Review by M. Wayne Cunningham, ForeWord CLARION Reviews

If there is ever to be a poster person for people with ultra-abilities, it would have to be twenty-four-year-old Shirley Cheng. The author has turned her disabilities into an ultra-ability and written the awe-inspiring Embrace Ultra-Ability! Cheng's slim but power-packed motivational guide delivers what it promises with its wisdom, insights, and motivation. It is a volume to be read, re-read, and treasured for its originality, readability, and courageous approach to dealing with life's adversities, and from an individual who has had far more than her fair share of them.
Cheng is a first-class role model for taking the cards one is dealt in life and turning them into a winning hand. With clinical objectivity and without a sniffle of self-pity she describes the setbacks she suffered at eleven months of age when she contracted severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and later when she became fully blind at age seventeen. The story of how she overcame these disabilities as well as several misdiagnoses by medical practitioners, other attempts by legal authorities to rip her from her single mother's custody, and a delayed start in her formal education, is an inspiration for all readers-sighted, blind, abled or ultra-abled. Among Cheng's achievements are several books she has authored, edited, and designed, including a work co-authored with self-help icons such as Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy. She also does motivational tours and runs her own Web site.
Cheng's basic philosophy is, "If I have succeeded, so can you." She lays out in detail the guidelines to follow and the criteria to observe to obtain spiritual fulfillment, happiness, love, and respect, among other benefits. She stresses, however, that it is the reader who must take ultimate responsibility for his or her own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. With typical humility she refers to her volume as only a basic guidebook. But it is a guidebook full of sage advice, helpful exercises, common sense analyses, and tough love prescriptions in chapters such as, "Go For Your Gold Medals in Life," memorable anecdotes from her life experiences, and two more detailed stories, one about her own birth, the other about her mother's custody battle to keep her, that are gems of classic storytelling. The latter is also frightening because of what could have happened if Mrs. Cheng had not been able to stave off the misdiagnosed medical procedures with which her daughter was threatened. It seems that bravery and persistence are common threads with the Cheng women.
The author's attitude toward life's obstacles is perhaps best summed up in the following quotation from her chapter, "Always a Tomorrow," about everyone's need for hope. It is a mantra well suited for others to follow too:
"No mountain is high enough to hold me back; no wind is strong enough to blow me down. There are stars I must reach; there are roads I must take, and with my blooming hope inside, I spread my wings wide to embrace all that tomorrow will bring."

Review by Kirkus Discoveries

Motivational speaker and poet Cheng offers a heartfelt guide to building the foundations for a good life.
Cheng has had her share of miseries: A crippling case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which was not only excruciatingly painful but kept her from school and almost sent her into foster care, was followed by the loss of her vision at the age of 17. So if she chooses to live in happiness, then her tools to achieve that state certainly have fashioned one shining example. Cheng is a forceful believer in God Almighty: "God is everything. He is all virtues…He is infinite, total, and all-encompassing." Well, perhaps not all the time-"He is absent during your every fall"-and she is not the first to appreciate that "He works under mysterious plans." But readers need not be believers to find the everyday wisdom in her life purposes: to be a good person with good intentions and to enjoy life to its last sensuous, joyous morsel. Her advice is to live moment to moment, guided by a foundation of values and virtues.
Writing with verve and conviction, and ever cutting to the chase, she covers the ingredients of the foundation: faith (in God, perhaps, or maybe simply the allegiance to a cause), finding gratitude (or at least an education) in all things, discovering your core value (hers is goodness), loving life and yourself and others, and having hope that things will go right. Who's to argue with that? As you wend your way to being good, Cheng is adamant about putting your needs first (only when you have cared for yourself can you fruitfully care for others) and being yourself, finding what is important to you, learning to say no, giving yourself a break, kicking back and taking risks.
Then she provides working examples of how to handle the negativities that enter life-deaths, physical ailments-moving beyond simply tendering good words.
Cheng could easily have become sad and bad, but good and happy is her path. These lifeways were her ticket to the high road.

Review by Malcolm R. Campbell, Author of "The Sun Singer"



"This small book is simply a tender nudge," writes Shirley Cheng in the opening chapter of this joyful volume that combines the basics of faith and positive thinking into a gentle guide that's well-illustrated by the author's experience.



In this 167-page trade paperback, Cheng nudges the reader via a wide variety of personal development topics from the value of time and typical time wasters to our predilection for dwelling upon "what ifs" to following the light and building a firm foundation for spiritual success.



Cheng asks us to be daring and enjoy life. "It's important to take risks, "she writes. "Taking risks allows you to explore, discover, and learn new things; it brings you to a whole new road you have never before traveled."



Cheng's own journey as a blind and physically disabled award-winning author serves as a unifying inspiration throughout the book. She wrote about the rocky road of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, her trips to China for treatments

unavailable in the United States, the loss of her sight when she was 17 to her debut as an author and advocate in The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine in 2005.



Rather than breaking new ground in the realm of empowerment and spirituality, Cheng serves as the wise and patient coach who has traveled that new road before and knows the territory. She enthusiastically urges us forward, step by positive step, toward becoming "Ultra-Abled."

Review by H.A. Senidal

There are a lot of self-help and self-improvement books out there, which is no surprise considering the world we live in. Most tend to focus on changing our perception of the world--you adopt a more positive outlook on life, you will go far in it. The problem is choosing one that fits you. Shirley Cheng's Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide is indeed another self-help and self-improvement book, and it does focus on changing your attitude towards life, but what makes it stand out from the rest is its author's faith, own disabilities, and writing style. Her belief in God is prominent throughout the book. It seems to be addressed to Christians, firm or faltering, but she does not condemn anyone like a "fire and brimstone" preacher. Readers will be treated to practical self-improvement advice without being treated like sinners. Cheng also shares her own situation with readers; she is blind and confined to a wheelchair, but she never sounds defeated despite her disabilities. Readers will be able to understand Cheng's message thanks to her clear and simple writing peppered with colorful, non-cliched metaphor. No psychiatric jargon will plague them.
Cheng is no doctor or licensed expert in the psychiatric field. Instead, she is an expert in keeping a positive attitude because of her own experience. Her overall message to readers is "If I can be happy despite my disabilities, you can, too." Although her Christian faith may turn off some readers, others will appreciate her message.

Review by The Rebecca Review, Amazon.com Top Ten Reviewer

Shirley Cheng's vibrant prose refreshes the soul. Her positive message of hope and love has universal appeal. In Embrace Ultra-Ability she writes about her appreciation of life, shares her insights and captures beauty in every moment. To Shirley, life is an adventure filled with possibility.

Reading "Embrace Ultra-Ability" is a positive experience that will lead you to a better life. Shirley Cheng's unique view of the world and encouraging words help you to see life from a different perspective. Some of the topics she addresses include: Time Wasters, Reality Checks, Lifelong Learning, Enlightenment, Spiritual Success, Unconditional Love, Faith, Gratitude, Hope and Goals.

As Shirley introduces her ideas she also talks about her own struggles and accomplishments. By embracing a life of purpose she shows the way to a much more positive lifestyle.
As a fan of Shirley's books I can also recommend her poetry and stories:

Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells
Waking Spirit: Prose and Poems the Spirit Sings

Shirley Cheng offers wise, loving and honest insight that will warm your heart and soul. The book is filled with powerful and loving truths that will certainly help you get through the times ahead.

--Katharine C. Giovanni
Speaker, Consultant, International Concierge Training Expert, and Author of "The Concierge Manual" and "God is that you?"

Review by Dorothy Lafrinere from WomensSelfEsteem.com

Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide, is an excellent and effectively written book by Shirley Cheng. You will feel your mind open to her insightful thoughts, spiritualism and advice, while at the same time find yourself reaching ultimate goals such as inner peace, self-acceptance and happiness. Have you ever wanted to, win with positivity or overcome limitations and negativity? In this book you will find steps and strategies to do just that.
Shirley Cheng takes you on another mindful journey as you read her thoughts, experiences, and her interpretations as she visualizes the world and what it has to offer.
Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide, is a key that will enable you the reader, to finally unlock doors that have blocked you from understanding and really seeing what is beyond your own impaired vision. An impaired vision in a non-physical sense such as
being blinded to what really is waiting to be seen and embraced in life.
This book is very effective and empowering in teaching positive affirmations, self-confidence, self-love and true sight. A must for every reader!

Womensselfesteem.com highly recommends, " Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide".
Shirley Cheng's ability through her own physical blindness has allowed her to see the world through a true site or vision. She sees through all of the obstacles of negative-emotional thinking and learned behaviors which have impaired so many of us in our daily lives. Shirley embraces her insightfulness which enables
her to accept what she cannot change and gives her the strength to continue to move forward!
Shirley continues sharing her world of peace and tranquility through her poetic words, teaching her readers the true meaning to the words blindness and insightfulness.
Through Shirley Cheng's book, you will gain the strength needed to reach your ultimate goal in life of a true balance.

Review by Robbie Miles, Brush Artist and Teacher

With a pure heart and boundless enthusiasm, Shirley Cheng's new book unveils the foundation of faith, gratitude, love and hope that has brought her through the challenges of life. Just as steel is tempered through fire, this soulful author has been transformed through the many difficulties of her young life. Adopting Shirley's positive views on living and using some of her suggested techniques can bring the same resolute strength into your life with wonderful results. A timeless and ageless fountain of hope that can be read over and over.

Review by Christina Francine

Need words of wisdom, something profound? Prepare to be surprised at the insightfulness which comes from an unexpected place. Shirley Cheng's recommendations will motivate and impress you. Her thoughts will challenge you to question and rethink your assumptions, and she'll offer an elusive yet meaningful alternative order to the dubious skepticism you carry around.

Shirley will humble you as she displays her philosophy for a happy existence. Although she is blind, in a wheel-chair, suffers from severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, has limited mobility, and endures physical pain, she is positive. The cup is half full to her. Through her optimism and wise outlook, you will find hope. In spite of the fact that Shirley has suffered her whole twenty-four years of life, she describes herself as ultra-abled.

Shirley's positive outlooks, in spite of her physical disabilities, grace the pages of this book, as well as her other five and the ones she's contributed to. Each one inspires. Each sets examples of how to view our abilities and the world around us. Shirley also works hard for parental rights - something we're losing here in America. She asks you to please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html

Find zeal for life's quests and embrace your ultra-abilities. As you open your mind, you'll be challenged to be the best you can be, and reminded of life's enchantments. Recommended for anyone who needs a lift to the brighter side of life.