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The Kite That Couldn’t Fly
$19.38
In “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly: And Other May Avenue Stories,” Michael Menard crafts a captivating memoir, weaving a narrative of resilience and hope from the threads of his challenging childhood. Raised amidst poverty and complex trauma, Menard was one of 14 siblings, each uniquely shaped by their shared experiences. His memoir transcends mere storytelling; it’s a journey through the harrowing and the humorous, the unbelievable and the universal, resonating deeply with the human spirit of overcoming adversity.
Menard’s life is a beacon of triumph, demonstrating that out of the darkest circumstances can emerge the brightest futures. His account is not just his own but a voice for those who have faced similar trials. From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to heart-wrenching realities, the book navigates through a spectrum of emotions, offering readers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a life less ordinary. At its core, this book is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Menard’s mother, Arletta, emerges as a hero, imparting lessons of love, hope, and resilience. In contrast, his father, Paul, embodies the complexities of a man shaped by his own trauma, offering a nuanced portrayal of parenthood and survival.
“The Kite That Couldn’t Fly” isn’t just a memoir; it’s a mirror for us all, reflecting the universal journey of struggle and success. It challenges readers to confront their pasts, understand their present, and rekindle hope for their futures. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to find light in their darkness, strength in their struggles, and a reminder that even a kite that couldn’t fly can soar to unimaginable heights.
Michael Menard’s journey from trauma survivor to the man who exposed the United States’ third-leading cause of death represents one of the most important discoveries in modern public health.
Born into a family of fourteen children in Kankakee, Illinois, Menard learned early that survival required both resilience and innovation. Despite growing up in a 900-square-foot home marked by poverty and dysfunction, he channeled his experiences into extraordinary achievement.
His engineering mind revolutionized industries. Over three decades in corporate leadership, Menard earned fourteen patents that transformed global manufacturing, rising to worldwide Vice President of Engineering at Johnson & Johnson. His innovations touched millions of lives daily, proving his ability to solve complex problems at massive scale.
But his greatest discovery came much later. While writing his memoir The Kite That Couldn’t Fly at age seventy-two, Menard realized that what his family endured wasn’t simply a “tough childhood”—it was complex trauma with devastating consequences that rippled through generations. Two brothers lost to addiction, multiple family members stalked by depression—each bearing invisible wounds that never healed.
Menard’s engineer mind couldn’t ignore the patterns. What began as personal revelation became intensive data analysis, ultimately revealing the shocking truth: severe childhood trauma is killing 889 Americans daily, a death toll that surpasses accidents, strokes, and diabetes combined.
The discovery that 89% of teen suicide attempts, 85–100% of addiction cases, and 90% of incarcerated individuals trace back to childhood trauma revealed the scope of this hidden epidemic. At a cost of $14 trillion annually—exceeding our defense budget—America faces its greatest public health crisis in history.