Reviews
"There is so much to praise about this book.... You'll find yourself moved to emulate the examples of decency and dignity that grace these pages, and be inspired to serve others who may not have been so blessed. Read it and reap."
Sam Horn
14-time Emcee of the Maui Writers Conference
Author, POP! Stand Out in Any Crowd
“Kiss of a Dolphin is a remarkable
work. Tom Tuohy’s book does what I have been working to accomplish my
entire life. Not only is it a pleasure to read, but reminds us all that
kids can face so many disabling conditions on their way to growing
up—that poverty is no less immobilizing than conditions brought about by
illness or accident. In a single work, it embodies so many of the ideals
that the civil rights and advocacy movements of all types have been
striving for throughout
the past fifty years.
It is a story about courage and fear. Many people fear those with
disabilities: perhaps it is self-consciousness and a desire to not say
or do the wrong thing. Not only do the people at Dreams for Kids appear
to have no worries about doing the wrong thing, they seem to
have adopted the “can do” attitude so necessary to positive change.
And, they give everyone a place to start: the book encourages readers
to look at the person in the wheelchair or with a cane, to get past any
fear or self-consciousness, and start by saying “Hi.”
I love this book. I love it because Tom and his friends
understand, at the deepest possible level, that everyone is disabled, at
some time, in some way. It is clear the barriers Dreams for Kids remove
have less to do with adaptive equipment than with the opportunity
they give people to see themselves in a different way. And, it is
equally
clear that these opportunities are at least as valuable for the
volunteers,
as they are for the recipients.”
John Kemp
Past President, United States
International Council on Disabilities
1991 Inductee, Horatio Alger
Association of Distinguished Americans
"Tom Tuohy has done what I have been trying to do for years ... establish a way to meet each leader where they are and capture their heart compelling them to make a difference in someone else's life. This is the hallmark of great leaders.
Kiss of a Dolphin is one of the best Diversity and Inclusion books I have ever read. The diversity significance is a natural occurrence and not created by design. Once you read this book you will understand the profound inter-connectedness we share regardless of race, religion, life style choices, gender, etc. I believe the reason this book is having such an unbelievable impact on readers is the way Tom masterfully relays and honors the true stories of ordinary people - who have made extraordinary sacrifices as an investment in humanity. He gives the reader hope that one small act, one smile; one acknowledgement in the life of another human spirit can alter a life on a course of hopeless, to a life where anything is possible. Somehow he connects with each reader at a point in their own personal journey and ignites the passion to give back, to make a difference and to serve others. This service to others is what puts fulfillment into leadership. It's the answer to what many leaders are searching for. Through this book, leaders will accept the beautiful difference in each of us and the joy of discovering that the differences between us are much smaller than the differences amongst us.
Dreams for Kids shares the same mission as many great leaders past and present, from Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bill Gates to every day dolphins ... Jim Smith, Clara Kirk, Jessie White and many others ... making a difference one person at a time. Corporate leaders will benefit from reading this book and applying the concepts in their own workplaces and personal lives ... making an investment in humanity - one associate at a time."
Michelle W. Thomas
Director of Global Diversity
William Wrigley Jr. Company
“Little did I know that when I was given Kiss of a Dolphin that it was a gift that would change my life. This book is so overwhelmingly beautiful, with so many profoundly moving stories that touched my heart deeply. Kiss of a Dolphin teaches us, with indomitable spirit, that we all can strive to new heights…and truly make a difference in others lives. What greater legacy would we want?”
Carol Hamblet Adams
Author, My Beautiful Broken Shell
"Kiss of a Dolphin captures the
true embodiment
of humanity. This book inspires people to seek out the ‘extraordinary
in everyone they meet…to create a world, one community at a time,
that embraces all races, economic classes, cultures, and
abilities—realizing we are nothing without each other and that we all
have value…Kiss of a Dolphin is a vision of beauty, conviction,
and discipline...a way of life…This book brings honor, and character and
chivalry back to a culture in desperate need of purpose and meaning.”
Shawna Egan
President/CEO
Children’s Autism Center
“The Kiss of a Dolphin demonstrates the power each of us
has within us to briefly brighten, if not permanently enhance, the lives
of those facing severe limitations—be those economic, physical,
genetic, or developmental. “Limitations” is probably not the right word
as Tom Tuohy demonstrates that what seems impossible is, in fact,
readily achieved when we bring together our creativity and commitment to
the belief that anything is possible. If you don’t go to sleep dreaming
about where you fit in, it’s probably because you’re still awake reading
it.”
Jack Ryan
President/CEO
Little Friends, Inc.
“It is hard for me to remember when I read a book that hooked me from page one, and did not let me put it down until I devoured every word. This book touched me on so many levels. Kiss of a Dolphin is a book about the power of love...love that does not distinguish between giver and receiver…Tom Tuohy clearly knows that power and speaks about it with such unflinching honesty, I found myself unable to look way. As a culture, our attention drifts too often to what is wrong about the world. Reading this book will remind anyone about all that is right.”
Andrea Patten
Co-author, What Kids Need to Succeed
Four Foundations to Adult Achievement
“Tom Tuohy’s Kiss of a Dolphin is an outstanding piece of work
which gives real life examples of how people with
disabilities—particularly when reached early in their lives—can reach
their full potential, whatever level it may be. It also demonstrates
what a single person can do for so many others if he or she has the
idea, commitment,
and perseverance to see that idea through to success, regardless of the
many obstacles that may appear.”
Don Moss
Executive Director, United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois
Lifelong advocate for persons with disabilities
“Kiss of a Dolphin is a powerful book of true love and compassion that does not focus on a person’s disability, but rather his or her ability. This book is a living example of the real power of giving and exemplifies the words of Easter Seals founder Edgar F. Allen, who said in 1922, “You have but one life. We get nothing out of that life except by putting something in it. To relieve suffering, to help the unfortunate, to do kind acts and deeds is, after all, the one sure way to secure happiness or to achieve real success. Your life and mine shall be valued, not by what we take…but by what we give.”
F. Timothy Muri
President, CEO
Easter Seals, Metropolitan Chicago
"Powerful. This is a book that forever re-frames your perspective on life and no matter how much you give, inspires you to do more. After reading this once you'll make time to re-read it at lest once a year."
John P. Strelecky
Author, International Best Seller, The Why Cafe
"In a world of great diversity, this amazing book will inspire you to truly make a lasting difference in our time and will provide a roadmap to personal fulfillment and true success."
David Herro
Chief Investment Officer of International Equities
at Harris Associates
Portfolio Manager of The Oakmark International Fund
Click here to purchase "Kiss of a Dolphin!"
Last updated on:
01.16.2007