Defying Disability:
One Couple’s Journey of Fierce Love and Unwavering Faith

Defying Disability: One Couple’s Journey of Fierce Love and Unwavering Faith tells the inspiring story of Bert and Darlene Cherry, as lovingly written by their niece, Dinah Jordan.

Darlene, a small-town single mother from Arkansas, and Bert, a small-town preacher’s son from Oklahoma, met in 1952 at a rehabilitation facility while recovering from the devastation of polio. That facility not only taught them trade skills and independence, it served as the backdrop for a love story that would defy every expectation.

“Critics wondered how Darlene, in a wheelchair, and Bert, on crutches, could ever manage. Outsiders looked at their weaknesses and predicted a brief marriage. They looked at each other’s strengths and made a lifelong commitment. They learned to pool their strengths to accomplish necessary tasks.” - brother-in-law Dale.

Navigating life before the Americans with Disabilities Act, Bert and Darlene built a full and joyful life in Dallas, sustained by faith and fueled by love. Bert pursued a successful career in the credit union industry, while Darlene managed a childcare business from their home. Together, they raised three children, welcomed 11 grandchildren, and touched countless lives with their grace and perseverance.

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READER REVIEWS

  • "First of all, I knew nothing about polio and the information and the history of how they treated it were very interesting. I love stories of how people can overcome things and lead a normal life and even better when 2 people can find each other and share their lives together with the same disability. It was a very beautiful story with a lot of great articles and pictures from the past."

    Kerrie, Amazon Customer Review

  • "This book will both inspire and educate you. The story of Bert and Darlene Cherry is one that shows the reader that love trumps adversity and wins against all odds. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started. The things that this couple dealt with both physically and mentally in their daily life would have most people cowering in the corner, but these two persevered and created a legacy of love and faith for their family."

    Amazon Customer Review

  • "Defying Disability is an informative look back to the 1950s and how two people kept a winning attitude and persevered as they moved through life sharing their best selves with each other and their friends and family."

    Gene, Amazon Customer Review

Darlene Before Polio

“In August 1945, I was a married young woman. I had a precious baby girl, my husband was in the Navy, and I was living with my mother. The second World War was going to be over soon, and I thought life was as good as it could get.” - Darlene

 

Bert Before Polio

“Life was good. These were good years. My senior year, I earned good grades - all A’s except for typing. I played several musical instruments; my favorite was the trombone. The summer of 1949, I worked for a local farmer. I would trot most places I went. I really enjoyed it.” - Bert

Fun Facts about the Book

 

You’ll see burgundy featured in the book and in this website because it is the color for polio awareness.

The paperback book uses the Georgia font, which is perfect because Darlene’s given name was Georgia Darlene.