ReelStories: Personal Reflections Dear Autism: One Parent’s Journey by Robin Archambault Outskirts Press Available in HPL: no AUTISM SUCKS, BUT LIFE DOESN'T HAVE TO...My oldest son, Ryan, was fourteen years old and still pooping in a diaper when I realized that my life would never fully be my own. I knew he would forever need me; forever need some form of care. The sleepless nights, crazy obsessions, ritualistic behaviors, temper tantrums, head banging, and even messy diapers all seemed endless. Autism was never going to leave me alone. It was going to haunt me until my dying day unless I decided to fight back somehow. Even on the worst of days, when tears seemed to be my only friend, I tried to find something to make me laugh, even a little. I tried to turn the wrong into something right, something laughable. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine, especially when you're laughing so hard, the tears are not only running down your face but also your leg. Dear Autism: One Parent's Journey is a realistic, down-to-earth, honest depiction of what it is like to raise a low-to-moderate functioning child with autism to adulthood. It wasn't always pretty, but it was always filled with love. About Nick: A Mother's Journal by Karen S. Baker Pleasant Word Available in HPL: no An uplifting real life story about a child who was born with a syndrome called colpolcephaly, who against the odds, lived and learned and loved life. This book gives hope to all parents of special needs children. It is a story of faith in God and victorious living. It's a story about a mother's unconditional love and the journey of a family as they raised this special boy. A must-read for doctors, physical therapists, social workers, teachers, psychology students and anyone else who loves special people. Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic by Martha Beck Harmony Available in HPL: no John and Martha Beck had two Harvard degrees apiece when they conceived their second child. Further graduate studies, budding careers, and a growing family meant major stress—not that they'd have admitted it to anyone (or themselves). As the pregnancy progressed, Martha battled constant nausea and dehydration. And when she learned her unborn son had Down syndrome, she battled nearly everyone over her decision to continue the pregnancy. She still cannot explain many of the things that happened to her while she was expecting Adam, but by the time he was born, Martha, as she puts it, "had to unlearn virtually everything Harvard taught [her] about what is precious and what is garbage."

Loving Rachel: A Family’s Journey from Grief by Jane Bernstein University of Illinois Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) In 1983, Jane Bernstein had everything she ever wanted: a healthy four-year-old daughter, Charlotte; a happy marriage; a highly praised first novel; and a brand new baby, Rachel. But by the time Rachel was six weeks old, a neuro-ophthalmologist told Jane and her husband that their baby was blind. Although there was some hope that Rachel might gain partial vision as she grew, her condition was one that often resulted in seizure disorders and intellectual impairment. So began a series of medical and emotional setbacks that were to plague Rachel and her parents and strain their marriage to the breaking point. Spanning the first four years of Rachel’s life, Loving Rachel is a heartbreaking chronicle of a marriage and a compelling story of parental love told with searing honesty and surprising humor. Rachel in the World: A Memoir by Jane Bernstein University of Illinois Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) What happens when love is no longer enough? Jane Bernstein thought that learning to accept her daughter’s disabilities meant her struggles were over. But as Rachel grew up and needed more than a parent’s devotion, both mother and daughter were confronted with formidable obstacles. Rachel in the World, which begins in Rachel’s fifth year and ends when she turns twenty-two, tells of their barriers and successes with the same honesty and humor that made Loving Rachel, Bernstein’s first memoir, a classic in its field. The linked accounts in part 1 center on family issues, social services, experiences with caregivers, and Rachel herself--difficult, charming, hard to fathom, eager for her own independence. The second part of the book chronicles Bernstein’s attempt to find Rachel housing at a time when over 200,000 Americans with mental retardation were on waiting lists for residential services. As Rachel prepares to leave her mother’s constant protection, Bernstein invites the reader to share the frustrations and unexpected pleasures of finding a place for her daughter, first in her family, and then in the world. My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Disabilities by Yantra Bertelli, Jennifer Silverman, Sarah Talbot PM Press Available in HPL: no The stories in this collection provide parents of special needs kids with a dose of both laughter and reality. Featuring works by so-called alternative parents who have attempted to move away from mainstream thought, this anthology carefully considers the implications of raising children with disabilities. From professional writers to novice storytellers, including original essays by Robert Rummel-Hudson, Ayun Halliday, and Kerry Cohen, this assortment of authentic, shared experiences from parents in the know is a partial antidote to the stories that misrepresent, ridicule, and objectify disabled children and their parents.

Life As We Know It: A Father, a Family, and an Exceptional Child by Michael Berube Vintage Available in HPL: no When Jamie Bérubé was born with Down syndrome in 1991, he was immediately subject to the medical procedures, insurance guidelines, policies, and representations that surround every child our society designates as disabled. In this wrenching yet ultimately inspiring book, Jamie's father, literary scholar Michael Bérubé, describes not only the challenges of raising his son but the challenge of seeing him as a person rather than as a medical, genetic, or social problem. Judy's World: The World of Autism Through the Eyes of a Mother by Judy Blake www.briobooks.com Available in HPL: no Message from the Author: "I believe Judy's World is special because it is about the journey of raising two children with special needs rather than one child. I am also a single parent which brings a different perspective as well. In addition to having autism, my boys also cope with anxiety, ADD, Tourette Syndrome and OCD. Each of these issues affects my boys in different ways and the reader gains insight into a world they thought they knew.” Alandra's Lilacs: The Story of a Mother and Her Deaf Daughter by Tressa Bowers Gallaudet University Press Available in HPL: no When, in 1968, 19-year-old Tressa Bowers took her baby daughter to an expert on deaf children, he pronounced that Alandra was “stone deaf,” she most likely would never be able to talk, and she probably would not get much of an education because of her communication limitations. Tressa refused to accept this stark assessment of Alandra’s prospects. Instead, she began the arduous process of starting her daughter’s education. Economic need forced Tressa to move several times, and as a result, she and Alandra experienced a variety of learning environments: a pure oralist approach, which discouraged signing; Total Communication, in which the teachers spoke and signed simultaneously; a residential school for deaf children, where Signed English was employed; and a mainstream public school that relied upon interpreters. Through it all, Tressa and Alandra never lost sight of their love for each other, and their affection rippled through the entire family. Alandra’s Lilacs is a marvelous story about the resiliency and achievements of determined, loving people no matter what their circumstances might be.

The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Journey to Understand His Extraordinary Son by Ian Brown St. Martin’s Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Walker Brown was born with a genetic mutation so rare that doctors call it an orphan syndrome: perhaps 300 people around the world also live with it. Walker turns twelve in 2008, but he weighs only 54 pounds, is still in diapers, can’t speak and needs to wear special cuffs on his arms so that he can’t continually hit himself. “Sometimes watching him,” Brown writes, “is like looking at the man in the moon – but you know there is actually no man there. But if Walker is so insubstantial, why does he feel so important? What is he trying to show me?” A Special Education: One Family’s Journey Through the Maze of Learning Disabilities by Dana Buchman Da Capo Lifelong Books Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Dana Buchman knew almost nothing about "learning differences" when her oldest daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed with neurological, spatial, and motor skill disabilities as a toddler. Furthermore, from the Ivy League to the launch of her own fashion label, Buchman had encountered few obstacles that couldn't be overcome through hard work and determination. Unfortunately, Buchman's well-developed ability to "fix" things would not serve her in her efforts to deal with Charlotte's disabilities; she would have to develop a new skill set to be able to see Charlotte as a person with unique abilities. A riveting and intensely personal memoir, A Special Education reveals the long and arduous process of Charlotte's development as well as Buchman's own path to self-discovery. Confessing frequent anxiety, guilt, frustration, and anger, Buchman describes the difficult search to find the right school and care for Charlotte and the strain the process put on her marriage and family life. In addition, Buchman tells of her own struggles with excessive drinking and workaholism-and of finally letting go of her drive to be "perfect." A moving mother-daughter story, A Special Education is an inspiring account of one mother's journey to acceptance and understanding as well as a family's triumph over daunting circumstances. The Child Who Never Grew by Pearl Buck Woodbine House Available in HPL: no The Child Who Never Grew is Buck’s candid memoir of her relationship with her oldest daughter, who was born with a rare type of mental retardation. A forerunner of its kind, the memoir was published in 1950 and helped demolish the cruel taboos surrounding learning disabilities. Buck describes life with her daughter, Carol, whose special needs led Buck to send her to one of the best schools for disabled children in the United States—which she paid for in part by writing The Good Earth, her multimillion-selling classic novel.

Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story by Sam Carchidi Triumph Books Available in HPL: yes (Click here) In a matter of a few seconds, a strong, promising young Buffalo Bills player lay paralyzed and very mortal after a violent collision on the second-half kickoff return during the opening weekend of the 2007 NFL season. Kevin Everett, second-year tight end and special team's player, went helmet-to-helmet with Denver Broncos return man, Domenik Hixon, with all the force a 6'4", 260-pound 25-year-old can muster while running downfield full-bore. Fate was on Kevin's side. Only a few days prior, the medical-training staff had practiced a spinal-cord drill supervised by Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Cappuccino was on the sidelines during this game as a regular member of the Buffalo Bills medical staff, one of the few NFL teams to be so staffed. Cappuccino determined that Everett was quadriplegic, as he lay on the field of Ralph Wilson Stadium. And so began a real-life drill. With controversial and aggressive medical care, Kevin began a tougher challenge than any Sunday-football warrior faces; he was in a fight for his life and faculties. Dr. Cappuccino employed a daring, debated, but not scientifically proven, hypothermic method of treating Everett's paralysis. Kevin's body temperature was lowered to 93.8 degrees to prevent further damage from neurological swelling. Yet within twelve days, during which Dr. Cappuccino risked his medical career in order to look Kevin in the eye knowing he did everything to help him, Everett was flown to Houston (his home) to begin rehab. Less than a month later he would be walking with assistance. This remarkable and heart-warming story is not just about a doctor and his patient; it is about the love of a family and a fiancé who have been at Everett's side throughout his grueling rehabilitation. It is a story of Kevin's strength of will and his determination to regain his life. There is also an unfinished story of new beginnings and coming to inner peace, as Everett contemplates his rehabilitation, future health, and life after NFL football. This amazing story of recovery begins with Kevin's appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where he will tell Oprah's national audience the dramatic saga. Blessings: A Heartwarming Classic of Hope by Mary Craig Sorin Books Available in HPL: yes (Click here) To describe this inspiring book simply as the story of a mother of a seriously ill and another, severely handicapped, child would be a great disservice. Originally published in England where it sold over 200,000 copies, this expanded edition takes a whole new generation on an unforgettable, journey of spiritual discovery. Craig presents an honest, moving portrayal of sorrow and heartbreak while simultaneously offering a hope-filled, uplifting look at life. Not just for people who have lived with the disabled, Blessings is for anyone who seeks hope and meaning in life--even in the midst of suffering.

Aidan's Way: The Story of a Boy’s Life and a Father’s Journey by Sam Crane, George T. Crane Sourcebooks Available in HPL: yes (Click here) “This life we're given comes in its own season and then follows its vanishing away. If you're at ease in your season, if you can dwell in its vanishing, joy and sorrow never touch you. This is what the ancients called getting free....Aidan's crisis had liberated me in a way. We had come close to death, had looked over the edge of the precipice, and then moved back. He would die at some point, perhaps young, maybe very young. He was profoundly disabled, even more so than he had been before. But his near-death had altered my vision. The length of his life or the physical particulars of his life were not as important as the mere fact of his life itself. He was following along in his own season, moving on the currents of the Way....” Sam Crane, a professor of Asian Studies, has to cope with more than he ever imagined when his son Aidan is born with severe disabilities. Turning to the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu -- he comes to understand Aidan. Gradually, we become aware of Aidan's profound impact on others, including his father, his family and the larger community.

Matthew: A Son's Life, A Mother's Story by Anne Crosby Paul Dry Books Available in HPL: no From the moment she held him in her arms, Anne Crosby had deep fears for her newborn son. Although the staff at the hospital in London paid no attention to her concerns, her instincts were correct: Matthew had Down syndrome. After struggling with her contradictory feelings, Crosby set about doing whatever she could to help Matthew lead as full a life as possible. In this remarkable memoir, Crosby explores Matthew’s inner life, telling of his mimicry and unexpected humor, his outbursts of affection and occasional fits of misery, his gallantry toward his first love, and his disappointment over the loss of his first job. Crosby’s portrait gives us an image of Matthew that deepens our understanding of what it means to be human. I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames: My Insane Life Raising Two Boys with Autism by Jeni Decker Skyhorse Publishing Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Jeni Decker is five-foot nothing and one hundred and [redacted] pounds—a self described roly-poly, forty-something, Reubenesque bon-bon of a gal, often called cute but never sexy. She has two sons with autism on opposite ends of the spectrum (Jake and Jaxson), a husband who prefers hunting to household chores, an Australian Shepherd named Sugar, and an albino frog named Humbert Humbert. This is her story—a brash, personal, and some-times shocking memoir of one woman’s determination to raise two healthy kids with

autism and keep her sanity in the process. It’s not always easy. Between “poop” incidents, temper tantrums, and the “helpful” advice about parenting from her fellow citizens in the grocery store, Jeni often finds herself wanting to throw something. Maps to the Other Side: the Adventures of a Bipolar Cartographer by Sascha Altman DuBrul Real World Available in HPL: no Part mad manifesto, part revolutionary love letter, part freight train adventure story—Maps to the Other Side is a self-reflective shattered mirror, a twist on the classic punk rock travel narrative that searches for authenticity and connection in the lives of strangers and the solidarity and limitations of underground community. Beginning at the edge of the internet age, a time when radical zine culture prefigured social networking sites, these timely writings paint an illuminated trail through a complex labyrinth of undocumented migrants, anarchist community organizers, brilliant visionary artists, revolutionary seed savers, punk rock historians, social justice farmers, radical mental health activists, and iconoclastic bridge builders. This book is a document of one person’s odyssey to transform his experiences navigating the psychiatric system by building community in the face of adversity; a set of maps for how rebels and dreamers can survive and thrive in a crazy world. More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs by Heather Fawcett and Amy Baskin Woodbine House Available in HPL: no More Than a Mom explores how women can lead rich, fulfilling personal lives while parenting a child with special needs. The authors' skillful blend of research, personal experiences, and feedback from over 500 mothers across North America results in a book that is jam-packed with practical strategies, advice, and reassurance for mothers trying to create more manageable and fulfilling lives. More Than a Mom addresses the universal concerns and questions of all mothers, coupled with the added intensity of raising children with disabilities. This how-to guide looks at the challenges mothers face at home, at work, and within themselves, with special attention paid to: Staying healthy both physically and emotionally, keeping friendships, staying organized, maintaining your marriage, nurturing interests and goals, seeking flexible work options, changing careers or starting a business, rejoining the workforce, finding specialized childcare, and advocating for your child. Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge by Dr. Barbara Firestone Jessica Kingsley Pub Available in HPL: no Intimate, bold and inspiring, Autism Heroes provides a compelling and sensitive account of the experiences of 38 families from different walks of life confronting the challenges of autism with courage, tenacity and love. With empathy and expertise gained from her three decades of leadership of The Help Group and her commitment to children with special

needs, Dr. Barbara Firestone engages the families in candid, powerful and deeply affecting conversations about their lives. Each family narrative is set against the backdrop of her insightful essays about dignity, hope, opportunity and love, which are fundamentally important to all families living with autism. The families offer their experiences openly and honestly, sharing their challenges, triumphs and hopes. Their candor helps demystify and de-stigmatize autism and embraces other parents just beginning or already on the journey. Their reflections chart the course through the many stages of coping with autism and seeking solutions for their children, and they offer a lifeline of support, insight, encouragement and hope. This Lovely Life: A Memoir of Premature Motherhood by Vicki Forman Mariner Books Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Vicki Forman gave birth to Evan and Ellie, weighing just a pound at birth, at twenty-three weeks’ gestation. During the delivery she begged the doctors to "let her babies go" — she knew all too well that at twenty-three weeks they could very well die and, if they survived, they would face a high risk of permanent disabilities. However, California law demanded resuscitation. Her daughter died just four days later; her son survived and was indeed multiply disabled: blind, nonverbal, and dependent on a feeding tube. This Lovely Life tells, with brilliant intensity, of what became of the Forman family after the birth of the twins — the harrowing medical interventions and ethical considerations involving the sanctity of life and death. In the end, the long delayed first steps of a five-year-old child will seem like the fist-pumping stuff of a triumph narrative. Forman’s intelligent voice gives a sensitive, nuanced rendering of her guilt, her anger, and her eventual acceptance in this portrait of a mother’s fierce love for her children.

Dear Gabriel by Halfdan W. Freihow MacAdam Cage Available in HPL: no Dear Gabriel is a deeply moving and elegantly written confessional in the form of a letter from a father to his young son. With great love, pride, and a profound wonder, Freihow describes a complex, loving relationship with young Gabriel that is sometimes fraught with misunderstanding, but bolstered by unconditional love. His sensitive depiction of the haunting rural landscape in which the family lives serves as a powerful backdrop to the intimate prose of his letter and rich sense of childhood magic. Dear Gabriel reaches out to all parents in their struggle to understand and nurture their children, regardless of any obstacles that may stand in their way. It is a tender yet brutally honest testament to love and the parent-child relationship.

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children By Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian Harmony Available in HPL: yes (Click here) On a “perfection-preoccupied planet,” sisters Gina and Patty dare to speak up about the frustrations, sadness, and stigmas they face as parents of children with disabilities (one with Asperger’s syndrome, the other with bipolar disorder). This refreshingly frank book, which will alternately make you want to tear your hair out and laugh your head off, should be required reading for parents of disabled children. Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid provides wise and funny advice. What About the Boy? A Father's Pledge to His Disabled Son by Stephen Gallup Lestrygonian Books Available in HPL: no Nobody knew what hurt little Joseph, and no one was offering a way to help him. He cried most of the time, and thrashed about as if in pain. He wasn't learning how to crawl, talk, or interact normally. Doctors told his parents to seek counseling, because nothing could help their son, and the quality of their own lives was at risk. Refusal to accept that advice changed their lives forever. What About the Boy? A Father's Pledge to His Disabled Son chronicles a family's rejection of hopelessness and their commitment to the pursuit of normalcy. Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly Scribner Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Gabrielle Gifford’s and Mark Kelly’s story is a reminder of the power of true grit, the patience needed to navigate unimaginable obstacles, and the transcendence of love. Their arrival in the world spotlight came under the worst of circumstances. On January 8, 2011, while meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, Gabby was the victim of an assassination attempt that left six people dead and thirteen wounded. Gabby was shot in the head; doctors called her survival “miraculous.” As the nation grieved and sought to understand the attack, Gabby remained in private, focused on her against all- odds recovery. Intimate, inspiring, and unforgettably moving, Gabby provides an unflinching look at the overwhelming challenges of brain injury, the painstaking process of learning to communicate again, and the responsibilities that fall to a loving spouse who wants the best possible treatment for his wife. Told in Mark’s voice and from Gabby’s heart, the book also chronicles the lives that brought these two extraordinary people together—their humor, their ambitions, their sense of duty, their long distance marriage, and their desire for family.

Laughter and Tears: A Family's Journey To Understanding The Autism Spectrum by Ann Hewetson Jessica Kingsley Pub Available in HPL: no Laughter and Tears is a first-hand account of parenting Mark, a young man with autism, and also of a mother's struggle to understand and appreciate her son's condition. Ann Hewetson's moving and thoughtful account describes Mark's communication problems; sensory integration and food allergies shared by many people with autism, but also tell of Mark's associated problems like rheumatoid arthritis and bipolar mood swings. The author recounts how she dedicated her life to finding out more about autism. Aided by her background in research and biology, she delves into the available literature and interweaves the narrative of Mark's life with illuminating pointers drawn from the work of Leo Kanner, Hans Asperger and Carl Delacato among others. Cutting-edge developments in the field, for instance co-existing psychiatric disorders, cognitive behaviour therapy and brain research, are also explained in a way that will be easily understood by any parent. Ann's journey from initial incomprehension and a desire to find a 'solution' to her son's autism concludes with a resolution for both Mark and Ann as they arrive at a deeper understanding of autism and an appreciation of its strengths. This book will be indispensable to both parents and professionals in offering a unique, reflective account of Mark's exceptional life and also a wide-ranging exploration of useful and innovative approaches to autism. Jackie: The Heart Warming, Inspirational True Story of a Remarkable Down Syndrome Girl by Dan Junot Center for Special Services Available in HPL: no 113 entertaining pages of laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud stories...with a point: practical, experience-based advice for nurturing the full potential of special children. You will revisit JACKIE again & again as your child grows. A must read for all family members, friends, clergy, family doctors, pediatricians, caseworkers, special education teachers, & other professionals associated with newborn & young mentally retarded children! A Miracle on the Road to Recovery by John Keller Word & Spirit Resources, LLC Available in HPL: no Tragedy strikes suddenly as a deadly motorcycle crash forever changes the idyllic life of 33-year-old John Keller. This is the testimony of how his family's unquenchable love and unstoppable faith in the promise of God walked John through the miraculous healing of a traumatic brain injury. The prevailing truth - Don't go by what you see, but by what you know God's Word says - carried them through the most challenging years of their lives. John Keller is truly a miracle of biblical proportions! Powerful keys to walking out a miracle are highlighted in the book for anyone facing a crisis or tragedy to implement.

The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons From My Silent Son by Annie Lubliner Lehmann AuthorHouse Available in HPL: no A child teaches without intending to. Having severe autism does not stop the author’s son from teaching her some of life’s most valuable lessons. The Accidental Teacher is a heartfelt memoir about self-discovery rather than illness and uses insight and humor to weave a tale rich with kitchen table wisdom. This book is a must-read for anyone who has been personally touched by a major life challenge. We Were Relentless: A Family’s Journey to Overcome Disability by Martin Levin Xlibris Corporation Available in HPL: no Jordan Levin’s life started out as a perilous and suspenseful adventure for his parents. Born three months premature, he was so small that he weighed only 31 ounces – with tiny hands the size of a man’s fingernail. He had to have a series of operations to correct conditions that threatened his grip on life. But hang on he did. And when it seemed that everything would turn out fine, as a toddler, Jordan was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf – he could hear sounds with frequencies below a certain threshold, but above that and he was at a loss. Amazingly, even before the diagnosis, young Jordan had the uncanny and innate ability to lip-read. So, with the courage and foresight of his parents who were determined to raise him as normally as possible, he learned how to speak, graduated with a B.A. from Michigan State University and grew up to become a successful and confident young man. Later, he would embark on a career as a motivational speaker and personal trainer. More than a fascinating story of a person’s triumph over disability, We Were Relentless: A Family’s Journey to Overcome Disability is also a touching account about a father’s and mother’s love for their son – and how they encouraged him every step of the way to be all that he could be. More God: Seeing the Blessings Through the Pain by Nate Lytle WestBowPress Available in HPL: no On June 3rd, 2007, right after competing in his first surfing contest, Nate Lytle sensed that surfing may have become a distraction in hearing from God. As he drove home that night, Nate made a commitment to God that he wouldn't surf for a whole year. The next day Nate fell from the top of a ten foot ladder, shattering his skull and leaving him with a severe brain injury. Nate was not expected to live, and even if he did survive, the doctors said he would never walk, talk, or communicate again. As word spread about Nate's condition, his surfing buddies urged one another on with the phrase "Pray for Nate". More God tells the compelling story of how God brought back Nate from the brink of death and put him in the

very unique position of speaking truth into the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Blue Peninsula: Essential Words for a Life of Loss and Change by Madge McKeithen Farrar, Straus and Giroux Available in HPL: no "My son's illness is eight years old and has no name. It started when he was fourteen. He is now twenty-two. It is taking away his ability to walk and to reason. It is getting worse, some years more rapidly than others." These words begin the first section of Blue Peninsula, a narrative of a son's degenerative illness in thirty-three parts focused around poems that have provided companionship and sustenance to the author. When multiple diagnostic avenues delivered no explanation for the worsening disabilities of her older son, Ike, Madge McKeithen "became a poetry addict--collecting, consuming, ripping poems out of magazines, buying slender volumes that would fit in my pocket or pocketbook, stashing them in loose-leaf notebooks, on shelves, stacking them on the floor. In the midst of all this grief, I had fallen in love. With words. Poems, especially. And just in time." McKeithen draws on a wonderfully wide ranging group of poets and lyricists--including Emily Dickinson, the Rolling Stones, Paul Celan, Bruce Springsteen, Marie Howe, Walt Whitman, and many others--to illuminate, comfort, and help to express her sorrow. Some chapters are reflections on friendships and family relationships in the context of a chronic and worsening illness. Some consider making peace with what life has dealt, and others value intentionally reworking it.

Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father by Richard Medugno Gallaudet University Press Available in HPL: no When Richard Medugno and his wife Brenda learned in 1993 that their 17-month-old daughter Miranda was deaf, they grieved, as many hearing parents do. Soon, however, Medugno seized hold of the need to take positive action for Miranda. Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father recounts the remarkable story of their journey during the past fourteen years. Medugno first researched the best communication mode for Miranda. Quickly dismissing the speech pathology model, he and his wife chose ASL alone as the best, natural language for Miranda. He surrounded his daughter with opportunities to learn ASL, by arranging to meet deaf individuals and families, and also by hiring deaf babysitters. He also determined to learn ASL himself, to ensure communication with his daughter. As Miranda neared school age, Medugno spearheaded a transcontinental search for exactly the right school for her education. So that Miranda could attend the California School for the Deaf (CSD), the Medugno family moved from Toronto, Canada to Fremont, CA.

In Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father, Medugno shares practical information on many of the common challenges faced by hearing parents. He provides a list of games that hearing and deaf children can play together, an important consideration for many families. His enthusiasm for all possibilities, from exploring the potential of video phones to helping stage CSD musicals, reveals his abiding devotion to Miranda. Such a foundation has enabled her to feel proud, confident, and happy in her pursuits. At the same time, Medugno recognizes that the rewards of having a deaf daughter are far greater than he could have hoped for or imagined. Thicker Than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities by Don Meyer Woodbine House Available in HPL: no Bound by blood, but not always by love, a sibling can be your friend or rival, defender or detractor--sometimes simultaneously! But what's the impact on that bond when one sibling has a disability? In this thought-provoking essay collection, thirty-nine adult siblings reflect on how their lives have been indelibly shaped by their relationship with a brother or sister with special needs. Edited by Don Meyer, creator of Sibshops and an expert on sibling issues, Thicker Than Water reveals both positive and negative aspects of growing up with someone who might have received the lion s share of his parents attention or who now requires extra support as an adult. These compelling essays express a diverse range of sibling experiences and attitudes. Contributors range in age from 20 to 70 and have siblings whose disabilities include Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, seizures, visual impairment, fragile-X syndrome, intellectual disability, or mental illness. Several essays demonstrate how experiences vary based on a writer s age and generation. Many older contributors grew up when disabilities were stigmatized; younger contributors can attest to changing attitudes and greater acceptance of people with differences. Some contributors have chosen to work in a disability field or service profession and credit their siblings for influencing their career choices; others have pursued dreams far removed from a disability field. This absorbing collection offers other siblings the catharsis of discovery and shared experiences. Thicker Than Water provides fascinating reading for siblings, parents, caregivers, and anyone who shares a long-term relationship with a person with special needs or wonders what that experience may be like. Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs by Donald Joseph Meyer Woodbine House Available in HPL: no In Views From Our Shoes, 45 siblings share their experiences as the brother or sister of someone with a disability. The children whose essays are featured here range from four to eighteen and are the siblings of youngsters with a variety of special needs, including autism,

cerebral palsy, developmental delays, ADD, hydrocephalus, visual and hearing impairments, Down and Tourette syndromes. Their personal tales introduce young siblings to others like them, perhaps for the first time, and allow them to compare experiences. A glossary of disabilities provides easy-to-understand definitions of many of the conditions mentioned. Life is a Gift: And Other Lessons I'm Learning From My Daughters-A True Story by Jenny Miller Ridgeway Publishing Available in HPL: no Jenny counted her newborn's fingers and toes, amazed anew at God's tremendous gift of life-but the gift did not turn out as she hoped. Her precious baby girl, the fulfillment of her childhood dreams, had serious medical problems. As her dreams crumbled around her, Jenny wrestled with the God of her youth-a God she knew only as secure, faithful, and loving. Now her prayers rang hollow, and God seemed unpredictable, confusing, and distant. Didn't He see tears? In this tender and deeply personal story of dashed hopes and broken dreams, Jenny shares in vivid detail her struggle to accept the journey God chose for her journey of faith through which she reluctantly embraced the lessons God had set before her. Through brokenness, she gained peace, comfort, even joy and a far deeper understanding that life-all life-is a gift from God. A Different Kind Of Boy: A Father’s Memoir on Raising a Gifted Child with Autism by Daniel Mont Jessica Kingsley Pub Available in HPL: no A little nine-year-old boy looks down at the gymnasium floor. The room is filled with children who like and respect him, but he has no real friends. He can barely name anyone in his class, and has trouble with the simplest things - recognizing people, pretending, and knowing when people are happy or angry or sad. Much of his life has been filled with anxiety. He is out of step with the world, which to him is mostly a whirlwind that must be actively decoded and put into order. And yet he was only one of seven fourth graders in the United States to ace the National Math Olympiad. In fifth grade he finished second in a national math talent search. That boy is autistic. He is also loving, brilliant and resilient. In this book, his father writes about the joys, fears, frustration, exhilaration, and exhaustion involved in raising his son. He writes about the impact on his family, the travails of navigating the educational system, and the lessons he has learned about life, what it means to connect with other people, and how one builds a life that suits oneself. And, oh, yes, math. Lots about math. Don't Tell Me I Can't by Deborah Betts Morehead Port City Press Available in HPL: no The subject of this biography, Kathleen de Silva, suffered a broken neck in a high school gymnasium accident in 1968. Her prognosis was two to three years to live, but she finished

high school, graduated from Rice University and law school and went to work for The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston, retiring as TIRR legal counsel in 2004. She has survived longer than anyone else with a high C1-C2 spinal cord injury. Taylor's Way: A Father’s Very Special Relationship with His Son by Christopher Myers PublishAmerica Available in HPL: no Taylor's Way: A Father's Very Special Relationship with His Son is an intriguing portrayal of how one father has struggled to manage his own very busy life with that of his wife, their three typical children and his special needs son, Taylor. Mr. Myers provides very candid, personal stories of raising a child with special needs through a personal chronology of events, activities and stories that might make you stand up and cheer, pause to reflect and maybe cry a little. He also presents some helpful hints and recommendations on where a parent might go for information or resources and how to cope and succeed in our very fast-moving and ever-changing world. If you are a parent with a special needs child or adult, or if you are interested in a very touching and moving story, you must read Taylor's Way. Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey Into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome by Valerie Paradiz Free Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) This provocative and pioneering book is both a refreshing exploration of the history of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and a powerful story of the author's own struggle with her son Elijah's Asperger's Syndrome. From her first inklings of Elijah's difference to her discovery of a whole spectrum of another way of life that includes everything from civil rights organizations for autistics to Asperger artists, Valerie Paradi describes how she decided to cross what she calls ?cultural boundaries to overcome her fears about her son's condition. Her inspiring narrative offers compelling insights into daily life with Elijah's Asperger's syndrome and her own shadow syndrome, which affects many family members of autistics. It is also a celebration of the idiosyncratic beauty of the Asperger mind and the sense of mutual support and self-respect in the ASD community. Exiting Nirvana: A Daughter’s Life with Autism by Clara Park Back Bay Books Available in HPL: no “Exiting Nirvana" is a strong and affecting profile of an artist with autism, beautifully written by her mother. . . . Skillfully weaving in theories of autism with the experience of raising an autistic child, Park goes beyond individual history to address the wider question of what it means to be human.

Scapegoat: Why We Are Failing Disabled People by Katharine Quarmby Granta Books Available in HPL: no Every few months there's a shocking news story about the sustained, and often fatal, abuse of a disabled person. It's easy to write off such cases as bullying that got out of hand, terrible criminal anomalies or regrettable failures of the care system, but in fact they point to a more uncomfortable and fundamental truth about how our society treats its most unequal citizens. In Scapegoat, Katharine Quarmby looks behind the headlines to trace the history of disability and our discomfort with disabled people, from Greek and Roman culture through the Industrial Revolution and the origins of Britain's asylum system to the eugenics movement and the Holocaust, the introduction of Ugly Laws in the US and the unintended consequences of Britain's poorly planned community care initiative. Quarmby also charts the modern disability rights movement from the veterans of WW2 and Vietnam in the US and UK to those who have fought for independent living and the end of segregation, as well as equal rights, for the last twenty years. Combining fascinating examples from history with tenacious investigation and powerful first person interviews, Scapegoat will change the way we think about disability - and about the changes we must make as a society to ensure that disabled people are seen as equal citizens, worthy of respect, not targets for taunting, torture and attack. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison Three Rivers Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Ever since he was young, John Robison longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother, Augusten Burroughs, in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” It was not until he was forty that he was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way he saw himself—and the world. A born storyteller, Robison has written a moving, darkly funny memoir about a life that has taken him from developing exploding guitars for KISS to building a family of his own. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien yet always deeply human.

Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption by Ralph James Savarese Other Press Available in HPL: yes (Click here) "Why would someone adopt a badly abused, nonspeaking, six-year-old from foster care?" So the author was asked at the outset of his adoption-as-a-first-resort adventure. Part love story, part political manifesto about "living with conviction in a cynical time," the memoir traces the development of DJ, a boy written off as profoundly retarded and now, six years later, earning all "A's" at a regular school. Neither a typical saga of autism nor simply a challenge to expert opinion, Reasonable People illuminates the belated emergence of a self in language. And it does so using DJ's own words, expressed through the once discredited

but now resurgent technique of facilitated communication. In this emotional page-turner, DJ reconnects with the sister from whom he was separated, begins to type independently, and explores his experience of disability, poverty, abandonment, and sexual abuse. "Try to remember my life," he says on his talking computer, and remember he does in the most extraordinarily perceptive and lyrical way. Asking difficult questions about the nature of family, the demise of social obligation, and the meaning of neurological difference, Savarese argues for a reasonable commitment to human possibility and caring. Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother about Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Each Day to the Fullest by Ellen Schwartz Key Porter Books Available in HPL: no Giving birth to Jacob was supposed to be the happiest moment in Ellen's life, but for her and her husband Jeff, the joyful moment turned into their worst nightmare when they learned Jacob had Canavan Disease: a devastating cerebral degenerative disease of infancy. Jacob would never see, speak, walk, or sit up. There ie no treatment or cure. He would die. Maybe in six months. Maybe in two years. No one knew. In some ways, the worst was yet to come, for not only was Jacob born with a death sentence, but his disease would require as many as eight serious operations within his first year. The unbearable helplessness of a parent forced to endure with impotence the endless agony of a son in constant pain. He required constant, round-the-clock supervision. The strain and stress on the family was unbelievable. And yet, as Ellen painstakingly chronicles in this raw but unforgettable memoir of a mother and her son, "Despite all his disabilities, Jacob loves life more than anyone I have ever met. He shows me how to live each day to the fullest." The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon Scribner Available in HPL: yes (Click here) The Noonday Demon examines depression in personal, cultural, and scientific terms. Drawing on his own struggles with the illness and interviews with fellow sufferers, doctors and scientists, policy makers and politicians, drug designers and philosophers, Andrew Solomon reveals the subtle complexities and sheer agony of the disease. He confronts the challenge of defining the illness and describes the vast range of available medications, the efficacy of alternative treatments, and the impact the malady has on various demographic populations -- around the world and throughout history. He also explores the thorny patch of moral and ethical questions posed by emerging biological explanations for mental illness. With uncommon humanity, candor, wit, and erudition, award-winning author Solomon takes readers on a journey of incom-parable range and resonance into the most pervasive of family secrets. His contribution to our understanding not only of mental illness but also of the human condition is truly stunning.

The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening The Heart And Mind Of A Child Threatened With Autism by Patricia Stacey Da Capo Press Available in HPL: no This enthralling memoir is the day-by-day story of how one little boy was saved from a path leading to autistic isolation. It is also a first-hand account of the new model of research and treatment pioneered by Stanley Greenspan, M.D. that makes this recovery possible for others. Walker, whom pediatricians worried would never walk, talk, or perhaps even hear or see, was lucky enough to be born to a family who would not accept defeat. Pat Stacey reveals the darkest fears, struggles, exhaustion, tiny victories, and eventual joys her family faced as they gradually brought Walker into full contact with the world. Dinah's Story by Loretta Stafford Xulon Press Available in HPL: no Dinah’s Story documents the life journey of a baby born with Prader Willi Syndrome, a birth defect not yet identified at the time of her birth. While Dinah’s Story focuses on the unique – sometimes bizarre – characteristics of PWS, it would benefit any parent, extended family member, or educator who lives with and loves a child or adult with special needs. The combination of faith, works, and the love that drives them creates a special environment where miracles happen. Dinah’s Story is one of family and faith, hope and despair, tragedies and triumphs. What I've Learned From My Daughter: Blessings from a Special Needs Child by Nancy Jo Sullivan Liguori Publications Available in HPL: no Sometimes God's greatest gifts are unrecognized. Such was the case with Nancy Jo Sullivan, an expecting mother who received the unexpected: a Down syndrome child. Open to God's plan, and filled with love for her child, Nancy Jo came to realize that her daughter Sarah was a sacred surprise disguised as a handicapped baby. Journey to Crazy And Beyond by Wendy Wagner Authorhouse Available in HPL: no Baby Goldie looks as normal as you and I, yet concealed behind those bright blue eyes is a brain with a hole in it. Four major surgeries in the first years of her life, and not expected to live, Goldies life begins with angels, answers to prayers, and miracles. Later, hair-raising nightmares occur. Goldie becomes a teenager, and she is convinced by another teen that her parents are trying to kill her! Goldie goes bonkers. During these

years the family is on an emotional roller coaster trying to get the proper care and help for their daughter. The parents face major challenges within their family that would cause most adults to run away. Based on a true story, Journey to Crazy and Beyond, captures the life drama of the Weston family. The reader will laugh and cry as they journey with the family through the storms of life. Reading David: A Mother and Son's Journey Through the Labyrinth of Dyslexia by Lissa Weinstein Perigee Trade Available in HPL: no Lissa Weinstein made a career of helping others understand the nature of learning disabilities, but when her own son was diagnosed with dyslexia, she found herself just as frustrated and confused as the parents she counseled. In their own words, Lissa and David Weinstein express the confusion, fear, faith and love they found on a journey that taught David to read, and brought mother and son closer than they had ever been. Weather Reports from The Autism Front: A Father’s Memoir of His Autistic Son by James C. Wilson McFarland Available in HPL: no Based on detailed research and a lifetime of personal experience, James Wilson recounts his personal journey as the primary companion of his now twenty-six-year-old autistic son, Sam. This realistic, irreverent account of an autistic young man and his misadventures while transitioning to adulthood provides enlightening truths as well as sardonic humor. Formally seen as a neurological disorder, autism is increasingly being looked upon as simply a form of neurodiversity. Rejecting mainstream attitudes, Wilson explores this modern view of autism through his own experience as well as quotes from autistic people and bloggers, some of whom are the most vocal proponents of this viewpoint. A detailed bibliography accompanies this engaging memoir of a father and son's experience negotiating the slippery slopes of normality. Blue Sky July: A Mother’s Story of Hope and Healing by Nia Wyn Dutton Adult Available in HPL: yes (Click here) Set between the summers of 1998 and 2005 in Cardiff, Wales, Blue Sky July follows the story of Nia Wyn, a mother who battles against impossible odds to heal her son after he suffers a brain injury and is diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. Told by doctors that her son would never walk, talk, see or even recognize her, Wyn devotes her every waking moment to exploring alternative treatments in the hopes of achieving even the smallest of breakthroughs. Through her intimate day-to-day interactions with her son and partner, Wyn explores the impact of the tragedy on her thoughts and feelings as this most extraordinary

relationship unfolds into one of the most uplifting and poignant memoirs published this or any year. Already a sensation in the UK, Blue Sky July will strike a chord with every reader in search of a memoir resonating with an extraordinary sense of honesty, courage, and faith in the unassailable bond between mother and child. This is an inspirational story through and through. Grief Dancers: A Journey Into the Depths of the Soul by Susan Zimmermann Nemo Press Available in HPL: no Susan Zimmermann experienced a devastating loss when her first child, Katherine, developed a neurological disorder that left her unable to walk or talk. Faced with her daughter’s disability, Susan struggled with fear, denial, guilt, bitterness, and despair. She began to resurface and heal only through writing. The powerful process of working through conflicting emotions with paper and pen enabled her to transform her sadness into acceptance and even joy. Writing to Heal the Soul is her gift to others who are suffering any kind of grief or loss, whether the death, disability, or injury of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. Lyrically illustrated with examples from life, the book offers simple yet inspiring writing exercises to help you focus and resolve your pain as you transform your loss into words of hope and healing. Keeping Katherine: A Mother’s Journey to Acceptance by Susan Zimmerman Harmony Available in HPL: no Katherine was a beautiful, perfect baby for the first year of her life. Then, without warning, she changed forever. She started crossing her eyes. She cried at night for hours at a time and could not be soothed. She stopped saying words, stopped crawling, and began what would become a lifelong habit of wringing her hands. Hospital visits and consultations with doctors offered no answers to the mystery. Soon Katherine slipped away to a place her mother and father could never reach. In Keeping Katherine, Susan Zimmermann tells the story of her life with her daughter Katherine, who has Rett syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder. Writing with honesty and candor, Zimmermann chronicles her personal journey to accept the changed dynamic of her family; the strain of caring for a special needs child and the pressure it placed on her marriage, career, and relationship with her parents; the dilemma of whether Kat would be better cared for in a group home; and most important, the altered reality of her daughter’s future. A story of personal transformation that reminds us that it isn’t what happens to us that shapes our humanity, but how we react, Keeping Katherine shows the unconditional love that exists in families and the gifts the profoundly disabled can offer to those who try to understand them.