Chapters 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1

Joni Eareckson dives into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. Her head rams into a large rock throwing her into a state of fear and confusion. Joni lands on her back on the bottom. She cannot move and determines that she must be caught in a fisherman's net. She is panicked as she is running out of air. Finally, her sister, Kathy, discovers her and pulls her out. Joni is frightened when she discovers she cannot feel anything below her shoulders. She begs her sister to hold her hand and is panicked when she realizes that her sister already is holding her hand.

The doctors decide Joni needs immediate surgery. She drifts in and out of consciousness after the operation. During this period, Joni experiences drug-induced hallucinations and nightmarish dreams and memories. In one recurring nightmare, an old...