Soon-to-be eleven year old asthmatic and traumatized Sammy is told that he must leave his family for two years. No face-to-face contact is allowed while he's institutionalized in the Denver, Colorado asthma facility. Sammy faces many changes such as being sent away from his family, learning English, attending an American school, and developing friends in a new country. His courage and resiliency help him to adjust to the challenges that lie ahead. He talks to a kind Psychologist who gently peels away Sammy's defenses-one layer at a time. He soon discovers that his cure is being away from his troubled family life. Sammy completes his two years residence, and he's not had one asthma attack. He learns to box and even appears on Pee Wee television boxing. By doing arts and crafts projects he learns about the Native American culture. He has many new friends and even emerges as a leader among the boys. After two years, Sammy is deemed healthy and is ready to be reunited with his family. While his asthma gone, so is his native language, Hebrew. Sammy, now an adolescent, returns to Israel. He reunites and is fond of a girl he once knew in earlier grades. The grandfather he idolizes is not the same man as his health is failing. His parents announce the family's impending departure to America. New challenges lie ahead namely, leaving his ailing grandfather, a girlfriend and his many friends. When the family immigrates to New York on the SS ZION, Sammy wonders if he will ever see his grandparents and Soshana (Rose). He concocts a plan to return to Israel but will it work?
About the Author: Sam Sterk's life experiences with asthma, abuse and neglect in his family of origin as well as multiple family separations helped shape this manuscript. During the first ten years of his life he was hospitalized anywhere from ten to thirteen times each year. Sam Sterk, Ph.D. holds a master's in Social Work, a post Masters Advanced Social Work Practice certificate from Columbia University, a doctorate in Psychology, postgraduate training in Psychoanalysis and Hypnosis. Sam Sterk, Ph.D. has been a presenter at several national conferences on Hypnosis and Sport Psychology topics. His training as a therapist began while learning to cope with psychological issues in his own family life. His empathic and loving grandfather helped him become the person he is. Sam Sterk, Ph.D, is the Director of Peak Performance Plus, LLC, located in Scottsdale, Arizona and provides Counseling, Hypnosis and Sport Psychology Services. The website is: www.peakplusaz.com and Dr. Sterk can be reached at: 480-767-0956. Sam Sterk, Ph.D. has two grown professional children and five grandchildren. His daughter, Dahlia Maskin is a talented Physician Assistant working in a medical setting. She is the mother of two of our grandchildren. Her Husband, Dr. Erik Maskin is a hospitalist at John C. Lincoln Hospital. Sam Sterk's son is Dr. Ethan Sterk, is a physician, board certified in Emergency room and Internal medicine working for Layola University hospital In Chicago. Anna Shilov Sterk, my daughter-in-law, is the mother of three of our grandchildren and she is a successful attorney. Anna helped review the manuscript for possible spelling errors. Miriam Sterk, LCSW is a talented Psychotherapist and a consultant on Healthcare Advocacy matters. She has successfully placed older adults in appropriate levels of care facilities. In his spare time Sam Sterk enjoys travelling, hiking, reading, working out, playing the guitar, especially blues, doing some stain glass projects, involvement with his grandchildren and being with family and friends. Sam Sterk, Ph.D. is a motivational public speaker about his personal struggles and triumphs over asthma. If you or your organization is interested in having Dr. Sam Sterk as a speaker, please contact him at: peakplus@aol.com or call 480-767-0956. Please visit his website www.peakplusaz.com