Veterinarian\, wildlife conservationist\, mental health advocate\, and writer Brad Ryan visits the Bexley Public Lib rary to celebrate the release of his book \;Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing\, One National Park at a Time -- \;"a \;he artrending\, transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmo ther Joy Ryan as they embark on a seven-year journey to visit every US Nat ional Park." Brad will be in conversation with writer\, poet\, and natural ist Jarod K. Anderson. Book signing with special guest Grandma Joy to foll ow the discussion thanks to Gramercy Books.
\nThis event is pres ented in partnership with Gramercy Books.
\nRegister fo r this program through the GRAMERCY BOOKS EVENT PAGE HERE.
\nAbout the Book:
\nRaised in Appalachia\ , Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships\, while Bra d grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together\, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America&rsquo \;s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunder standings. Over seven years\, they sought to visit all sixty-three US Nati onal Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty o f the Everglades\, each park became a classroom\, teaching them profound l essons about nature\, resilience\, and each other.
\nGrandma Joy and Me \;follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing\, wh erein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injusti ces&mdash\;real and imagined&mdash\;that had long held them hostage. An em otionally charged exploration of love\, forgiveness\, and resilience\, thi s unique bond between a young man and his ninety-year-old grandmother&mdas h\;the oldest person to visit every US National Park&mdash\;is more than j ust any travel tale\; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human.
\nAbout the Author:
\nBrad Ryan is a veterinarian\, wildlife conservationist\, social media influencer\, mental health advocate\, and writer from Southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University\, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria\, and both a DVM and MPH from The Ohio State University\, spe cializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health.
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