Should've Been Dead

Lessons from a Crack Addict Who Broke Free

By: Sweta Patel, Rory Londer

Narrated by: Mark Garkusha, Samantha Sayah

An example of how, at any point, we each have the power to say, "This is not how the story ends." And Rory proves it.

“Just to warn you, he swears. A lot.”

I prepped my high school class for tomorrow’s speaker.

“He had a crack addiction, was living on the streets, and ended up buying the same laundromat he used to rest in. He turned it into a million-dollar business.”

“What?!! No way! How’d he do that?”

“You’ll have to wait for his answer.”

After seventeen years of chasing after crack cocaine, Rory Londer was crushed by failure. He had loving parents and was on honor roll lists, but addiction is a switch that can flip inside anyone. He had eaten food from the trash bin and starved in ten-degree weather, trying to collect quarters for one more hit. Now he’s a millionaire, but this story is not a rags-to-riches tale. It’s about emerging from the shadows of guilt and shame.

This collection of twelve lessons from Rory’s life is a guide to feeling like a disappointment, finding yourself, and then fighting for the life you want. High school teacher Sweta Patel interviewed Rory over two years to capture how building connections with others saved him. And when she brought his techniques to the classroom to connect with the hard-to-reach student, it was clear, his lessons aren’t for the addict alone

©2023 BookSplash Publishing LLC (P)2024 BookSplash Publishing LLC

Raw and honest

This book was so real. I didn’t want it to end! It was honest and the emotions could be felt.

Perseverance!

What an inspiration for others. Really tells the fight of an addict and advice for everyone.

Strength to Survive

Rory is an inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction and to help others better understand behavior of addicts & homeless people. They are people and need to be treated that way because not all can control their behavior at times. He is proof that with desire and opportunities' some can get through those difficult times and be successful even after 15 years. I have heard Rory speak twice and he is a true inspiration! The author did a wonderful jjob sharing his storyboard how he has impacted her life as well.

Powerful Story

Our family listened to this book on vacation and we all loved it. Everything from heartbreak to hope, despair to dreams. It took us longer than the story to read because we often paused to discuss our thoughts and experiences in response. We walked away with a broader life view from this book.

Thanks you Rory for sharing your story, and Sweta for bringing it to us.

A must listen to for hope, encouragement and inspiration!

Rory’s story shows the raw side of addiction. So many people view addicts as who they were and not who they have became. Rory walks us through his life journey on the troubles of his addiction to what it took to become sober. I have even applied some of Indian Mike’s inspiration in my own life (and shared it with my daughter), and remind myself to stop thinking about myself to get myself out of my own negative thinking. Rory’s real life journey has become an inspiration and is a great story told well by Sweta!

A true story of Resilience and Hope

This book is a blend of raw emotion, honesty, and powerful storytelling that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Sweta’s writing brings Rory’s struggles and triumphs to life. Sweta writes with such detail that you feel Rory’s pain, hope, and eventual recovery. This book is so authentic. Sweta doesn’t shy away from the realities of addiction and recovery, providing a look at the challenges Rory faced. Yet, through it all, you feel a sense of hope and resilience that is inspiring.This audiobook is a great listen.

Not *JUST* a story about recovery.

I’ll be forever moved by this story. I’m so grateful the author took a sabbatical to write down Rory’s story. It is clear to my why Sweta’s students at the ALCwere so moved by Rory’s story- but I was not expecting to find so many life lessons that would be applicable to the those not affected personally by addiction. The quick remarks, the blunt nature of advice and the retelling of how he maintained his sobriety were impactful!

Being from Rochester, MN, having a husband in recovery- now a licensed drug counselor, this biography was really personal and I fully enjoyed the retelling. My only disappointment was that the audiobook was not narrated by Rory himself. I respect the decision- but I would have loved to hear his voice.

Heartfelt and honest story of compassion, determination and embracing the human spirit.

I enjoyed how Rory's story was told with honesty about what it's like to struggle with addiction. His explanation of how a switch flips for some leading them to do anything for that next high is dead on. The life lessons taught in the text are ones anyone can use. How we look at and treat people being the most important

So real.

I decided to read this book because my Son is in prison right now and his son is in a rehabilitation facility trying to recover from meth. I try to find some answers as to why my family has gone down this road. I will read this book again because of all the important points that I believe will help. Thank you

I didn’t know!

While we all in a way or another struggle with addiction, our struggles vary. This book makes you pause and think how to react or respond to a person or history of addiction. It also helps you learn that a person is not just what you see. The story behind them is much more rich and deep. Take a moment to truly listen; you may save someone or change someone’s life.