Scars of Faith and Courage, A Life Forever Changed
Memoir
Date Published: February 23, 2023
Publisher: Mindstir Media
Standing on Positive Ground is the heartfelt, inspiring true story of Tony V Rodriguez, whose astonishing tragedies and triumphs span a lifetime. It is an unrivaled testament to survival, faith, and the indomitable human spirit.
Before Tony was three years old, he experienced two car accidents, one that nearly cost him his life and permanently changed him physically and mentally. His family, unable to afford the critical extensive care, prayed for a miracle. Answered prayers came through his community, God, and organizations such as the Shriner's Burns Hospital. Since then, he has survived two near-death experiences, ten auto accidents, three motorcycle accidents, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cancer, a stroke, multiple innovative plastic surgeries, disfigurement discrimination, and two divorces.
Through all these extraordinary challenges, Tony also experienced how truly kind people could be, along with the support of the heavenly realm. He knew that he was never alone on his arduous journey.
Standing on Positive Ground is filled with tragic as well as joyous outcomes. Join Tony as he shares his personal journey, including how he rises above tremendous circumstances and ultimately lives a life of accomplishment and positivity.
It is Tony's greatest hope that his life story uplifts and brings inspiration to the reader.
Praise for Standing on Positive Ground
"Powerful and brave, heart-wrenching and heartwarming, Standing on Positive Ground shows that pain can be indiscriminate, but so too can perseverance. In this remarkable story, Tony V Rodriguez shares the trials that knocked him down and the strength used to pick himself back up-repeatedly. Inside these pages is an anthem to all those who have faced life's toughest challenges and a testament to those with the heart to fight back."
- J.J. Hebert, USA Today bestselling author
INTERVIEW
1. What is the underlying message of your book?
The underlying message of my book
is that everyone can embrace the positives in life, as well as learn from the
negatives and let them go.
No matter what challenges life
may place in one’s path, everyone has a choice in how to relate to them, and
they do not have to face things alone.
2. What genre would you describe
your book as?
My book would be in the
non-fictional memoir genre since it is a true story based on my life
experiences through the eyes of a survivor.
3. What’s ONE exciting thing
about your book you want the whole world to know?
I am a survivor, having faced
countless life challenges, unforgettable events, and persistent obstacles, and
I came out of it all with a positive perspective on life.
4. Briefly describe a few key
points from your book that you’d like included in your press release (for
fiction, these can be plot points that may entice readers; for nonfiction,
these can be major topics covered).
My book is a true story that is
written on my body…and lives in my heart. From the age of two, physical
deformities have challenged me and my entire life, preventing me from having
any kind of so-called ‘normal’ existence. Adding to this immense
challenge, I experienced and survived the physical and emotional traumas of
twelve car accidents, three motorcycle accidents, cancer, rheumatic fever, and
a stroke, as well as endured a whopping sixty-six surgeries throughout.
Just as incredibly, I also had just as extraordinary spiritual experiences
through three near-death experiences, several angelic encounters, and endless
conversations with God, Jesus, and other heavenly beings. I didn’t always
understand what God’s plan was for me, but I feel that these astonishing
experiences were given to me as a gift so that I could share my journey with
others to offer inspiration and hope.
5. How has your background
influenced you to write this book?
Since my life is based on
survivorship and blessings in many forms, I deeply feel that I can share my
story with others in hopes of inspiring, empowering, and uplifting their lives.
6. What are a few adjectives
you’d use to describe your book to a stranger?
Inspiring, moving, insightful,
motivating, factual, engaging, meaningful, suspenseful, powerful,
non-fictional, heartfelt, first-person, page-turner, Spiritual, heartwarming
7. What about your book makes you
the most excited?
I am most excited to reach out to
people of all ages on a Survivor level and to let them know that they are not
alone in whatever struggles or mishaps life has brought to them, all in the
hope of lifting and inspiring them.
8. If someone were searching
online for a book like yours, what keywords might they use?
Spiritual, motivational,
non-fiction, true story, memoir, inspirational, uplifting, burn victim, burn
survivor, scars, surviving, cancer survivor, Shriners Burns Hospital, Shriners,
Masons, burn reconstruction plastic surgery, positivity, heartwarming,
heart-wrenching, perseverance, remarkable, challenging, inspiring, meaningful,
powerful, page-turner, factual, healing, empower, enlightening, persevere,
resilience, love, determination, positive thinking, miracles, divine events,
divine intervention, angels, help, DUI victim, self-help, spiritual guidance,
survival, empowerment
About the Author
Tony V Rodriguez has experienced many tragedies and blessings in his life. Born in 1966, in beautiful Bartow, Florida, he is the son of interracial parents who supported their family as migrant workers. Before Tony turned three years old, he would survive two separate car accidents, one that nearly claimed his life. Because of serious and life-threatening injuries, Tony spent most of his childhood in hospitals, undergoing many complex surgeries meant to shape and repair his severely disfigured face. Due to many factors, he lived with shame, negativity, and depression. The heaviness of the negativity weighed upon him, and he eventually decided those feelings would not serve him. With his determination, heavenly blessings, strength, and positive attitude, he was able to rise above these extraordinary circumstances to become an inspiration to others whom he has met along the way.
At the time of printing this book, in his mid 50’s, Tony has so far survived three near-death experiences, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cancer, stroke, disfigurement and discrimination, twelve auto accidents, three motorcycle accidents, and sixty-six surgeries. Tony’s faith combined with the acts of kindness by many caring individuals has remarkably allowed him to live a mainstream life.
After obtaining an Associate Degree in Computer Engineering Technology, Tony began his professional career as an Electronic Technician for a government-contracted company. Seven years later, in 1995, he accepted an offer from Intel Corporation, located in Arizona, where he enjoyed an Electronic Technician career until he would be forced to medically retire after twenty-one years of service.
Tony enjoys playing video games on his computer or PlayStation 5, visiting classic car shows, listening to music, reading his bible, enjoying time with the heavenly realm, spending time with his wife, and keeping in touch with friends and family. He owns a 1967 Chevy Camaro, the car of his dreams.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
No comments: