Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew from It

Writer and editor Marshall’s debut memoir plumbs the intersections of sexuality, disability, and family, eloquently depicting his coming out as a gay, disabled man. Marshall grew up in a conservative Utah community in the 1990s. At the age of 30, he learns that his lifelong limp is not caused by “tight tendons,” as he’d always been told, but is, in fact, cerebral palsy (CP). His family, who hid the diagnosis from him, hoping that disability wouldn’t limit his life, is delightfully quirky and devoted to him, although they struggle with their own health issues. In this raw and rowdy account, he candidly relates his coming-of-age, including explicit descriptions of bodily functions, many associated with sexual discovery. Marshall narrates his story, starting with an explanation that because CP affects speech, listeners may hear differences in his narration. The audio experience is outstanding; Marshall’s voice is melodious, and the production is flawless.