Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance

Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance

A True Story

This is the story of Davin J. Douma and his incredible journey.

When Davin was 16 years old he was convicted of killing a man and sentenced to life in prison. While in the county jail awaiting trial, Davin’s appendix burst. He laid on a cold cell floor in severe pain for days unattended. Then, when it was almost too late, he was in a hospital where he was fed intravenously for five months. Weighing only 90 pounds after being in the hospital, he was sent to a dangerous maximum security prison with adult prisoners. Only one out of a hundred juveniles with life sentences ever come out of this type of prison. Many die and others are never released in Oklahoma where Davin was imprisoned.  He used his intelligence and people skills to survive.

In prison, Davin changed and he dedicated himself to intensive personal development. Prison, in a way, became like his monastery. He read over 4,000 books on every subject imaginable, took courses, became a highly skilled martial artist, practiced Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation. He practiced Tai Chi for at least 2 hours a day for over 20 years and became a Tai Chi master.  Davin also became a skilled writer and speaker and worked on his character development. He became a teacher on a variety of subjects for other prisoners and helped young newcomers adjust to prison and to rehabilitate themselves. For over 25 years he spoke to schools and to kids to steer them away from a life of crime.

What people are saying...

“Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance is a story about a young man’s journey through prison life and his extraordinary heroism of using the constraints, horrors and obscenities of his surroundings to propel him into a quest of personal growth, self-discipline and personal enlightenment.

“This book is also about the memoirs of a remarkable mother who attentively gave her devotion and attentiveness to that son and was perhaps the principle player underlying this whole miracle.
A true inspiration. The reader comes away realizing that no matter what cards fate has dealt us, ours is not to give up or give in, but to stalwartly without self-pity journey through, conquer and thus be transformed in the process.”

– Susan Wilkins, Writer and Educator

“I want to commend you for the extraordinary effort you put in to this manuscript. The love that you have for Davin is evident throughout the story, as is the decades of anguish you suffered. You write with focus, clarity, and intensity, and we feel all the raw emotions that you so bravely reveal to us.

“Davin is one of the most compelling people I have ever read about in any book. He accomplished more, and helped more people, while in prison that most people do in their entire lives in the free world. He has inspired me to be a better person. 

“It was remarkable to see Davin develop his mind, morality, and skills with each passing year. In his letters, I could see him mature as a writer. He became incredibly strong physically, mentally, and emotionally while remaining kind, compassionate, and attentive to those around him.” 

– David Aretha, Author and Editor

“Hall (Earthships, 2017, etc.) recounts the experience of watching her son, co-author Douma (Hard Light, 2016, etc.) grow into an accomplished, caring man despite the limitations imposed on him by a life behind bars.”

…“The ending, however, packs an emotional wallop, and Hall’s life includes some intriguing and devastating moments, such as her husband’s suicide and inexplicable premonitions and visions.”

– Kirkus Reviews