5 comments about Spelling Love with an X: A Mother, a Son, and the Gene That Binds Them.

1. While informing us about Fragile X Syndrome, Clare Dunsford reminds us in a distinctive voice that much more than genes binds us. Her well-told tale captures the complexity of competing realities running through most of our lives -- identity, vocation, family, faith, parenthood (and the profound difference between motherhood and fatherhood), friendship, support, loneliness and love. So we laugh, cry and rejoice with her as she recounts the frustrations and surprises of her childhood, romances, career and parenting experiences. Her references to classic literature make manifest the mystery encountered in human differences no matter the time or culture, a mystery best understood in the binding of body and spirit despite the fragility of either. "Spelling Love With an X" is a classic love story. Dunsford's X is her and her family's cross (a cross that marks others' lives in other ways) and is only made bearable in anyone's life by Love which is more Divine than human. Her story offers hope to all of us who want to live and love well.



2. As a parent of a son with Fragile X who is a couple of years younger than Ms. Dunsford's son, J.P., we've experienced the despair as well as the joy she writes of. Her story is beautifully written and shines with the love we have and hope we need for the future for our adult children. She is able to describe the charming, witty character of her son in a way that rings true for parents of children with Fragile X. It's her own story as well. Life as a carrier of Fragile X has its own challenges - ones you might believe are your own character faults - until you find out, at whatever age, that you are a carrier and that the personal battles you've fought for so long are the result of a genetic defect you were born with. The science is helpful. The research is hopeful. Parents, family, carriers, friends should read this book to get a good look at life with Fragile X.



3. This book is still with me. Those are the best kinds of books, I think, the ones that you remember well after reading them. I think it's because "Spelling Love With An X" resonates beyond its specific circumstances. It's not just about Clare Dunsford and her son, but in some way every parent and child. Or, really, every relationship. As Dunsford wonders aloud at one point in the book, since her family carries the gene, is it possible this or that relatives slight eccentricity is really just an extremely mild manifestation of Fragile X. In other words, most brain disorders are merely exaggerations of characteristics we all understand to some degree. We are all on a spectrum of varying consciousness and need. As a result, Dunsford's exploration of the extreme challenges she faces with her son are more than just a faceless "case study." They do what literature should do at its best. They make her and her son's situation universal.



4. Clare Dunsford's book is an unusual blend of personal memoir and scientifically researched information drawn from a mother's poignant journey raising a child with Fragile X. Dunsford's book blends poetic elegance with important up to date information about her son's genetic condition, a useful read for anyone living or working with children or adults with any developmental disorder. As a special educator who is also an avid reader I was fascinated. Further, I learned of the relationship that this disorder may have to autism which has touched my extended family and of the hope that the future of medical research holds for all those affected by developmental conditions. Ms Dunsford tells her story with strong emotion and wonderfully crafted writing but does not stray from her goal of sharing the knowledge base she has been accumulating over the 21 years of her charming and interesting son's life.



5. Clare Dunsford's book is a moving, beautifully written story about her and her son JP's journey with Fragile X, the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. Dunsford defly weaves science, poetry, and wit through her personal story. This book will resonate with anyone who has a child touched by Fragile X, autism or any other cognitive or genetic disorder. But this book's reach goes far beyond the world of Fragile X. Anyone who loves memoir or who is interested in exploring the depths of a mother's love, a family's interconnectedness, and the human soul will discover they can't put this book down.

5 comments about Exiting Nirvana: A Daughter's Life with Autism.

1. Exiting Nirvana" is a mother's account of her autistic daughter, Jessy, and Jessy's life from her teens until the time the book was was published, when Jessy was in her early 40s. I found that the way the chapters of the book were presented was a little bit odd. Instead of starting with Jessy's teens and moving forward, showing her progress that way, the author divides the chapters into aspects of Jessy's behavior and life: i.e., the way Jessy talks and the ways she thinks. I found that some of the chapters seemed to be haphazardly written. Ideas didn't seem to flow easily from one paragraph to the next and were hard to follow. The author spent a lot of time discussing Jessy's obsession with numbers and this portion was especially confusing. I wasn't sure exactly what point the author was trying to get across...other than the fact that Jessy was obsessed with numbers and tended to look at the world that way. Later chapters, however, were quite well written, and I think the author had easier time discussing Jessy's life when Jessy herself was easier for the author to understand.

   In many ways I thought the book was too short. I wanted to know more about Jessy, particularly about how she interacted with her father and her siblings, which the author barely touches on. We know that Jessy has siblings, but how Jessy fit in with them and interacted with them is rarely mentioned. There is a brief mention of Jessy moving the family cat's water dish, but that was the only clue that the family had any pets, so I was also left wondering how Jessy interacted with the family's pets.

   However, I do think that "Exiting Nirvana" is helpful in understanding the way an autistic mind works, and is an interesting read for that alone.




2. Existing Nirvana: a daughter's life with autism, by Clara Claiborne Park, is a book about Jessy, the author's daughter, growing up with autism. Although it would seem to be hard growing up with autism, rather than focusing on the negative, Park shares the story of her daughter focusing on her differences from `normal' people in society and stressing the remarkable progress Jessy has made despite her abnormalities. This progress has allowed her to mentally and socially move more and more from her own world, `Nirvana', into the world in which everyone else operates. By giving an account of Jessy's life, the reader becomes more aware of the disability and its characteristics. The book focuses on they way individuals with autism think and even their speech. The speech portion of the story is more focused on Jessy specifically because her speech was worse than most individuals with autism. Park uses journals and pictures Jessy has drawn to looking deeper into her speech, thought process, portraits, and her current living. Through these different aspects, the reader becomes enlightened on the type of characteristics that define autism.
   One of the many strengths of Exiting Nirvana is that readers receive an accurate account of autism by the specific analysis of the way individuals with this disability think and respond to situations. In addition to this, it shows the possible personal growth from childhood to adulthood of someone with autism. One of the weaknesses is that Park does not focus on Jessy's negative qualities. Although they are not totally ignored, the book idealizes autism by continually expressing Jessy's happiness. "She is still happy. I can't think of another woman in her forties who is more content with who she is, less likely to question how she lives or what she does" (Park, 9). The struggle of having a child who is autistic is not emphasized to the extent that it probably exists. This is partially because Jessy has showed so much improvement as she has grown up. Besides the idealism of the parenting necessary with autistic children, Exiting Nirvana is a great book to learn more about autism and the impossible improvements by looking at an actual person's life.



3. Clara Claiborne Park describes her daughter Jessy, an autistic woman in her 40's and discusses how her daughter has changed in the years since she wrote The Siege: A Family's Journey into the World of an Autistic Child, which ended when Jessy was 8. The book is an eloquent argument for the education of autistic children, and a detailed glimpse into the family life of an autistic person. Park describes different aspects of their life in a matter-of-fact manner-- no whining or victimhood here. Her love of Jessy is obvious, and there is no complaining, but it becomes obvious through the descriptions of Jessy's behavior and personality that their life has been difficult. It's also obvious how well Jessy has been cared for and loved. It's refreshing to read this book because the Park family just seems so, so good, and that's unusual to come across these days.Parks is a great writer-- the book is intelligent and readable. I'd recommend this book for any family with an autistic child, and for anyone who is just interested in thinking about how love, personality, and intelligence relate



4. This is a wonderful sequel to her earlier book, The Siege. I enjoyed being able to follow her daughter's life and see how it all turned out. Clara Park writes about her daughter with so much love and insight into all the positives and negatives of raising a challenged child/woman. Yet she so clearly admits there is so much they will never understand. I would have liked to have seen more written about how the rest of the family interacts with Jessy - the focus is somewhat narrow. Recommended for any parent or person that works with others with any type of disability. This book will heighten your sensitivity!



5. I read an excerpt of this book in Harper's magazine before I found the book itself and was mesmerized by the account of living with an autistic child - written by of the parent of one. It is clear that Clara Claiborne Park, the mother of Jessy Park, has also tried to understand her daughter's perceptions of the world, at least as much as any non-autistic person can, and to reveal that world to "outsiders" (those with no first-hand experience being with an autistic person). She has done an admirable job. I've read quite a bit about autism and autistic children and this book ranks among the best. In addition to her own feelings, Jessy's mother uses Jessy's own quotations and poems to try and help others understand her daughter's world. Like another relatively well-knonw autistic, Temple Grandin, Jessy is a "high-functioning" autistic. She can hold down a job, she has had art exhibitions of her drawings and she attended school for many years. Still, her world is far from what most of us would call normal and her social interactions with people outside her family are still rather limited. She has trouble with unexpected changes in her usual routine and she has never fallen in love, at least not with another person. She sees the world in minute detail in some areas, creating drawings that are extemely precise and accurate, and yet fails to grasp the subtle nuances of social give and take, the emotional vocabulary so many of us take for granted. What I found particularly fascinating about this book was the way it changed my perspective about what normalcy is. If you read this book, would strongly recommend getting a look at Jessy's drawings wometime, whether at an exhibition or however else you may find them (perhaps searching down that back issue of Harpers; wish I remembered the issue off the top of my head). Her drawings of routine objects, particularly houses, are striking for their attention to detail and a shimmering vibrant sense of color that goes beyond simple copying of what is in front of her eyes. I wish I could see the world as she does for just one day, not because it would be better than the way I see the world now, not because I have any romantic illusions that the autistic leads a charmed life (no one reading this book could feel that way) but because I would like to know what that world was like, in all its beauty, pain and alienation.

5 comments about Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones.

1. This book was so great! I cried, laughed, and was so deeply moved I was loathe to close the book. Great!



2. The book was in excellent shape and was received within 2 days! The book is wonderful by the way, a warm read.



3. Jeanne McDermott paints an inspiring portrait of her own family, forced to understand and live with the trials and hardships that accompany a child born with Apert Syndrome. She tells the story of Nathaniel with grace and candor informing the reader along the way with insights into the medical, genetic and developmental aspects of this condition. I cried with her pain and embraced her joys through the trials and triumphs of this journey. For anyone who has had a child born with a medical condition this is a must read.



4. I love this book. My 2 1/2 year old son went through four surgeries in his life time and I can so relate to the recall of ICU's and operating rooms. My son also has a form of dwarfism and will be different. I love her philosophy, so much peace and forgiveness to stranger's rudeness! She has so eloguently speak of the growth that any parent of child with differences have experienced. Babyface will be kept close to my heart forever and I recommend this book to all parents who are struggling with the challenge of bring up a child with a difference. In time, you too will gather the strength and peace demonstrated so well and articulated by Ms. McDermott.



5. This book is not just for parents of children with special needs. The lessons learned by the author and her family and the details of their struggle are beautifully written. Reading this book nudges the reader to think about the blessings of children and the trials of daily life in a new way. A wonderful, inspiring book!

1 comments about Asperger Syndrome And Employment: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome (Adults Speak Out about Asperger Syndrome).

1. Retrospectively, adults with Asperger Syndrome have been through harder times than I would expect in the United Kingdom. I must say the adult Aspies in this book are a lot happier than before they were diagnosed, because they have found how to cope with both their pros and cons in order to get employed. I can see many of them have felt different and/or distant from other people not only at school but at work, which often causes frequent job changes, alienation, and other negative effects. Actually, I still have the same experiences and am between jobs right now.
   According to Professor Tony Attwood, one of the most famous specialists on AS, only 10% of adults with AS are diagnosed in Australia! How devastating! After all, Aspies need more support and understanding from other people. Recently more people have come to know developmental disabilities. But we must accept the fact that it will still take time to improve the situation to help developmentally challenged people.

5 comments about El Niño Sin Nombre: La lucha de un niño por sobrevivir.

1. As a Psychotherapist and campaigner for the rights of children I would recommend this book as a compulsory text for any course on child care, therapy or education.
   It is gripping, moving,shocking and eye-opening. It is particularly relevant to understand the capacity of disturbed parents to hide and disguise their cruelty and the mind confusing, emotionally scarring dilemmas faced by the abused child.
   And yet it is hopeful and heart warming.



2. I am a special education teacher at a residential treatment facility that works with children in similar situations. As an end of the year project, I read this story to my 16-18 year old high school girls. They wouldn't let me put it down. The emotions, empathy, and similar situations my girls experienced were finally put into words. David, to them, is a survivor and has given them hope for their own future! Thank you Mr. Pelzer for sharing your story and helping my girls know that they are not the only ones!



3. The story a child called "it" it shows us the life of a boy longing to be loved. he is abused by his alcoholic mother. his father is torn between the two but chooses not to tell anyone. all his younger syblings are treated with love and care. he is trying to survive in his mothers 'hell'. i recommend this book to teens and young adults it will open your eyes to smoething you might have been blinded by but yet still happens in the world today... Abuse. some people just dont have the courage to stand up for what they know and believe is right. but just think about it you would be saving and inoccent life and giving a chance that wouldnt have been givin.



4. This book was about a boy named David who went through a rough time when he was younger. He would get abused by his mother and his dad was an alcholic. The boy had no right and no say in that house hold his younger brothers had more say then he did. he would get tortured everyday and his mother would make him stay and live in the basement with nothing. Later in the book he finally gets rescued and is put into a shelter home. His life isnt how it use to be anymore.



5. As I read this, parts of the text were unbearable. Yet, Dave's story is an unfortunate reality of the deviance that exists within the human psyche to control, manipulate and abuse another. Anyone involved with educating children in whatever form they chose should read this because the truth brings to light what is hidden in the darkness. Dave is definitely an overcomer and his book will challenge you to look at the little boys and girls we see each day...a bit more carefully and mercifully.

3 comments about Look up for Yes.

1. I thought that the book was exelent and that Julia could have talked more about her family and more about Goldwater. Overall she did a fantastic job at writing this book.



2. A nurse recommended the book to my sister. She said it changed the way she treats patients. My sister read it in one afternoon. It makes you think and reminds you to count your blessings!



3. Those who weap because they have no shoes should meet this woman who has no feet, no hands, no voice, no normalcy. And yet she greets the day with poetry and refuses -- against odds few people could bear -- to loosen her grip on reality, on the future, on hope. Where some autobiographical writers might seek our pity, Julia demands our respect. Where some labor to generate tears, Julia aims to generate cheers -- and at times outbursts of profanity. Her story is a fast, easy-to-follow read packed with flashbacks, present-day tales and, the most essential element of all, hope

5 comments about Stranger In The Mirror: A True Story of Stroke Survival and Transformation written with Insight, Compassion and Humor for Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families.

1. This wonderful book tells families what they need to know about dealing with loved ones who had suffered from a stroke and how they can help with their recovery. Because the author is a stroke survior, he provides wonderful insight on what it is like to be a stroke victim. His experiences have helped me better understand what my grandma was experiencing when she suffered from a stroke. This book brings hope to families and survivors of stroke. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.



2. Allow me to open by saying that I am biased. I am biased because I still remember the morning that I got a call from Mike telling me that he was in the hospital after having suffered his stroke. This call took place several weeks after the event, not immediately after. His voice weak, his words slurred, and most of the things that he said had to be repeated at least one time. To say that I felt heartbroken for him is certainly an understatement. It was awkward for me to hear him in that condition, and I imagined that it was awkward for him to find himself in that state as well.
   Then something happened; something I will never forget. He called one day and, sounding quite a bit better though not yet back to his former self, said that he had been encouraged to write a book about his experience. He envisioned a book that would help EVERY survivor, EVERY caretaker of the survivor, and EVERY family member of the survivor. Now there were undoubtably scores of books out there for the healthcare professional treating brain injured people, but were there many, if any, books out there that acted as a guide for the laymen, the average Joe? I didn't know, and I don't know if he did either. So, he gave it a shot.
   The result has been more than I could have hoped for. I had envisioned a book that was simply an A to Z listing of "helpful" advice, but his vision had been greater. Had he listened to me I suppose we would have been stuck with what would have been little more than a list of dos and do nots. What he has created is not a list. He has created a journey, based on real experiences, that actually engages the reader and enables a level of understanding that I never thought I would attain with regard to a subject about which I had formerly known nothing.
   It is a story; a real life story. There are parts that I personally find awkward because they take me back to the day of that first phone call, but to others, those same parts put the reader in the mind of the stroke survivor. That's uncommon to find and, for the survivor and their friends and family, very useful information.
   He has done a fantastic job with this effort. He set out to create something that would help countless others and give them a head start on their road to recovery, while at the same time providing their friends and family an insight into what their loved one is truly experiencing. He has done all of that. He has done that in a big way.



3. I read this book on a suggestion of a friend,It gave to me a gift of Hope,humility and humor.Michael has shown that when something this bad happens;if one does not give up, chances of comming out the other side intact and a stronger person for it are much better. I GIVE THIS BOOK TWO THUMS UP!



4. A friend recommended the book `Stranger in the Mirror' by Michael E Little to me. I am very glad and thankful to my friend. The book is absolutely brilliant. This is a gripping story of the author himself, of how he survived a massive stroke and brain hemorrhage with his sanity and sense of humor intact. The subject matter of the book relates to a `real life' occurrence, which both sounds and is some-what depressing. However this marvelous book is wonderful, is full of solutions and definitely not depressing. This little wonder was an absolute treat to read. After going through the first few pages, I could not put it down! The book is all about adjusting to the real time challenges of this new situation and life. It displays renewed hope, strength and character of a young man and I found no trace of self pity and remorse. In fact, the author seems determined to give his readers hope for their own future. This little gem is busting with humor and wisdom, unlike anything in my experience.
   
   This book is so dead honest that parts of it made me squirm with embarrassment at the author's predicament and how to handle it. Delicious! This book surprised me and made me laugh out loud at times. The author's humor is sometimes obvious and sometimes subtle, but through this terrible experience he manages to keep his prospective and find humor in his life-shattering tragedy. I suspect his prospective is a product of his combat experience in Viet Nam, strength of character and his will to survive and make the most of `life's challenges. I can only hope I show the same grace and élan if tragedy ever befalls me.
   
   Stranger in the Mirror surprised, delighted and inspired me! I absolutely loved it and recommend it to everyone, whether or not they are handicapped. I especially recommend for inclusion in public libraries and to friends and caregivers of family of stoke victims.



5. This is a good book for stroke survivors and family but I must say that I opposed the religious content. My review consists of the letter that I mailed to Mike. Mike welcomed this letter to be used in the Amazon Review. Except for the religious content, I enjoyed this book very much.
   
   Hello Mike,
   Yesterday I finished reading your book, Stranger in the Mirror. Although I don't read a great deal of books, I must say I enjoyed this book for the most part. I always enjoyed hearing you tell your stories. And you taught me a great deal about what it is like to be the recipient of a stroke.
   This year I lost my Mother and Dad. Both of them had experienced strokes in their lifetimes. My Dad had his about ten years ago. It wasn't nearly as severe as yours. It stopped him from playing golf and other sports. It frustrated him that he couldn't play. He worked at his goal to play again. He did, and he played for another eight years. My Mother had a much more severe stroke about three years ago. She was 90 at the time. My Mom and Dad lived together in the house I grew up in. They lived there since 1950. They were both in there 90s, Mom 90 and Dad 93. My Mother got up early in the morning to get breakfast for Dad. When my Dad woke up Mom was sitting on the side of his Bed. She couldn't move or do anything. That ended the time Mom and Dad lived at the old house where I grew up. My Mother made us all proud the way she, at 90 was determined to get better after her stroke. She had many of the therapies you talked about Mike. One time one of the nurses asked Mom if she wanted to skip some of her exercises and visit with the other people when they were having some kind of a activity, Mom said No, in her broken and hard to understand speech, would say, why would I want to take time form my exercised to sit around with old people that don't understand what they are doing. I want to get out of here and function again. She did just that. The nurses at the home and are family were amazed at her drive at 90 years of age. She moved into a real nice place with assisted living and lived there for about three more years before she died there.
   Your book gives great incite into some of the things my mother was going through. With out your explanation Mike I wouldn't have realized what my Mother must have been thinking. It was very hard for her to communicate verbally but she was sharp as a tack and had a sweet spirit and since of humor. My brother Jack had by far the most responsibly for the care of Mom and Dad. I will probably give him my copy of your book. I am sure he will appreciate it also. Mike you did a good job communicating what it is like experiencing a stroke and I also enjoyed your stories. Some of them I remember you telling me. I also admire your honesty talking about your self in embarrassing situations.
   As you recall in the first part of this letter, I said that I must say I enjoyed this book for the most part. The other part that I can't say in good conscience was helpful, was your experiences with your God. Mike I believe you are sincere and believe what you say in your book to be true to your understanding concerning your type of faith in God. You site several experiences that dramatically reinforce what you believe God expects from you. You say that you believe God healed you. I also believe that is possible. But if He did, you haven't given him credit for it yet because you haven't realized that Jesus Christ is God our Creator and Redeemer. I realize you feel very strong about this Mike but feelings can be very deceiving. Here is a bible verse concerning how feelings can be deceiving. This verse is form the Old Testament. Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
   Also Mike in Chapter 17 of your book on Wishful Thinking, I noticed when you are trying to help the reader with a good way to get results by using sample wishes effectively, I noticed that a great deal of the time you start out with I am or My, followed by other words that you want to express to help take control of specific situations in your own power or that the responsibility is yours. The point here is that you are looking to your self to accomplish your goal thinking that God is pleased with your efforts when He is only pleased when you acknowledge his instead by humbly coming to God trusting in His strength and transforming power giving Him honor and credit for what only He could do. It reminds me of other verses in the Bible that quote Lucifer and his desire to be in control also. He, for example, uses I will several times. You can read this in the Old Testament in Isaiah Chapter 14 verses 12 through 17. The comparison here is God resists these kinds of efforts and wants us to acknowledge Him and worship Him.
   One of the common threads I see in your book Mike, concerning your belief God, is the idea that God will overlook or forgive you of past sins if you do things to make up for them. This is the opposite of what Jesus Christ taught. He taught that we continue to have every sin we ever committed because we can't atone or pay for them. Only He can because He is God and He had no sin of his own. He loved us so much that He chose to redeem us. That is why He went to the cross. See John Chapter 3 Verse 16 in the New Testament
   Mike please considers these thoughts. Your friendship is appreciated. Keep on getting better. I was very interested in how your meeting mite be with Miss-Right. You asked me to buy the book and talk with you after that and give you a review on Amazon concerning your book. Do you still want me to give the review? Your book is very helpful for stroke victims and there families.
   Mike Jesus Christ is the one you have been seeking. I believe He wants me to tell you to come to Him for eternal life. You can read this from His Word. Please read from the New Testament, The Gospel of John Chapter 3 Verse 18
   Thanks for listening to what I had to say Mike. Keep in touch. I am proud to have you as my friend and will be looking forward to hearing from you. Frank

3 comments about Through the Wilderness of Alzheimer's: A Guide in Two Voices.

1. Beautifully written in the voices of both patient and caregiver, it offers welcome insight, support, and practical help for all those undertaking a similar journey through the wilderness of Alzheimer's.



2. This is an excellent book, not only for those dealing with care for alzeimer's, but anyone caring for loved ones that are aging, have dementia, or other limiting problems.



3. This is an excellent book, not only for those dealing with care for alzeimer's, but anyone caring for loved ones that are aging, have dementia, or other limiting problems.

5 comments about The Day Donny Herbert Woke Up: A True Story.

1. The very idea that someone could wake up from a Rip Van Winkle like coma is amazing enough, but that the family could converse with him was astounding. I was left wanting to know a little more about Donny's eventual death and the effect of the waking on his family, but I suppose that story is still waiting to unfold.
   Donny's story should make us think about the kind of care we render to minimally conscious and comatose patients.
   I preached about this story one Father's Day.



2. While this book doesn't have a typical "happy ending" it ends with closure for the family, and is a very interesting and fairly well written book with a lot of backround information about the families and the struggles this couple experienced. Very good!



3. I could not believe they would let their dog run after their car all the way out to a suburb and I could not read anymore after he apparently got confused and lost the scent.
   
   What kind of end did HE come to ?



4. As a firefighter this book hit close to home. Also, the fact that I am a member of a fire department who unfortunately shared a similar case in which a firefighter was comatose for 13 years made this book extremely interesting. If you, or someone you know is a firefighter, buy this book. It it an easy, quick read yet it makes a person realize just how fragile life is. It also brings back memories of fires I have fought where just such an accident could have happened to me or my fellow firefighters. If you happen to be Catholic, the story is even more interesting. I highly recommend it.



5. I was sadly disappointed that I thought the last part of the book was the best part. I knew what the book was about--by the cover and the fly leaf(s) but the story seemed to go along at a snails pace until I got toward the end of the book.
   
   I would be interested in seeing (or hearing) Donny speaking. I felt my heart ache for the author when I read about how Donny was--I don't want to give away anything in this review.. just to say I felt the most emotion for the author at the end of the book.

5 comments about The Best Seat in the House: How I Woke Up One Tuesday and Was Paralyzed for Life.

1. Having just recently been told I will have to be in a wheelchair to save what is left of my legs due to polio, I was really interested in what this book had to say. I had read a review in the New Mobility magazine and it got my curiosity aroused. I ended up getting it from our local library and read it in almost one sitting! It seemed to strike a "nerve" with me - I just turned 53, having had a very busy and enjoyable life - built my own house, was a scuba diver, kayaker, bicyclist, raised two active boys, etc - then, as polio caught up to me, I am finding that I need to use more and more "help" to just get through the day. That was a very disturbing and somewhat depressing thought, to me. But, if I was going to make what I had left last for many more years, I knew I had to do it. So, I am moving into a wheelchair, using hand controls on my van, using a crutch all the time, etc. It was a bummer, in my mind. Then, along comes Allen's book and my mind was turned upside down! I found a kindred spirit in Allen, and just loved his sense of humor, his somewhat acerbic wit, and his learning to look beyond the terrible things that his body had done to him and focus on the positive things. Yes, it is not always positive, and he made that very clear, but there are ways to look at just about everything that make it easier or funnier or reflective. I found myself cheering for him when he made those "steps" of discovery - dealing with his work, his house, his wife, his mother-in-law (I was crying laughing!), his kids, his bitterness, his anger. I bought this book because I know that I will read it again and I have recommended it to many of my walking friends, as well - we all have disabilities, in one way or another, and learning to live with them is a great lesson. Allen Rucker has done that and has described a way that worked for him and will work for many others -



2. A truly amazing book - very well written. Allen Rucker's account of overcoming adversity is a great story of courage, bravery and perseverance. A must read for everyone!



3. Allen Rucker's book is an entertaining read, a poignant portrait of a man who learns life's most important and hard-to-face lessons in a brand-new body in his 50s, and a spot-on social commentary about the way people with disabilities are treated in this culture. The most compelling and memorable aspect of this book is the way it reveals, through wit, at times scathing sarcasm, clear observation, and a healthy dose of compassion, the way a man navigates a new life in a new body. At turns poignant, revealing, terrifying, and hysterically funny, the book has no false notes and reminds disabled and non-disabled readers alike that we are given one body and we don't know what its future in this world will be, despite our most carefully crafted plans. The scenes and insights in this book will resonate when you read them and stay with you long after you've finished the book. Bravo!



4. Allen carries us through the deep interiors of emotional exhaustions, redemptions, and explorations of wrestling with a life-affirming, physical alteration. For this reason, the book and the man are close to my heart. He is clear with his words, direct in his perspective and his narrative. This story is an uncompromised one.
   
   Allen broadcasts his investigations of the more difficult and frustrating moments of his adult life. In the same breadth, he reveals the liberating ones, reminding us that our own personal narratives may not always progress linearly. Not everyone welcomes introspection with both repose and vigor. Allen does here, and in doing so, he proves that achievement is not necessarily charted with self-awareness, but with self-discovery.



5. This book doesn't belong with all the somber "coping with illness" type of books. Allen Rucker's experience of the indignity and struggle of working in Hollywood alone is worth reading. After you commiserate with the dilemma that befalls Allen, and recognize how easily it could happen to any of us, anytime - we could take a nap one Tuesday and "wake up paralyzed for life" - the part that sticks with you is gratitude for the profound wake-up call you have received. It was hard to run after reading this book without thinking of Allen. Anyone who doesn't fully appreciate their body, or sees only the imperfections, will find that invaluable.
   
   After the book came out, Allen Rucker spoke at a Writers Guild press conference on diversity, responding to a UCLA study showing the low employment of minorities in film and TV. He reminded them that the disabled are by far the largest minority in America - 56 million - yet are invisible both on TV and in the report. Allen's book is paving the way for those over 50 who are feeling increasingly invisible and are waking up to the fact that unexpected things will happen to our bodies as we age, not many of them good, and provides an inspired blueprint for dealing with it.