A Life Worth Living

The Tragedies, Trials, and Triumphs of Terry Ann Fillio

The road of Terry Ann Fillio's life was filled with signs that read "Detour," "Do Not Enter," "Road Closed," and "Dead End." A bright, athletic, and extremely personable young girl, Terry’s life changed dramatically when she contracted poliomyelitis (polio) in 1952 at the age of nine. Researchers at the time had identified three specific strains of polio, and Terry was infected with all three of them, paralyzing her from the neck down for the rest of her life.

What you are about to read is her story, a story of paralysis, to be sure, but much more a story about how one person overcame incredible odds to become one of the greatest success stories this country has ever known. It's a story that must be told because it gives all of us the courage, hope, and determination we need to help us get through our own challenging times.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dennis Eller is a former secondary school English teacher and private school college counselor. He is a graduate of Concord High School and has both an undergraduate and a graduate degree from Ball State University. A Life Worth Living is Dennis' first book and is based on his first-hand knowledge and research of his cousin, Terry Fillio. Dennis is a US Army/Vietnam veteran and currently serves as the president of his homeowner's association. He is married to Gale (Fecher) Eller and has three grown children, Robyn (Grant), Karen (Greg), and Kyle (Heidi) as well as four grandchildren, Lilah, Leo, Fiona, and Milo. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he is active in the Chancel Choir of Trinity English Lutheran Church under the expert direction of Robert Hobby. He enjoys the arts, traveling, and playing as much golf as the northern Indiana weather begrudgingly allows.