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  • Overcoming

  • A Memoir
  • By: Vicky Phelan
  • Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
  • Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (188 ratings)

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Overcoming

By: Vicky Phelan
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
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Summary

'If there's any message I want people to take from this book, it is hope that, even in the hardest of times, life is worth living, one precious moment at a time.' (Vicky Phelan)

When Vicky Phelan delivered an emotionally charged statement from the steps of the Four Courts in April 2018 - having refused to sign a nondisclosure agreement in the settlement of her action against the HSE - she unearthed the medical and political scandal of our times. It would emerge that, like Vicky, 220 other women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer were not informed that a clinical audit - carried out by the national screen programme CervicalCheck - had revised their earlier, negative smear tests. Their cancers could possibly have been preventable.

Since then, Vicky has become women's voice for justice on the issue, and her system-changing activism has made her a household name.

In her memoir Overcoming, Vicky shares her remarkable personal story, from a life-threatening accident in early adulthood through to motherhood, a battle with depression, her devastating later discovery that her cancer had returned in shocking circumstances - and the ensuing detective-like scrutiny of events that led the charge for her history-making legal action.

An inspiring story of rare resilience and power, Overcoming is an account of how one woman can move mountains - even when she is fighting for her own life - and of finding happiness and strength in the toughest of times.

©2019 Vicky Phelan (P)2019 Hachette Books Ireland
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What listeners say about Overcoming

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Fabulous and Honest

brilliant telling of the story behind Vicky Phelan the courageous woman who took on the HSE and Cervical Check programme in Ireland and won. ❤

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incredible woman

Vicky will always be an incredible and strong woman for everything she has fought.

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Brilliant and Heartbreaking. So well told

Thank goodness we as women have such a wonderful person to fight for all

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What a woman

Very interesting, moving, well narrated and honest. One very brave lady. I will pray for her.

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Life changing

Wow. A must-read by an Irish hero and queen. Lifts the lid on the Irish cervical smear scandal and shows us how one woman's bravery unites a nation.

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Captivating

Really informative, sad but enjoyable read/listen.
Well done Vicky, we are behind you all the way.

The narrator was brilliant.

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Powerful

I had heard Vicky's story over the past few years in relation to her cancer diagnosis but had never heard her full story. She has had to battle so many things that it is truely amazing she is still sane. Her book was powerful and I cried many times listening to it. It is definitely deserving of all the praise it has been given so far. What an amazing woman.

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inspirational lady

what areas what a lady vicky is.such an amazing read.thank you for putting your story into words.

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Brilliant story, sad, honest and so real

Loved it. Very well read. A great story and hats off to Vicky for writing this fabulous book. I wish vicky many years ahead with a healthy life with her family.

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Superb

I loved this book and didn't want it to end. She is an incredible person and her story is so important to all Irish women.

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