Steve Wewerka, pictured here while selling some of his work, will host a book signing Oct. 10 at Fuller Lodge. Courtesy photo
NEWS RELEASE
World-renowned photographer, writer and Los Alamos native Steve Wewerka will be in town to discuss and sign his new book, ‘Sunrise at Sunset: My Story of Transformation after a Hemorrhagic Stroke’, at Fuller Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wewerka suffered a stroke while socializing with a friend in December 2022. In an instant, his life changed beyond anything he’d ever imagined. Through either luck or grace, he survived a traumatic event that more often than not kills when it strikes. His fast-thinking friend and first-rate care saved his life, but recovery took time, patience, and resolve. Throughout his months-long healing process, Steve journaled daily, documenting the ups and downs with an overarching sense of gratitude.
Part memoir, part meditation, and part coping strategies, “Sunrise at Sunset: My Story of Transformation after a Hemorrhagic Stroke” describes in clear, honest, and positive prose Wewerka’s journey back to health and happiness and the gifts he gained from facing his mortality. Each day of his recuperation, he blogged about his thoughts and his physical and emotional experiences. Months later and well on his path to full recovery, he revisited those posts and added context, analysis, and further essays to produce a book filled with insight, empathy, and optimism.
“Having a bleed in my brain was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced, but the gifts I’ve gained through my recovery have provided me with life-changing personal growth,” Steve said. “I want to share that with others. You can find hope and happiness after suffering a traumatic event, whatever that might be.”
Beginning his book tour at Fuller Lodge seemed a natural step to take. Only two months after Steve was born, the Wewerkas moved to Los Alamos and stayed at the lodge.
“I consider this place to be my first home, and since I had something of a rebirth after my stroke, Fuller Lodge seemed a logical place to commemorate it,” Steve said.
Although he has traveled the world, his childhood in Los Alamos gave him a strong sense of self. “I loved the outdoor adventures I had growing up on the Hill. I have rich memories of ice skating, skiing, and hiking throughout my youth. Those experiences, I feel, contributed to developing my career as a landscape photographer,” Steve said. “Living in that small town and creating strong social and family connections contributed to my overall positive outlook. That, I think, also helped me in recovering.”
In fact, old classmates from Los Alamos High School cheered him on and encouraged his journey throughout his healing. “As I blogged about my recovery, old friends reached out. They sent me comforting messages and bought my art. Even though I hadn’t seen some of them in 40 years, their support reaffirmed my notion that the Los Alamos community, then and now, is something special. It also solidified my desire to write ‘Sunrise at Sunset’. It’s my way of giving back by helping others who have suffered trauma.”
Steve lives in Florida and Wisconsin when he’s not traveling. You can read more of his writing and view his photographs at https://stevewewerka.com/, YouTube, and Instagram.