Chris Gabbard

“Just because a family member has a disability does not mean they should not be treated with love and compassion. This beautiful book describes a father’s journey from a British Enlightenment reader and devotee to a a person who is accepting and loving towards his son and the journey his son is teaching him despite his many disabilities. Even though his son cannot speak he still communicates with the author in noticeable but small ways that bring joy to his father and make their relationship closer. Richer. Deeper. Fulfilled. From my personal experience of having been mute in the past and having disabilities as well I admire and cheer on anyone who writes a family history on disabilities and their experiences of living with it. A fantastic work! It isn’t East being disabled and having vocal issues. But language is also through the body and facial expressions something much needed nowadays when words fail us sometimes. Look at your family member and read their body language, facial cues, and motions. They are telling you something. So listen and appreciate the beauty in the way they are communicating.”… (altro)

This was an extremely emotional, but also healing, read for me as someone who also just experienced the unexpected, traumatic birth of my son who suffered an HIE event and subsequent brain damage. I am currently going through many of the same emotions the author did, and while it was sometimes quite difficult, I truly appreciate that this book exists so more awareness can be spread about birth trauma and that we, as a society, can look more understandingly on those with disabilities. A huge thank you to the author for going through what was - I imagine - a challenging (but hopefully therapeutic) experience writing this book.… (altro)

It has taken me a while to review this book, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since I read it. The author writes about how his profoundly disabled son, August, changed his perspective on what kind of life is worth living. I still don’t think I would have been able to come to the kind of place the author found in terms of finding grace in being a parent to this child, but then again I’m not sure I could manage to deal with being a parent of a typical child, either. Certainly an interesting and thought-provoking read.… (altro)