Ushered Out of Darkness

Born with a severe hearing impairment, author Mike Garrigan learned to be a highly-competitive fighter early on, with a never-give-up attitude, which was usually enough to overcome the challenges and struggles he faced in his early years. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the unexpected storm that bore down on him as he entered his college years. A routine eye exam resulted in the diagnosis of an incurable disease, which hit him like a hurricane as he struggled to understand it. He learned that the disease, Usher Syndrome Type II, would slowly rob him of his vision and eventually result in blindness. His future appeared to be over before it had even begun. After graduating from college, Garrigan moved from the Midwest to Atlanta, Georgia, to pursue a career. Garrigan decided to try to take control of his future, press forward in his own strength, and fight for the normal life he had always imagined. His disease, however, had other plans. As he marched toward blindness, he found himself taken by surprise once again. No one had prepared him for a storm of another kind: Garrigan found himself vulnerable and trapped in the miserable dark hole of depression, hopelessness, and suffering. Then something happened that changed everything. How could this pivotal moment possibly offer a way out of the trap he found himself in? How could joy and hope for the future spring forth again? Readers will find these answers and inspiration in Garrigan's USHERED OUT OF DARKNESS. Mike Garrigan is a graduate of Ohio University and worked in the technology field for most of his career. He is the father of two daughters and lives in Anderson, SC, with his wife, Becky, and guide dog: a golden retriever named Fuzz.