Trading Places: Hopelessness to Happiness Paperback – 14 Mar. 2019

This is a no holds barred honest account of what life was like for Joe growing up as a child with cerebral palsy and of his difficult journey through low expectations and lack of support to finding a route to achieve his academic potential. Joe does not minimise the impact of his unhappiness at school and peoples expectations of him upon his own behaviour as he grew up. and his mother comes through as a beacon of love and of unending patience and support. The book pays tribute to the impact of a dedicated teacher in his early years and the key role his Christian faith has and played in his life and how Joe himself found opportunities and seized them leading to his graduation with the Open University and life as a successful journalist. It is a story of the struggle of faith hope and love against a background of despair, disability and pain. This is a book which should be read.

I purchased this book for my mother and she has thoroughly enjoyed it. She said: It's a very inspiring story of things the author had to overcome to reap the rewards of life, while showing God was beside him along his journey. He surpassed expectations of himself from birth and was able to go on to get a degree despite struggling through education and has persisted through difficulties to get to where he is today. There was a chapter that made me sad followed by uplifting chapters detailing the happiness of meeting and marrying the love of his life. This is a powerful story from a strong man, exploring the hardships and highlights of his life, maintaining his trust in God.

If you need some inspiration to get through this life then read Joe's story. I know Joe personally as he went to school with my late son whom he has mentioned in his story. So happy he choose to include him as part of his life. I am not a follower of any faith but do not deny anyone the joy of their's. This is more that a story of his Christianity, it's a true account of the struggles he faced his entire life as a result of his illness. Joe is an inspiration to those who know him and will be to those who read Trading Places.

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Boyd when I first arrived in Ballymena as assistant pastor. Joe's enthusiastic welcome and down to earth manner was a major help in settling me into a while new environment.This book is fantastically well written and easy to read. As far as testimony books go it is the rare page turner, you just want to keep reading.Joe it's a pleasure knowing you.And after reading this is a pleasure knowing the circumstances that have helped shape you.

This book is a remarkable read. A true story of faith in a God bigger than any problem we face. Joe is an inspiration to many and this book will give others hope even in the face of hopelessness . I couldn't put it down! A Very challenging read !

Very easy read enjoyable and inspiring well worth a read God has a plan for our lives you just need to meet him and find out for yourself all glory to God

This is a beautifully written, well craftedStory. Cannot recommened enough! I found a lot to relate to...

Wonderful story of a life in God's care.