To Exist As I Am: A Doctor's Notes on Recovery and Radical Acceptance

A young doctor's life-affirming story of near-death, recovery and radical acceptance

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2026

'One of the most powerful medical memoirs of recent years' WATERSTONES

'Astonishing, important, and truly radical ... this book is completely transformative' POLLY MORLAND

'A beautiful, powerful, indelible read. Superb' RACHEL CLARKE, Guardian

It wasn't a car crash, but there was a collision. He fell from the third floor.

At the age of twenty-two, Grace Spence Green's spine was broken at the fourth thoracic vertebra, and her life changed tracks. One day, she was in hospital supporting patients, the next she was one.

To Exist As I Am traces Grace's journey back to the wards and back to herself.

Through her extraordinary story, she asks how we might fight for change, and shift how we think about disability - while joyously embracing life exactly as we are.

'Essential reading' XAND VAN TULLEKEN

'Inspiring and life-affirming' VIV GROSKOP

'Unputdownable, awe-inspiring, necessary' GABRIEL WESTON

'Surrendering to what happens to us, to find joy and meaning in spite of it, is the bravest and most wise choice we can make and this book is an extraordinary one to inspire just that' MIRANDA HART