Where words are restrained..the eyes often talk a great deal

By Lois Mittino Gray

Local resident Frank Rynkiewich wrote an entire 222-page book using only his eyeballs. Preorder sales of ‘Hard Pressed from Every Side’ are skyrocketing on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books A Million websites, even before its official release date on June 2.

Faced with the debilitating disease of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, Frank shares his profound journey through suffering, addressing the often contentious question of God’s character in the face of adversity. He was diagnosed with the terminal neurodegenerative disease in October 2021, when he was just 30 years old, and his sons were only 2 and 3 years old.

As the disease progresses, it has robbed him of the use of his voice and body muscles, but that has not daunted his desire to share his spiritual thoughts with readers. “ALS took his voice, but he can still be heard,” said his wife, Maddie. “TOBII Dynavax has given him a voice through its eye gaze system.”

Toby, as his boys call the amazing device, allows Frank to choose letters to type by looking at them. Maddie says every day Frank sits in his wheelchair before the screen and it does a calibration. It finds his pupils and makes sure everything is aligned for the scanning process to be accurate and precise. “He looks at a letter and dwells on it for .6 seconds and it types it,” she described.

Maddie (Madison) and Frank were childhood sweethearts as Vikings at North Posey High School. He was graduated in 2009 and she a year later in 2010. They were married in 2014 and he was employed as a mechanical engineer. Their two sons, Theo and Henry, are 7 and 8 years old now.

Frank wrote responses to my questions with his TOBII Dynavax with its eye gaze technology. He recalled that the book first started “as my personal notes from Bible passages that I read, which eventually became an outline. As the ALS disease progressed, so much was happening in my life that I knew I had to turn it into a story. The outline turned into a narrative and then it became a manuscript. I started the book in the Spring of 2023 and finished it in early 2026.”

Frank wrote the book entirely on his own. It wasn’t until the Fall of 2025 that he first shared it with Maddie. “She gave me some ideas for additional content and helped proofread,” he recounted.

The interesting title is a bible reference from 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9, in Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. “I chose it because everyone is hard-pressed on every side in some way or another, but in Christ we have an eternal perspective that can help us persevere through hardships. That’s why Paul was hard-pressed, but not crushed; he relied on God’s strength, not his own.”

“My primary purpose in writing the book is to share the Gospel with as many people as possible. My hope is that, through the framework of my testimony, people will take a look at their own faith. I also desire people to have a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about suffering and its purpose in the believer’s life.”

Frank’s remarkable attitude and bright smile is a wonder with his physical challenges. What is the source? “My strength, peace, joy, and contentment are not my own. I have been transformed by the Word of God in heart and mind; I have been regenerated. Without Jesus, I would not be able to function. The Bible has made me fix my eyes on eternity instead of this world. I still pray for physical healing and I am doing everything I can, but ultimately my hope is found in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” he reflected.

Amazon writes of the book, “In Hard Pressed on Every Side, Frank Rynkiewich serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with their faith amidst trials. This book delves into the reality of a paralyzing health crisis and exemplifies how any form of suffering can lead to spiritual growth. Frank emphasizes that God, in His infinite love, can transform our hardships into opportunities for good. Through biblical truths, readers will gain a deeper understanding of why suffering exists and its purpose in the believer’s life. The book also covers essential concepts such as the Gospel, repentance, being born again, sanctification, and obedience, providing a comprehensive framework for navigating life’s challenges.”

“Hard Pressed on Every Side is not just a personal narrative; it is a guide for anyone seeking to reconcile their experiences with their faith. By offering practical insights and scriptural wisdom, Frank encourages readers to embrace their struggles as part of their spiritual journey, ultimately leading to maturity in Christ. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to find meaning and hope in the midst of suffering, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God’s love prevails.”

Frank feels that although he lost his voice, he can still share his testimony and proclaim the best story of all, the good news of Jesus Christ.

His book, by Palmetto Publishing, sells for $ 14.24 in paperback, $5.99 on Kindle and for $21.99 in hardback on Amazon, with delivery on June 2 and afterwards.

Maddie spoke in gratefulness for the support the family has received through the years and with the book. “Our community has been wonderful to us. We thank them for their love and support through this.” To write to encourage Frank, his email is frankrynk@gmail.com.