Kika & Me – Dr Amit Patel
Our Book of the Month for April is “Kika & Me: How One Extraordinary Dog Changed My World” by Inspirational Speaker, Dr Amit Patel
ABOUT THE BOOK
Dr Amit Patel is working as a trauma doctor when a rare condition causes him to lose his sight within thirty-six hours. Totally dependent on others and terrified of stepping outside with a white cane after he’s assaulted, he hits rock bottom. He refuses to leave home on his own for three months. With the support of his wife Seema he slowly adapts to his new situation, but how could life ever be the way it was? Then his guide dog Kika comes along . . .
But Kika’s stubbornness almost puts her guide dog training in jeopardy – could her quirky personality be a perfect match for someone? Meanwhile Amit has reservations – can he trust a dog with his safety? Paired together in 2015, they start on a journey, learning to trust each other before taking to the streets of London and beyond. The partnership not only gives Amit a renewed lease of life but a new best friend. Then, after a video of an irate commuter rudely asking Amit to step aside on an escalator goes viral, he sets out with Kika by his side to spread a message of positivity and inclusivity, showing that nothing will hold them back.
From the challenges of travelling when blind to becoming a parent for the first time, Kika & Me is the moving, heart-warming and inspirational story of Amit’s sight-loss journey and how one guide dog changed his world.
‘An incredible story of courage, perseverance and, ultimately love’ – Sun
‘The most moving book of the year’ – The Lady
ABOUT DR AMIT PATEL
Dr Amit Patel is an author, disability rights campaigner, motivational speaker and independent accessibility consultant. He is registered severely sight impaired (blind) having lost his sight to keratoconus in 2013.
During medical school, Amit was diagnosed with keratoconus, a condition which changes the shape of your corneas, but which is usually easily treated with a corneal transplant.
However, Amit was one of the rare individuals for whom the transplants rejected and despite travelling to the US for ground-breaking surgery, Amit lost his sight completely just one year after getting married.
Amit is a passionate and inspiring motivational speaker. In his keynotes he takes audiences from laughter to tears and back to laughter again, bringing them with him on a heartfelt journey of change and determination. As a role model within the ethnic minority and disabled communities, Amit can speak articulately and from experience on the intersection of race, class and disability. Amit speaks frequently on the topics of mental health, coping with lifechanging situations and overcoming the challenges that life may throw at you.
For more information on Dr Amit speaking work please visit his webpage or to order the copy of the book please visit the amazon website