| About Carlana |
A beautiful, successful and privileged seventeen-year-old, Carlana Stone Lawson had it all: she was a gymnast, cheerleader and president of her class. In a moment of bad judgment, she got into a car with some friends in Dallas, Texas, after a night of drinking. A terrible accident occurred, and everyone walked away unscathed except for Carlana, who never walked again..
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| Sunday, October 16, 2005 |
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Book Signing Tours : Inspirational Interactive Connections
The past few weeks have been crazy, but I do enjoy a challenge! I started my book tour, defied a ghost from my past, and met some incredible people - but hey, it's all in a day's work!
My friends Gail Bershon and Evelyn Bernstein hosted my very first book signing at the home of Evelyn and Bill Bernstein in Bel Air, California. There were about 60 people there, most of whom I didn't even know. My coauthor, John DiRienzo, my sister Karen, and her husband Jimmy all flew in from out of town to be there with me for this special occasion. Of course my husband, John, was there too, video camera in-hand.
It was such a magical and emotional event. I read some favorite excerpts and fielded lots of questions about the book. I broke down in tears more times that I can count, but I think that shows just how genuine everything really is. I looked out at the group a few times and saw that people in the audience had tears in their eyes right along with me. I underestimated just how vulnerable I would feel putting myself and my story out there for all to see. I really put everything on the table in this book! Wow!
The book signing at the Bernsteins' was a great start for the first leg of my book tour, the response really fueled my desire to get out there and show more people what I have done, and what they can accomplish!
I did another book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek. It was my very first signing in a book store full of strangers in a different town. As I began to speak, there were about 10 people or so that sat down to listen to the story for a while. But by the end, over 50 people had convened around me! Many of them bought the book and interacted with me and each other, sharing their own stories of overcoming adversity. There was even a woman from Greece who shared her memories of WWII and a Russian girl who was only 14. She said she was made fun of at school and that she was inspired by what she had heard but couldn't afford to buy the book so I just gave her one. One guy actually asked me for the poster from the front of the store. When he asked me to autograph it, I wrote "FIRE YOUR THERAPIST AND WRITE A BOOK!" He laughed and said he was going to put it up at work to encourage people to buy the book and spread the word.
On a layover in Dallas on my way to Louisiana, the on-site shuttle bus driver and I had such a nice visit as he drove me out to meet the plane. I have to transfer onto one of those aisle chairs because my wheelchair won't fit down the aisles, so I boarded before everyone else. The bus driver waved goodbye, and I settled in as everyone else filed onto the plane. Before we took off, the driver came back with a couple of other employees to tell me he was going to buy a book for his aunt and sister-in-law. The flight attendant told me it was the first time she had ever seen him smile. That made me feel really great!
In Shreveport at the Red River Revel, I met Keith Badeaux from New Orleans, who told me his story of being a two-time evacuee. When Hurricane Katrina hit, he packed up his car with as all he could fit and left New Orleans for Texas, but had to hitch a ride to Lake Charles, LA when his car broke down an hour later. Katrina had completely obliterated his home, so FEMA put him up in a hotel, but it wasn't long before Hurricane Rita ripped the roof off of that hotel and forced him out again. He hitched a ride to Shreveport with a group of strangers, and is now living at the Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport with over a thousand other evacuees. Now in the aftermath of this tragedy I have met a lot of people from my home town of Shreveport and beyond, and I have to say that Keith is one of the most positive people I have ever met. When Marla, the assistant news director from the NBC affiliate, came to visit me at the Revel, I knew I had to introduce her to Keith, and we all put our heads together to try and help Keith start his life again. He fixes outboard motors for a living, but was willing to do anything to be able to get back on his feet. He wasn't looking for any kind of handout, but knew that a job was the best way to get started. Before I left Shreveport, Keith came to say goodbye and told me he was on his way to a job interview! In the wake of a huge tragedy, Keith remained positive and truly celebrated what he had left instead of mourning all he had lost. We all have so much to learn from a person like Keith. I will definitely stay in touch with him and follow his progress.
I thank fate for crossing my path with his.
I also did a lot of media in Shreveport at all of the major stations there. A high school friend, Mike Sieve, hooked me up with an awesome radio spot. I got to do an interview with him on KEEL-AM and then we did a half-hour with a couple of really funny guys. During my stay, Teddy Allen from the Shreveport Times even wrote an article on me.
My trip to Miami can only be described as surreal.
As soon as I set foot within city limits, I broke down. Why?
I'm still not sure. I was under the impression that I had dealt with everything as far as my abusive relationship I mean, I really thought I had put that one to bed - but obviously I hadn't. The thought that my story was out there in the city where so much history had taken place was really hitting me hard. Until I wrote this book, my abusive relationship was something I took extra care to hide from so many. Now, not only did I know, but people around me knew and that meant HE did too. My story was public property! I thought I felt vulnerable at the first book signing, but this was something entirely different. I guess I'd be lying if I said I didn't fear the possibility that he might see me on TV, or read about me and show up at one of the signings. I called my husband John and cried my heart out. I was practically hyperventilating! I didn't understand why all of this stuff was resurfacing. He reminded me that I was a survivor and assured me that everything was going to be fine. Just knowing that he was only a phone call away made me feel so much better.
Afterwards, I talked to my parents and my mom offered to fly down, but I knew I could get through it on my own. I ended up doing spots on NBC, ABC and a few radio stations, too. I put myself out there and felt that vulnerability, but I managed to stay and accomplish everything I set out to do and more!
I was positively ECSTATIC to come home to LA and my gorgeous husband, but my work was nowhere near over. In fact, the evening I got back I was dog-tired, but I got off the plane and drove straight to an interview for a job as a producer for a new show on NBC. It's all very hush-hush for now, but I'll let you know all about it as soon as the show gets the green light! Afterwards I drove to my favorite sushi place (Yoshi's in West Hollywood) to pick up dinner for myself and my husband. He was working the night shift, so I drove to Warner Bros. to have dinner with him and get a few much needed hugs (and kisses, too)!
Oh it's sooooo nice to be home!
Kiss Kiss~
Carlana
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4 Comments:
Hi Carlana,
Yours is certainly an inspiring story. I was wondering if faith in God has had anything to do with your journey thus far. What are your religious beliefs?
Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and the website… In response to your question, I consider myself to be a very spiritual person. My faith in both myself and in humanity has absolutely everything to do with my journey thus far, and with the journey I continue every day of my life. I really believe that God is love, and that love is the foundation of all good things in life.
Yours,
Carlana
If you got any sexier Webster's would have to officially redefine the word!
Carlana,
We were fortunate to meet your sister, Karen, when she was in Calif. for your first book signing. We feel like we were at the party! Karen shared your story and your book with great passion and love. Your book is filled with inspiration from the heart - a must read for everyone as they journey through life. Best always
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