'We are meant for more': How East Peoria author thrives in life with cerebral palsy

PEORIA — Sam Miller wasn't supposed to be here.

But he is equal parts miracle and sheer will in a life journey devoted to overcoming a disability to be his best self.

And he wants you to do the same, so the Morton native and now East Peoria resident has written a book, "I'MPOSSIBLE: Life lessons on thriving with a disability."

"I was born with cerebral palsy, came out black-and-blue," said Miller, 37. "Doctors told everyone, 'Say goodbye to him.' But my whole life became about finding a way to make a meaningful impact."

Miller was born into a sports-enthusiastic family and grew up in the era of Michael Jordan and fell in love with basketball. He wanted to play the game. When he couldn't play it at a high competitive level because of his disability, he had to make a decision — and it's perhaps the most important part of the book.

A legacy in paperback: Teacher writes book about Metamora football coach Pat Ryan

"How can I be around the game I love?" Miller said, of a seminal moment. "It led me down the road of a journalism career, and now a speaking and writing career."

He started working in the Peoria Journal Star sports department as a senior at Morton High School during the summers of 2003-05.

He says he had a lot of adventures after that, one of which brought him to California, where he met his wife, Kayla. She designs her own jewelry line now, which can be found online at KM Jewelry Design.

The elephant in the room

Miller, during the pandemic, bunkered himself in his writer's cave in East Peoria and emerged two years later with his book.

It gave him time to reflect on his own path while living with CP.

"For me, a big moment in my life journey was that for a long time Cerebral Palsy felt like the elephant in the room for me," he said. " 'I'm going to do everything I can to act like it doesn't exist.' I wasn't being true to myself. I made a decision to embrace my life circumstances.

"And that's where I gained immense power over my life."

River city sports: 6 reasons the sports world might know Peoria

The book is set up as 10 lessons on thriving with a disability. At the end of each section, Miller poses questions for the reader to consider, a self-evaluation exercise.

Asked what he sees as the most important of those, Miller said "conquering fear. It's one of the most time-sensitive lessons right now, we're all facing a world full of fear."

"The 10 themes I share in my book, they aren't ideas," he added. "They are life-lessons I've stumbled through and fought for. The book is my story, but it's full of applicable principles for everyone. And I take the reader through reflections at the end of each one."

The making of Coach Sam

Miller does workshops and speaking engagements and tells his story through organizations like Easterseals and the Tazewell County Resource Centers.

As part of his April book launch on Amazon, a portion of the proceeds went to Tazewell County Resource Centers.

"I've been blessed to work with great organizations like Easterseals and TCRC," Miller said. "I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand what TCRC is doing to pour into the local community, and I wanted to do my part to pay it forward ... I'm eager to raise money and awareness as a regular part of 'I'MPOSSIBLE' going forward."

'A ghost story for every single day': Pekin author's paranormal nonfiction scares up prize

He is also eager to work with individuals and coach them through their journey. He can be reached through his website dreamingmadesimple.com, where personalized copies of his book can also be purchased. The book is also available directly through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

"The book has transformational power in it," Miller said. "What I love doing is speaking to audiences and coaching individuals. Let's problem-solve your impossibilities and find a pathway to possible. We are meant for more than just surviving. We are meant to find a way to thrive.

"I can't escape the idea that God uses everything for good. That's what I want to share with people."

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: How an East Peoria author thrives in life with cerebral palsy