Geraldine Lavelle's book, "When the Apple is Ready, it Will Fall," chronicles her life after a tragic cycling accident left her paralysed. It explores themes of resilience, hope, and the challenges of living with a disability. The book details her physical and emotional struggles, including chronic pain, health complications due to medication and infections, and her battles with bureaucracy to secure adequate care and housing. Lavelle examines the concepts of "survival vs living", analysing the importance of both a hopeful mindset and pragmatic action in overcoming adversity. She provides reflections on living with a spinal cord injury, her past life, her concerns regarding the disability system, and navigating the complexities of institutionalisation and independence, all in the context of finding strength and purpose despite her circumstances.