Foreword by Lou Nanne

In 2008, high school freshman Duke Pieper was poised to start as a varsity player on Hill-Murray High School varsity hockey team. With this recognition as a standout hockey player at such a young age, Pieper dreamed of going on to play in the National Hockey League. However, he never got the chance to take the ice as a defenseman. Before the first game began, he experienced headaches and vision problems. He soon learned that his symptoms were a result of a lesion that was causing bleeding in his brain.

Doctors informed him that his condition would require surgery—a surgery that 95% of patients do not survive. If he did survive, he would face possible paralysis. His dreams and spirit were certainly dashed as he came to realize that he would never play hockey again. Pieper survived his first surgery as well as multiple additional risky surgeries on his brain and spine. Even after the surgeries, his love for hockey remained strong, and he truly could not fathom living without it. I’m Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle, by Duke Pieper with Jim Bruton (Triumph Books, 2015), tells an inspirational story of how a young man, whose life was forever changed, not only survived but learned to thrive. Inspirational details in this book include:

• How Pieper relearned basic motor skills, from walking, running, balancing, breathing, eating, drinking and swallowing to writing and coloring
• Exclusive interviews with coaches, teachers and others who know Duke Pieper well
• Pieper’s experience dropping the puck in front of 18,000 fans at Xcel Energy Center
• Fifteen strategies for survival that could be helpful to just about anyone going through a difficult time

Inspirational, encouraging and miraculous, I’m Alive takes you on a journey that young athlete Duke Pieper faces with incredible courage. This title is perfect for somebody looking for inspiration on overcoming adversity.

Duke Pieper is a student at Bowling Green State University, working toward a degree in sports management with a minor in entrepreneurship. He is also a volunteer student coach with the Falcon hockey team, attending practices and games, watching videos, sitting in on team meetings and compiling stats for the coaching staff.

Books can be purchased in all major book stores, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com or by contacting the authors directly.

Duke Pieper –  mpieper@bgsu.edu  952-412-1140

Jim Bruton –    jamesjhbjr@comcast.net   651-398-4937

Website – imalivemiracle.com

— Mark Rosen, WCCO-TV Sports Anchor

The post I’m Alive appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.