·        Inspiration for Those That Have Just Received a Donated Organ;

 

·        Establishing May 13^th as Florida Living Donor Day;

 

·        Writing the Song, Surfer’s Story, Now in the Library of Congress;

 

·        Responsible for the Dedication of the Hahn House Museum in Wisconsin;

 

·        Responsible for the Dedication of the Great Sauk State Trial and Life River Walk to be completed in 2018.

 

Bill has dedicated his life to others.  This book, much like the man, is an amazing testament to his determination, hard work and faith. It is sensitive and inciteful.  Just check out all the You Tube videos that go with each and every chapter of this book. Prayers, music, interviews, poems, and live events, showing the heart and soul of this Christian Kidney/Organ Donation Advocate. The strength, selflessness and sensitivity to the needs of others are the essence of Bill Hahn. This book is a vivid reflection of this great man.