Book review: Unstoppable in Stilettos

I do not wear stilettos. A two inch heel? Sure, if it is a decent diameter. Walk down all the steps of the Greek Colosseum in them? Not on your life. Not the case for Lauren Ruotolo. Not only does she sport spikey high stilettos, she is tromping about the Greek Colosseum in them … on crutches! Unstoppable in Stilettos is the name of her book, and she is definitely that.

Lauren was born with McCune-Albright Syndrome, which stopped her growth at 4′ 2″, along with medical conditions that threatened to confine her to a wheelchair for her entire life. But that is not what Unstoppable in Stilettos is about. Obviously, this enters into the book, but the focus is how to be Unstoppable in life. How to go for the gusto and live life to the fullest, no matter what challenges are thrown your way.

What surprised me the most was Lauren’s incredible wisdom for someone so young. I’m forty-seven and some of Lauren’s insights are fairly recent for me. The woman is in her mid-thirties! But, then again, at the tender age of five she made a monumental decision for herself. She was going to walk. No wheelchair for her. Period.End.Of.Discussion. And she is walking. Rather, she is boogie-ing.

It could have been very easy for Lauren to turn this into an advocacy for the rights and challenges of being handicapped. But handicapped implies being held back because of something, and there is nothing holding her back. Instead, this is a book about anyone’s right to be unstoppable.

Unstoppable in getting a job. Yes, Lauren was turned down for many jobs after she graduated once they saw her in person. But, how many of us have been turned down, subtly or not, because we are too old, weigh too much, are not stylish enough, or … horrors … we are female? Lauren didn’t stop. She got a job, which led to an exciting career she is passionate about.

Unstoppable in love. Yes, Lauren made a poor choice and was used by someone who claimed to love her. But, how many of us have been in relationships that have left us shaking our heads and questioning if love is even worth it? Lauren didn’t stop. She found someone who loves her for exactly who she is.

Unstoppable in accepting our bodies. Yes, Lauren is only 4′ 2″ and has parts of her body that bother her from her condition and numerous surgeries. But how many of us look in the mirror and list off all the features we would love to change? Lauren didn’t stop. She hunts down those Jimmy Choos like a lioness, and she struts her stuff literally on Red Carpets.

I love Lauren’s writing style. It’s conversational, but she does not pull any punches. She has a been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, let’s move on attitude, and she expects the same from us. That’s my type of gal. Acknowledge the challenge then for goodness sake do something about it.

Unstoppable in Stilettos is refreshing and funny. And it is to the point. No fluffy stuff. Lauren makes every word count.

Just like she makes every moment count. In stilettos.

You can find more about Lauren Ruotolo and Unstoppable in Stilettos at http://www.laurenruotolo.com/

The book review was sponsored by TLC Book Tours.

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