Carry on: A Story of Resilience, Redemption, and an Unlikely Family - Paperback

by Lisa Fenn (Author)

NAACP Image Award Finalist, and Winner of the 2016 Friends of American Writers Literary Award and the Christopher Award

A deeply moving memoir about the unexpected bonds that would transform three lives.

Lisa Fenn produced human-interest features for ESPN for over a decade, but one particular story came into her life and never left. After seeing a newspaper image of two young wrestlers from one of Cleveland's tougher public high schools, Lisa followed a hunch and flew back to her hometown to meet the boys that very day. What she found caused her spirit both to sink and to soar.

Leroy Sutton, who lost his legs in a childhood train accident, could often be found riding on the back of Dartanyon Crockett, who was legally blind and had no permanent place to call home. Initially drawn together by their handicaps, the boys soon developed a brother-like bond. When one wrestled, the other sat on the edge of the mat, and their cheerful friendship was a source of inspiration throughout the halls of their high school.

As Lisa filmed her feature about this remarkable friendship for ESPN, she grew to understand the suffering Leroy and Dartanyon had endured, and she fought for their trust and their confidence. The three formed a surprising and meaningful connection--and once the television story ended, Lisa realized she couldn't just walk away.

Though Leroy's and Dartanyon's futures were limited by abject poverty, Lisa resolved to give them the chance she knew they deserved. She worked tirelessly to see them through school and athletic pursuits, broken hearts, phantom limbs, and the bewildering obstacles that, at every turn, tested their individual strengths even while strengthening the bonds between them.

More than a story of two underdogs overcoming innumerable hardships, Carry On is a touching tale of an unlikely family forged through barriers of race, class, and disability. It is a powerful memoir about grit, love, hope, and faith--and the courage to carry on, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Front Jacket

Christopher Award Winner - Friends of American Writers Award Winner - Nautilus Award Winner - NAACP Image Award Finalist

After seeing a newspaper photo of two wrestlers from one of Cleveland's tougher public high schools, ESPN producer Lisa Fenn followed a hunch and flew back to her hometown to meet the boys. Leroy Sutton, who lost his legs in a childhood train accident, could often be found riding on the back of Dartanyon Crockett, who was legally blind and had no permanent home. Initially drawn together by their handicaps, the boys had developed a brother-like bond and cheerful friendship, even in the face of innumerable hardships and poverty.

As Lisa filmed an ESPN feature on Leroy and Dartanyon's extraordinary friendship, she grew to understand the suffering they had endured, and she fought for their trust. The three formed a surprising and profound connection--and once the taping stopped, Lisa knew she couldn't just walk away. She resolved to give Leroy and Dartanyon the chance they deserved, and embarked on a journey that tested their individual resolve while strengthening the bonds between them.

Carry On is a powerful memoir about an unlikely family forged through barriers of race, class, and disability. It is a story of grit, love, hope, and faith--and the courage to persevere, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.

--Sports Illustrated

Back Jacket

Christopher Award Winner - Friends of American Writers Award Winner - Nautilus Award Winner - NAACP Image Award Finalist

After seeing a newspaper photo of two wrestlers from one of Cleveland's tougher public high schools, ESPN producer Lisa Fenn followed a hunch and flew back to her hometown to meet the boys. Leroy Sutton, who lost his legs in a childhood train accident, could often be found riding on the back of Dartanyon Crockett, who was legally blind and had no permanent home. Initially drawn together by their handicaps, the boys had developed a brother-like bond and cheerful friendship, even in the face of innumerable hardships and poverty.

As Lisa filmed an ESPN feature on Leroy and Dartanyon's extraordinary friendship, she grew to understand the suffering they had endured, and she fought for their trust. The three formed a surprising and profound connection--and once the taping stopped, Lisa knew she couldn't just walk away. She resolved to give Leroy and Dartanyon the chance they deserved, and embarked on a journey that tested their individual resolve while strengthening the bonds between them.

Carry On is a powerful memoir about an unlikely family forged through barriers of race, class, and disability. It is a story of grit, love, hope, and faith--and the courage to persevere, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.