Frequently asked questions

I’m Rebecca “Becky” Faye Smith Galli, an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Topics include resilience, disability, family, and finding meaning when life changes unexpectedly.

My writing is deeply rooted in personal experience. After becoming paralyzed from transverse myelitis in 1997, I began a writing journey that has grown to include more than 500 published columns, two books—Rethinking Possible and Morning Fuel—and my Thoughtful Thursdays newsletter.

My columns and books explore experiences and questions that have shaped my own life, including:

• Resilience and adapting to change
• Grief, loss, and healing
• Paralysis
• Sibling loss
• Autism
• Parenting and caregiving
• Family and relationships
• Hope, faith, gratitude, and finding meaning in everyday experiences

Much of my writing begins with a personal story and the lessons or questions that experience has given me to consider.

In 1997, just nine days after my divorce was finalized, I became suddenly paralyzed by transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord that affects one in a million.

In six hours, transverse myelitis attacked the myelin sheath surrounding my spinal cord. Although the spinal cord was never severed, its ability to communicate was lost and I was paralyzed from the waist down.

It was an unexpected event that permanently changed my physical world and, over time, became an important part of my writing about resilience, change, and what it means to rethink what is possible.

I had reason to hope. One third recover fully from transverse myelitis. One third recover partially. One third have no recovery at all.

But after nineteen months of paralysis, I let go of that hope. I had to let go of the life I wanted to live fully in the life I had.

Although my physical recovery did not restore the use of my legs, I eventually came to understand recovery as something larger than physical healing.

For me, recovery has involved heart, mind, purpose, faith, community, and writing. I learned that moving forward did not necessarily mean returning to the life I had before. It meant learning to live fully within a changed reality and continuing to discover what was still possible.

I am the author of two books:

• Rethinking Possible: A Memoir of Resilience — my memoir about navigating loss, change, and some of life’s most unexpected challenges.
• Morning Fuel: Daily Inspirations to Stretch Your Mind Before Starting Your Day — a collection of daily inspirational readings designed to encourage reflection and positive thinking.

Morning Fuel and Rethinking Possible are available through major book retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Simon & Schuster.

You can also find information about both books and purchasing options on my website.

Explore the books and ordering options →

You can request a personalized, signed copy through the Order Signed Copy page on my website.

A signed book can be personalized for you or for someone special if you are giving it as a gift.

My father, Dr. R.F. Smith Jr., wrote Sit Down God… I’m Angry, a book following the death of his seventeen-year-old son, my brother Forest. Rather than offering easy religious answers or clichés, Dad explores the raw emotions of profound loss—including doubt, confusion, frustration, and anger. With wisdom, vulnerability, and hope, he shares his journey through grief toward a place where life, love, and faith become possible again.

You can learn more about his book and find ordering information on the Dr. R.F. Smith Books page of my website.

You can explore more than 500 published columns on my website.

My writing spans several series, including:

• From Where I Sit
• Looking Homeward
• Tuesdays with Madison
• Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart

The columns explore resilience, grief, disability, family, autism, relationships, caregiving, and the everyday experiences that can teach us something about ourselves and one another.

Explore my columns →

Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart is my email newsletter where I share columns, personal reflections, book excerpts, and lessons from my continuing search to stay positive through life’s challenges.

You can join the Thoughtful Thursdays community through the Sign Me Up! option on my website.

Yes. As a thank-you for joining our community, new subscribers receive my guide:

Seven Strategies for Staying Up When Life is Pulling You Down. You can sign up here:

Grief, loss, healing, and resilience are recurring themes throughout my writing.

One frequently requested column grew from a seminar I attended about dealing with loss during the holidays. It explores the sometimes unexpected way grief and grace can coexist and offers reflections for anyone navigating loss during an emotionally difficult season.

You can find this and other writing about grief and healing in the columns section of my website.

Explore my columns →

Let Love Be Larger is a column that began as a letter to my daughter. Over time, it has become a piece readers often request for weddings and anniversaries.

The full text and accompanying reflection questions are available on the Let Love Be Larger page of my website, where you can also print a copy to share as a keepsake or gift.

One longtime reader favorite is the story of my nephew’s unforgettable Thanksgiving toast—and the memorable reaction it created around our holiday table.

It is one of my lighter pieces and has connected with readers who know that family gatherings do not always go exactly as planned. You can find that column here:

My daughter Madison’s autism diagnosis became an important part of our family’s journey and eventually influenced both my advocacy work and my writing. You can find the history here.

I co-founded Pathfinders for Autism in 2000 to help individuals and families find information, resources, and support.

My experiences with Madison have also inspired many of my columns, including the Tuesdays with Madison series.

If you are looking for autism information and support, I encourage you to connect with Pathfinders for Autism.

My website also includes personal columns about parenting Madison, autism, caregiving, and navigating transitions and adult services.

Yes. I welcome inquiries about speaking engagements and conversations connected to the themes in my books and writing.

Topics may include resilience, caregiving, disability, grief and loss, adapting to unexpected change, and finding hope when life has been redefined.

Please reach out through my Contact page to share information about your event.

Yes. I enjoy thoughtful podcast conversations about resilience, loss, healing, disability, sibling loss, caregiving, autism, writing, family, and the lessons we discover through life’s unexpected experiences.

Podcast hosts can contact me through my website to discuss an interview.

Explore my podcast conversations →

Yes. I welcome inquiries about book club discussions and conversations related to Rethinking Possible and Morning Fuel. Book Club Discussion Guides for Rethinking Possible are available here:

Please use my Contact page to tell me about your group and what you have in mind.

You can send me a message through the Contact page on my website.

I always appreciate hearing from readers, whether you have a question, would like to discuss an interview or event, or simply want to share something from your own experience with resilience, loss, healing, or life redefined.

You can find me and connect with me on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• SnapChat
• LinkedIn
• X

My social media handle is @Chairwriter.

You can also join my Thoughtful Thursdays email community to receive new writing and reflections directly in your inbox.