John Justice

Vanessa's Story

A Novel

Click on cover image for larger version.

© 2019 by John Justice
481 pages

From the Introduction

This is a work of fiction. For the most part, any resemblance to real–life characters is coincidental. There is, however, one exception. I have included many of my own life experiences and those of my wife, Linda.

Adventitious blindness, visual impairment developed after birth, is extremely difficult to face. The techniques and experiences described here are based on actual, documented cases. When faced by this tremendous challenge, a person has the choice of learning to live blind or spending the rest of life in a limited, restricted environment.

About the Novel

After their terrible accident at Crater Lake, young Vanessa is blinded, and her boyfriend loses his legs. How will they ever adapt, either physically or emotionally, to their daunting new realities?

Vanessa's Story is set years before the advent of the adaptive technology for the blind that exists today. Here, her own determination, support from her family, inspiration from a blind acquaintance, and excellent training at a center in Arkansas set the young woman on her path toward a brighter future.

Along the way, plenty of challenges and even dangers arise. A certain close relative is more than difficult to deal with until her own life circumstances and attitude change for the better.

As she gains confidence and maturity, Vanessa discovers that no vision is required for her to find new and lasting friendships—and then, at last, new love.

Edited by David and Leonore H. Dvorkin
Cover by David Dvorkin

The Paddy Stories, Book One

Click on cover image for larger version.

© 2016 by John Justice
371 pages

Blind Paddy Flynn, orphaned at age eight, travels by train from Philadelphia to California in 1947 to live with his childless aunt and uncle, Doreen and Bob Chandler. Part One tells of his mother's death, his time in a children's home, the good friends he makes there, and then his long and eventful journey to California.

In Part Two, by a wonderful twist of fate, Paddy and his closest friend from Philadelphia, Lucy Candelaria, are reunited in California. Their unusual and loving relationship and their special form of communication make up a major part of the story.

The large and well-drawn cast of characters includes the residents and staff of the children's home, the friendly family Paddy stays overnight with in Chicago, the train staff, the several adults who accompany him on different legs of his journey, his kind and welcoming relatives and their wonderful dog, and various neighbors there in California. It's clear that one neighbor family leads a very different life from the peaceful and prosperous one enjoyed by the Chandlers.

With his loving nature, courage, and can-do spirit, Paddy brings joy and inspiration to many others and even stands up to two memorable bullies, one at the children's home and one in California. But how will he adjust to life at a school for the blind? Book One of The Paddy Stories ends with Paddy once again having to face an uncertain future.

To be continued in Book Two.

Edited by David and Leonore H. Dvorkin
Cover by David Dvorkin

The Paddy Stories, Book Two

Click on cover image for larger version.

© 2018 by John Justice
331 pages

From the protected environment of California School for the Blind, Pat Chandler enters an ordinary public high school, where he and his blind friend Carlos are a tiny minority. How will the teachers and other students treat them? Most of them have never met a blind person before.

For Pat and Carlos, challenges of this type are nothing new. Fortunately, Pat has Lucy Candelaria beside him. Her love and support, along with his own strength and determination, will give him the help he needs to succeed. In young Becky Simonson, Carlos finds a friend and loving companion as well. As time passes, they all develop new maturity and deserved self-confidence.

Naturally, as Pat grows into young adulthood, the issues he faces become more complex. The Paddy Stories: Book One featured the journey of the orphaned boy from Philadelphia to California, then his new life with Doreen and Bob Chandler, the loving aunt and uncle who adopt him. Book Two is filled with much hard work, a few confrontations, and many accomplishments for the young characters and their elders. Whatever the challenge, be it moving, remodeling, starting a business, or rescuing an abused classmate, they meet it with courage, creativity, and mutual support.

Throughout the book, music is central to the main characters' lives. Pat, Lucy, and Carlos gain fulfillment and fame as the musical group "The Miracle." The beautiful piano on the cover is the same model featured in Chapter 9. There could be no better symbol of the art that brings Pat and his friends so much joy — and will for the rest of their lives.

Edited by David and Leonore H. Dvorkin
Cover by David Dvorkin

It's Still Christmas

Click on cover image for larger version.

© 2015 by John Justice
35 pages long

Once getting by financially, the Gleasons have become homeless and close to hopeless. But their faith in God and His mercy has never wavered. Now Christmas is close, and their lives are about to undergo a drastic change. The lifesaving aid they give to a stranger, an elderly Jewish widower, is soon repaid in ways they could never have imagined. Enjoy this touching story of mingled hearts, trust, and faiths.

Edited by David and Leonore H. Dvorkin
Cover by David Dvorkin

Love Letters in the Grand

Click on cover image for larger version.

© 2017 by John Justice

From the Introduction

The 30 stories in this collection are all true. I tuned pianos in New York and Philadelphia from 1965 until 1993. The work was rewarding in and of itself, and the characters I met in those years bring back happy memories even today. —John Justice

About the Book

And what memories they are! There was plenty of drama, as well as more routine work. A few examples: The author tuned the piano for an Elvis Presley concert and one for a performance of the Bolshoi Ballet. He worked on a cruise ship and in a noisy department store. He once tuned the piano of a drug dealer, and another old piano housed a carefully preserved Tommy gun. There were numerous prima donnas (male and female) to try to deal with, plus a vicious dog he had to clobber with his tool kit to get him off his guide dog, Star. And there really was a stack of love letters hidden in a grand piano by a wayward girl.

The beloved Star is a character in her own right, a calm and loving companion to the author to the end of her working life. Any dog lover, blind or sighted, will enjoy the descriptions of her help and companionship. Throughout the book, the author's dedication to his craft, his love of people and music, his strong work ethic, and his caring nature all shine through.

Previous Public Appearances

December 10, 2015

On Thursday, December 10, 2015, John and Linda Justice were the guest speakers at a Rotary Club breakfast meeting.

December 14, 2015

On Monday, December 14, 2015, John and Linda appeared at a public library in their area.

About John Justice

In His Own Words

John Justice
2016

I was born in 1945, just at the end of World War II. I have been blind since the age of three. Shortly after my birth, my parents moved to a poultry farm in Southern New Jersey. I attended schools for the blind until I graduated eighth grade. I was then mainstreamed into a parochial high school in Wildwood. I graduated with honors in 1964.

I have been married to my wife, Linda, since 1981. We live in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. We don't have any children. I have always found that being creative was a part of me. I have written many articles for publication and have published several songs. Writing is now, and will always be, my dream.

Contact Information
Email: john_justice@verizon.net
Phone: 215-657-2577