The DREAM Institute

Amazing Achievers: Living your purpose while overcoming adversities

About the Book

Introduction - JAMES MARTIN, Ph.D. Professor in Special Education, University of Oklahoma

All of us come into this world with certain challenges in our lives, but some people face challenges that are greater than many of us will ever experience or could even imagine.

Mr. Pratz uses the acronym HAPPY to highlight the Hopes, Attitudes, People, Places, and the You in each of the inspirational life stories including his own. Motivational and historical figures such as Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, Carl Brashear, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bob Dole, Bruce Jenner, Erik Weihenmayer, Dennis Byrd, Jim Stovall, Nate Waters, Rosemary Roberson, Kristy Long, and Charles Schusterman, beckon us to live life with purpose and determination. The author desires that you will come away from this book with a:

renewed Hope,

can-do positive Attitude,

recognition of the key People in your life,

knowledge of the Place you want to be and finding it,

realization that You can have a purposeful life.

What others are saying about the book!

"Amazing Achievers reminds us, when life throws a curve ball, never give up and believe that anything is possible!" ~Senator Bob Dole

“There is much truth in these stories of these men and women who refused to allow themselves to become victims and chose instead to be heroes” ~David L. Boren, President of the University of Oklahoma, Former U.S. Senator & Governor of Oklahoma

“Amazing Achievers truly inspires and gives hope to all those who have faced adversity and have had the courage to overcome...this book is a must read.” ~Jim Stovall, President of the Narrative Television Network

“The uplifting theme of this book will subtlety cause you to think about your goals, plans, and how you adjust to changing circumstances.” ~James Martin, Ph.D., Zarrow Endowed Professor in Special Education at the University of Oklahoma

"When reading the author's adversity plus the accounts of all others, readers can only be swayed to believe that adversity should hold no one from achieving success." ~Writer's Digest

The book is used in classrooms!

At the end of each story, there are application theory questions for the reader to use. Amazing Achievers makes a great text book to be used in the classroom as a tool to encourage students to overcome their adversities and maintain a renewed hope, as well as, a never give up attitude to achieve their goals in live.

Some responses from students…

"I found Amazing Achievers to be a book everyone should read. When I started reading it, I couldnąt put it down. I read the entire book the night I received it. I enjoyed reading about the characters in the book and how they overcame their disabilities." ~ Anonymous College Student, Liberal Arts Class at the University of Oklahoma

“…Bruce Jenner and Jim Stovall - Both of these men overcame disabilities to achieve great things. Things most people wouldnąt have attempted and things others would have never assumed they would achieve. While I do not have a disability, this book has motivated me that no matter what goals I set for myself, with hard work and determination I can achieve great things too." ~ Anonymous Student

About the Author

Rodney Bryan Pratz has been inspired to write this book from his personal experience with a disability from childhood. After being diagnosed with dyslexia, he was told he would never graduate from high school or college. Today he has a degree in international business and is working in the Midwest.

Mr. Pratz along with his co-founder Amazing Achiever Kristy Long formed The DREAM Institute, an organization dedicated to enriching and increasing the success of the college experience of students with disabilities through scholastic awards and mentorship. He is a motivational speaker to educators, students, classes, and organizations.

Proceeds from Book Sales

A percentage of book sales go to help support the Institute’s scholarship fund to help students attend Higher Education.