Compelling and honest life of a stubborn BC rancher living tenaciously in the face of her Multiple Sclerosis condition. The devastating diagnosis of an incurable, debilitating disease does not ordinarily form the starting point of a triumphant story. This, however, is a triumphant story. Heidi Redl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004 and immediately chose to fight the disease with the only tools available to her: sheer stubbornness and courage.
Growing up on a pioneer ranch in the rough and dusty days of the late 1960s and the 1970s, Redl learned at a young age to be self-reliant and tenacious. Life as a rancher had given her the courage she would need to bravely and persistently fight back against this chronic disease that now affects 2.5 million people worldwide. But nothing in her previous experiences could fully prepare her to live with an equally tenacious enemy.
In A Quiet Roar, Redl shares the struggles and triumphs in her uphill battle with multiple sclerosis. To survive, Redl must first learn to trust and rely on other people for the help she would need in the new reality of her daily life. This compelling and honest memoir is a record of her struggle against the physical challenges of living with a progressive disease but also of the support and incredible friendships she found along the way.

Heidi Redl lives and writes with multiple sclerosis in Williams Lake, BC. Her columns and stories have appeared in Canadian Cowboy Country magazine, in the MS Kamloops Chapter newsletter, in Canadian Geographic and in MacLean’s magazines. She continues to write, to teach writing, and to struggle against the effects of MS in her life with the help of her husband, Tom, and her family and friends.

Heidi Redl's profile page

"I identified with many parts of the book. I too deal with depression and mobility issues. I was filled with much hope reading that she too was flat out miserable and grumpy at times. She fell, figuratively and literally, and always got back up; to a happier place."

—Ellie, Modern Day MS

"I feel there is kinship here, in the pages of A Quiet Roar. Redl reaches out. Redl writes her own reflection, which is also my reflection, which is also yours. I never used to believe in community, solidarity, group therapy, but now I understand. Now I see a desire, which is also Redl's desire, in myself, to somehow and in some way be seen."

—Brianna Albers, Monstering

"Heidi Redl has written a story about living with MS as it progresses degree by degree and year after year. But this is a story about stubbornness, perseverance, courage, hope, and a good deal more success than failure. It is a book we can all learn from about how to get through and past the many adversities and travails of a life. I think you should read and learn from it."

—Sharon Butala, author of Where I Live Now