ABOUT THE BOOK
Born cerebral palsied, SHERYL JAMES spends the early years of her life arguing with the world and God about her disability. After a strange encounter with Him, she sets out to defy the possibilities defined for her by the crowd, experts and her family. When doors close on her quest to compete as a para-athlete, she abandons a dream she has secretly nurtured, opting instead for long-distance running against able-bodied athletes. With one failed and two successful Comrades marathons behind her, she resigns from her job to seek her real purpose. At the unlikely age of 33, longing to address the marginalisation of people with physical disabilities in rural South Africa, she is unexpectedly launched into the world of sprinting. Her trajectory is set for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Perhaps her scary dream is, indeed, possible. With the odds already stacked against her, what more can life hurl at her as she pursues what most believe impossible?
ISBN: 978-1-0370-8587-1
Publication date: December 2025
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sheryl is a university graduate with a BA (Health and Social Sciences-Psychology). She is cerebral palsied, passionate about sport, animals and the bush and has a heart for inspiring and creating opportunities for others. Her faith journey led to an unlikely bronze medal at the 2020/2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Her mother, Sandy, spent thirty years as a school principal and educator at a Christian School. In 2018, Sandy began to journal her new season as Sheryl’s ‘momager’. Unbridling arose from Sheryl’s public speaking engagements and the journals that she and her mom penned as each of them experienced her own ‘unbridling’.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
‘Moving and such a great testament not only to Sheryl who is a true champion but to an incredible family. Unbridling deserves to be read by all.’ – Philip Fourie
‘Powerful and beautifully written.’ – Gail Gilbride, author of Under the African Sun and Cat Therapy
‘I commend you, Sheryl, for your courage and perseverance. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray that your journey will greatly encourage the lives of many.’ – Gavin (Magic) Johnson, former Springbok rugby player and member of the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup squad
‘I am astounded at Sheryl’s faith, determination and ability to persevere. This book will most definitely be an inspiration for people who have any disability.’ – Wessel Strauss, former President of World Polocrosse and of South African Polocrosse
Indeed Books 