Professor, wheelchair basketball star write book
Released: April 22, 2008
Cover of "Wheelchair Warrior"
A story of tragedy turned triumph is now available for readers. "Wheelchair Warrior," written by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate Melvin Juette and UW-Whitewater professor of sociology Ron Berger is a sociological memoir about race, class, masculinity and identity.
The book took Berger and Juette several years to write. It details the life of Juette, a former Chicago gang member whose paralysis from a gunshot wound was what Juette describes as both "the best and worst thing that ever happened to him.” The tragedy transformed him into a college student at UW-Whitewater with a passion for wheelchair basketball, ultimately becoming a star athlete and playing on the U.S. National Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Berger describes the memoir as a “compelling story that takes the reader into the world of urban street gangs and elite wheelchair athletics.” Juette’s experiences are framed into sociological context, showing how larger social structural forces defined them.
“Melvin’s resiliency in the face of adversity shows us all that we can cope with and reconcile even the worst of what we think life can offer,” said Berger.
Juette is currently the community service coordinator of the Deferred Prosecution Unit of the Dane County District Attorney's Office in Madison. He hopes readers take away a great lesson of inspiration and hope when they read "Wheelchair Warrior."
"The book is a way for me to acknowledge those who helped turn my dreams into reality," said Juette. "It's a way for me to give back by helping someone else fulfill their dreams, and realize that regardless of their circumstances they can achieve their goals."
"Wheelchair Warrior" is now available for purchase at Amazon.com and through Temple University Press at www.temple.edu/tempress.
- Katie Rankin,rankinkd12@uww.edu
