I would like to dedicate this book to all the people without whom I would not have written it and to those without whom it would not have been worth writing. First of all, I dedicate it to my entire family and to Marina, the love of my life as well as her parents, Philip and Stephania, whom I am happy to consider among my closest friends.  Beyond that, all of the people in the community in Odelzhausen deserve my deepest gratitude. Among them Mr. Heinrich especially stands out. Without his decision to let me enroll in a regular school, my life story would have taken a very different turn .Mr. and Mrs. Zauscher played important roles in that as well. Furthermore I want to dedicate this book to Dr. Steve Doran, whom I see as a friend and as someone who has for years pushed me to write some version of this work.  The countless teachers and professors who have guided me throughout my academic career deserve credit for the path my life has taken as well. Last but not least, I would like to thank the people who have worked with me at the publisher Outskirts Press; they have given me a platform by accepting this memoir and have also helped to improve it