Stare at Me How Being Blindsided Brings Life Into Focus

Joey Mullaney was only thirteen years old when he found out he was dying.

A rare degenerative disease would rob him of his ability to play sports. It would slur his speech and crash his confidence. It would even confine him to a motorized scooter as a teenager.

In this true story about his life so far, Joey reveals how he came to terms with the unthinkable. Teens and young adults will see pieces of themselves and their experiences in Joey’s journey of acceptance. And they’ll laugh along with Joey as he stutters and stumbles his way to discovering his true identity and finding his place in the world.

Stare at Me is more than an inspirational memoir. It’s the voice of a trusted friend that empowers every reader — the geek, the misfit, the introvert, the class president, the jock — to stare down whatever faces them and say, “I got this.”

Joey Mullaney helps young adults and teens make the most of their lives, no matter what obstacles they face. Diagnosed as a child with a terminal, degenerative disease called Friedreich’s ataxia, Joey began a long, bumpy ride to self-awareness, confidence, and acceptance. His triumphs have been documented on Good Morning America and in USA Today and have gone viral on YouTube. Now twenty-six, Joey is an inspirational speaker and writer who blogs at joeymullaney.com. In person or on the page, Joey provides his audience with a humorous, uplifting, and motivational punch in the arm.