5 comments about If I Get to Five: What Children Can Teach Us About Courage and Character.

1. I had to read this for a class. Thing is, I went in thinking it was too fluffy and idealistic. But for some reason I couldn't stop reading, and when I was half way through it I realized that I was actually being affected by the readings. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys inspirational stories, who are going through hard times with a medically fragile child, or who need to be reminded why they got into the health profession in the first place. He writes about many of his patients, the lessons each one taught him about life, how he deals with pain and loss, and explains medical jargon. I enjoyed this book and would gladly recommend it to anyone who asked about it.



2. your heart feels every emotion. You can read this book in one day you will not want to put it down. Page to page you want to know what is going to happen to Dr. Fred. Not often can learn of someones struggles, and ask the hard qusetions to yourself. The "whys" in this man's life are hard to understand. Until you know that to him living is enough. This book will make you laugh, cry, never want to give up.



3. During the summer or 2004, I was at a junction in my professional path where I found myself in desperate need of encouraging words. I went into the hospital bookstore and found this. The book is simple, the narrative is not as flamboyant as John Stone's "In the Country of Hearts", but it strikes a chord, confirming a fact that we already know to be true: children are much more capable of opening their hearts and minds than adults. To capture the stories of these patients requires a man of courage and character, and I get the feeling that it's exactly what makes Fred Epstein a very special man, and physician.
   
   On a side note, this book was instrumental in finding a neurosurgeon for my niece's classmate. I had just read the book, and gave it to my mother to read. Just two weeks after she got the book, we heard that this little girl had a tumor and had been flown to see some specialists in Miami. After communicating with that family, they were able to get a consult from Dr. Epstein, and she is now recovering, although her prognosis still remains uncertain.



4. Fred Epstein is some sort of folk-hero of a man: Moved by righteous anger to battle against the evil cancers that threaten the lives of innocents, he performs miracles, curing "inoperable" tumours in his bespoke Neverneverland kids hospital.
   
   Whilst parents of a sick child may find solace or interest here, this book (and I appreciate that this view will be unpopular) did nothing for me.
   
   The narrative reads across between a religio-medical manifesto and a self-help book. For every hundred words of anecdote about a child who fought cancer, there's another hundred of pop-philosophising. There are glimpses of the children's brilliance, and one can appreciate the resilience that Epstein is trying to convey, but there is just too little detail here to do more than produce a colour-wash of feeling. It is this that fails to portray the depth of the situation, as any parent could easily empathise and little more understanding is offered by this book. Rather than giving a true insight into the life of a paediatric neurosurgeon, or any more than a superficial glimpse into the lives of his patients and their parents, this comes across as a pseudo-religious pick and mix of ideas, faith and assertions set against a candy-floss coated spiel about the courage, pluck and strength of children.
   
   Whilst there are undoubtedly some amazing stories here - not least Epstein's own as he struggles to recover from a brain haemorrhage with the distant hope of operating again - they are glossed over and whilst any individual's story would be fascinating, these soundbite snippets and clichés form an insubstantial whole that fails to do justice to Epstein or his charges.
   
   Epstein is clearly writing from the heart and to not enjoy his book is not to denigrate the fantastic work he has done for these children and their parents. For parents of children facing surgery, this may be a valuable support and readers who appreciate this tale might also like Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie. For other readers interested in the processes of treatment and recovery, but not fans of the self-help platform, I recommend instead McCrum's My Year Off, Diamond's C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too and Vertosick's When the Air Hits the Brain.
   
   
   dr_sasp



5. I read alot but I don't write that many reviews. This one has to have one. I was ok for the first one hundred pages but on page 108 something happened and I read the rest in tears. This is a great lesson for parents of sick children and parents of seemingly well children. After all we as parents are not given any promises. I checked this copy out from the library but I want my own copy to make notes in and keep on my own shelf. I plan on letting my friends and family in on this little gem.

No comments about A Secret Symmetry: Sabina Spielrein Between Jung and Freud.

5 comments about The Mind Tree: A Miraculous Child Breaks the Silence of Autism.

1. I give this book 5 stars!
   
   From the moment that my son was diagnosed as Autistic, I searched for books that are written by Autistic individuals because I wanted better insight and there's no better insight than from the one who walks the path themselves. Tito not only gave great insight, he amazed me with the most beautiful poetry that I have ever had the priviledge of reading.
   



2. I have read this book 4 times, bought 7 copies to send to all my family. I have a non-verbal child with autism and this book has given me insights into what his life is like. It is so inspiring you can not put it down! Tito is such an articulate writer that I sometimes need to re-read his book to catch all the different meanings his words have said. Actually some of his poetry reminds me of great prophets in the Bible, that need to be studied, considered at every angle, and deeply absorbed. Thank you Tito for all your inspiration! Keep it up!



3. My son has autism and uses a high-tech communication device. This book challenged me to look at the world from my son's perspective and helped me better understand this disorder. It also proves that individuals without verbal communication can still have a lot "to say".



4. I've only read one other book about Autism. That was "Speed of Dark", which was fiction from the point of view of an autistic. It provided fascinating insight into the viewpoint of an autistic, but again it was fiction. It is worth noting that the author was the mother of an Autistic.
   
   I digress. Onto the book "The Mind Tree". I feel I should tell people what this book is actually going to be like. I would have liked to give the book 3.5 stars, but alas there is no option for it. So, I gave it the benefit of the doubt with 4 stars. This is because I know how remarkable it is for someone with such severe Autism as Tito to have written the way he wrote so articulately. That having said, the reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because Tito's prose can be hard to read. Not that it isn't readable--he's actually quite articulate at times--I just found myself doing a LOT of double-takes on certain sentences that I had trouble reading.
   
   The "story" (for lack of a better term) is basically a description of the events of Tito's life as he remembers them. He remembers a great deal, which is impressive. He also does a pretty good job of explaining why he couldn't do things like converse or focus, as well as explained some of his behavioral oddities. For instance, he describes his nervous rocking and/or movement of his arms as "flapping" and explains that he did this because if he wasn't moving, he lost "track" of his body and couldn't "feel" his hands, arms, etc.
   
   This could actually be a good book to read if you have a severely autistic child, or otherwise have a severely autistic person in your life. I think it would help to better understand the world through their eyes and why they behave the way they do. I found the book, overall, a bit dull and I found myself spacing out at times. It really is more or less just an account of how he went from doctor to doctor, from city to city, with his mother in an effort to find him some help. I've always felt that autists really were "normal" people deep down, but that something prevented them from communicating, behaving correctly or properly dealing with social situations, and Tito's words are a fascinating look into exactly how that feels.



5. I loved Tito every moment I read the book and have immense respect for the dedication, persistence and effort of his mother Soma. She seems to be a very strong woman to handle it all alone. But I have to mention this that I hated the part where Tito writes he was hit hard until he paid attention. I have seen and heard of many successful people who cannot ever forget their childhood abuse by their parents even though they were for good reasons.This is a very wrong concept used earlier and is not encouraged any more by many many people these days. Even though hitting might prove right for some reason it does a permanent damage to one's inner self.

2 comments about Aidan's Way.

1. This book is not your typical book about a life of a disabled child. There are no miracle breakthroughs for Aidan, not moments of sudden amazing feats, nothing like that. Aidan is profoundly disabled, and that is not really the reason for writing this book. Instead, we are shown how his life, however it might seem to others, has affected his father, his classmates and the community, through his simply being. The author often quotes ancient Chinese writings, which I thought would not really be something I'd want to read, but instead, I found much in them to speak to me. My children attend an inclusion school. There are children in their classes with severe disabilities, and I can say wholeheartedly those children give my children much more than my children give them. This book is also about the power of thinking locally. Aidan brought his father more into his local community, and helped him bring about change for all children. A beautifully written book.



2. Every now and then a book comes along that wakes us out of our drab routine lives and makes us reevaluate essential questions: what is important? Am I doing something worthwhile with my life? What is life's meaning? Trite as it may sound, "Aidan's Way" does just that, but in a way that is subtle and avoids self-indulgent breast-beating. At its core, "Aidan's Way" is a resounding affirmation of life. Sam and Maureen Crane are the parents of Aidan, who is profoundly retarded mentally--he cannot walk, talk or see. At every turn, they face the possibility that he may die. Pneumonia assaults his lungs and grand mal seizures force him to rely on a feeding tube for sustenance. Adversaries come in human guise as well, with the Cranes heroically combating outrageous abuses by their HMO, doctors stereotyping Aidan as "one of THOSE kids," and a heartbreaking moment of frustration when an indecisive nurse fails to administer a drug in time to stop Aidan's seizures from permanently damaging his already fragile brain. There are heroes, too--a doctor with cerebral palsy who doggedly probes the causes of Aidan's condition while others write him off, a younger sister who brings hope and joy to the family, and countless therapists, journalists, and teachers. Aidan touches hundreds of people. There is even an amusing vignette about Aidan's role in a row involving his father and, of all people, the Singaporean Prime Minister.

   Crane's prose is saturated with vivid imagery and he effectively conveys both the heart-rending pain and sheer joy that is Aidan's way. Drawing upon ancient Chinese texts, particularly the Tao Te Ching and the writings of Chuang Tzu, Crane explores the lessons that Aidan offers to all who come in contact with him. We, the readers, follow Crane's journey as he struggles with ideas of science, human worth and purpose, and the dichotomy of active, rational analysis and intervention, and passive being.

   All in all, an inspiring book by a talented writer who has obviously poured into his words not only his heart, but also that of his son's.

5 comments about The Magic Castle: A Mother's Harrowing True Story Of Her Adoptive Son's Multiple Personalities-- And The Triumph Of Healing.

1. This book was incredible in helping me to understand the torment and coping mechanisms of children who have been abused. Many people are too quick to judge and condemn rather than try to understand someone who is having difficulty coping with life. Carole Smith's book has opened a door for people who want to understand.
   
   Carole Smith is an incredible parent...a REAL parent who shows how to love when it isn't easy.
   
   Alex Smith is an amazing young man who had the courage to look within and come to terms with events over which he had no control. I applaud his courage and honesty in the face of more trauma than anyone should ever have to endure. His story will help many others.
   
   As caring humans we need to take a hard look at the "safeguards" we have in place to protect children. Thank God for people like Carole and Sam Smith who are willing to reach out to wonderful souls like Alex Smith.



2. this book is a little unbelievable.the horse connection is just unbelievable.its impossible to believe that such things can happen openly.however, the book is written well and kudos to the author for taking on such a challenge .the author is an angel for adopting alex when he was as wild as an animal .on the whole , the magic castle is worth a read but some people might not believe the things that happened to alex.



3. I know NOTHING about MPD and would not even begin to comment on that aspect of the book other than to say it was enlightening. That being said, I don't know if I believe the stories of abuse this child supposedly went through. It all seems a little far fetched to me.



4. If you're interested in learning more about Multiple Personality Disorder, this is NOT the place to start. To go a step further, if you're interested in learning more about the "experience" of MPD, this would be an option, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first. Why? Glad you asked:

   Although the book shows interesting information and honestly reflects on Alex's experiences (through his adopted mother), it is filled to the rim with motherly love and saturated with a seemingly overzealous adopted mother. This book is really about HER experience, not his. It's about HER taking the initiative and acting the heroine when she discovers her adopted son was the victim of Satanic Ritual Abuse and suffers from a severe dissociative disorder (MPD). It isn't until the end of the book that some pictures and therapy are discussed. So if you want to learn about a multiple's journey to triumph, save yourself some time and money (and occasionally difficult reading) and get something else.

   If, on the other hand, you're looking to see things from a foster-mom-who-doesn't-know-anything-about-MPD's point of view, this could be the book for you. I became tired and irritated as I tried to crawl through the pages that were dripping with, "Oh, my poor baby! Save him!" and "If you won't, I WILL!!" Pu-leeze. Once again, if you've read them all and you want a new one, here it is. Otherwise...you might very well get more information (and less sugar) from the back of a cereal box. :v(




5. This book is very graphic and very gruesome. I was very disturbed by the things I read. The abuse this child suffered was horrific, and you get to hear the details from the child's viewpoint. I found the stories of abuse to be so vile and horrifying that I even though this book was a gift, I am donating it to my local library. I read it once, and would never read it again because I found it so upsetting. To think that such evil exists in the world makes me physically ill. So be forewarned that this book is very disturbing, gruesome and upsetting.

5 comments about Della Raye: A Girl Who Grew Up in Hell and Emerged Whole.

1. This is an eye-opening, gripping account of mental institutions during the Depression and after. It is well told and keeps the reader hanging. I could not put it down. Once I connected with Della Raye, I had to know what would happen next.



2. Della Raye is only one of hundreds of children from age 2 through age 21 who were shipped off by one or both parents to Partlow who simply did not want to care for them any more. Fortunately she, and others whom I personally know, came through it, although they will never forget the nightmares of being locked in a 4 x 4 room for a month for stealing a piece of cornbread, or worse yet, beging stripped naked and taking turns for showers until all patients in that building were finished. No personal clothing, no books, no radios, or newspapers, when a relative of mine was released after ten years, she did not even know how to dial a phone or how to apply for a job. This book is a true story of one person's hell, replicated thousands of times over at least 50 years, and must be read to be believed. Believe me, it is all true.



3. I drive by Partlow every night on my way home from work. As a resident of Tuscaloosa, you sometimes forget that Partlow and Bryce are there. As you head towards the bridge to cross the river, the top of the main building at Bryce is easily seen from afar, and I'm sure visitors to the area probably think it to be an antebellum home. Instead, the sprawling grounds of Partlow and Bryce speak of the sad state of "care" in this state, in the past and in the present. I truly loved this book, and I always hoped after I read it for the first time that I would run in to Della Raye somewhere in town and get to meet her. I know she's gone now, but what a testament she left. I hope many more people will read this story. She never became famous, but she showed courage and perseverence and forgiveness and love to the world, a world that locked her away and demeaned her existence.



4. On Saturday, September 20th, 2003 @ 3:00AM Della Raye Hughes became one of the most celebrated angels in the Heavens. I love you and will miss you terribly Della Raye. Right now you are probably flitting from angel to angel doing comb outs, setting perms and trimming locks. I wish you well on your journey.I am honored to have known you. Please look down on me from time to time. Lord knows I need all the guardian angel help I can get, oh, and it wouldn't hurt if you put a good word or two in for me (insurance...you know). Thank you for all the inspiration, encouraging words,laughs,long distance hugs and for the trust you placed in me. You will always be in my thoughts with much love and respect.



5. This book is about Della Raye Rogers who at age 4, along with her mother and some other relatives, was committed to the Partlow State School for Mental Deficients in Alabama. It was 1929 and Della Raye's Uncle Richard was too poor to shoulder the burden of caring for himself and his "feeble-minded" relations so he had them institutionalized. At the state school the patients were classified as "morons", "imbeciles" or "idiots". The staff was mostly untrained and uneducated so the "school" was more of an underfunded warehouse for those who were unable to care for themselves. After suffering 20 years of horrifying physical, psychological and emotional abuse, Della Raye was finally released. She found that she not only had the spirit & intelligence to live her life fully, but also the grace to forgive those who had treated her so badly. A heart-warming, inspiring story of the power of love and faith.

No comments about Don't Bury Me...IT AIN'T OVER YET.

3 comments about Overcoming Asperger's: Personal Experience & Insight.

1. Every now and then you may be lucky enough to come across a work such as this. It's a very honest, sometimes painfully honest account of one man's struggle to live in a world that is almost too alien to bear. The insights in the journey of overcoming Asperger's Syndrome, sometimes sublime into the spirtual - to the very ordinary, are an inspiration. This is a must read! Whether your interest is professional or just understanding the human condition. You really do feel that you are walking with him, every step of the way.



2. This book is a rare gem and a recently discovered treasure. In addition to being well written, one can identify with much of what the author has chosen to share. It provides a much needed window with parted curtains into autism/Asperger's (a/A) perceptions and interpretations.
   
   It has been said and evidence appears to support the finding that people on the a/A spectrum learn empathy cognitively as opposed to intuitively. Seeing the view from another person's perspective is challenging for most people, but for those on the a/A spectrum it is all the more so.
   
   This book is one that commands respect; being able to disclose the level of information that is found in this book is nothing short of courageous. It is the voice of hope for those with any form of autism; for professionals and for those personally involved with people on the a/A spectrum. This is a book for everybody! Being able to share these insights and observations made me think of the song "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound of Music."
   
   Hats off to this book!



3. From a literary point of view, this is by far your best book yet. But from a subject matter point of view, it is just outstanding. It is written well enough that, as I read each of the episodes you relate, I agonized with you as you strove to deal with each. The book is a remarkable insight into the thoughts and personality, even the mind, of someone who looks at the world through a different set of lenses than most of us do.
   Cumulatively, the episodes and their outcomes gradually made me realize that something was missing in how you regarded the personnel in each event and how you assessed "blame" for the contretemps that often resulted. It eventually dawned on me that there was very little, if any, empathy for the views and feelings of others in the way you approached these situations. It seemed difficult for you to understand how the other guy or gal might feel about a particular situation. When I mentioned this to other professionals, they told me that the lack of empathy is a major symptom of Asperger's.
   However, the overriding feeling I experienced while reading your book was admiration. Time after time, I said to myself, "Man, that took a lot of guts to write that!" Although perhaps therapeutic, writing the book also must have been quite painful. But beyond whatever therapeutic value writing it had for you, think of how invaluable the insight you provide into what it is like to live with Asperger's and ultimately overcome it will be to others with the condition, to family and care-givers, and to medical and psychological professionals working to treat those with Asperger's. You have done a great service, undoubtedly at no small cost to yourself, to all who are involved in any way with this condition and they should be grateful.
   Congratulations on a job very well done!

3 comments about A Healing Family.

1. My first book by Kenzaburo was Silent Cry. Recently I read A Healing Family and found that I really liked it a lot. Yukari's illustrations were beautiful. This book made me feel closer to Oe's family. It is very heart-warming.

   At the time I read it, I was in the process of deciding whether to get my wisdom teeth extracted by a dentist or an oral surgeon. I heard that my face would be bruised and swollen, my jaws unhinged, etc. after the surgery. It was quite unnerving just to think about it. Then I read that Hikari has to make weekly visits to the dentist, and that his epileptic pills make his gum terribly swollen. I felt that I am in a much much better situation than some people. It was a consolation to read this book.

   One thing I don't quite like about most of Kenzaburo's books is that he refers to a lot of other European writers and their works, which I find hard to understand. Well, that's just my ignorance.




2. Kenzaburo Oe, the Japanese novelist who won the 1994 Nobel Prize for Literature, was 28 when his son, Hikari, was born. This event was the most important in Oe's life. Born with a herniated brain, Hikari has needed almost constant care since birth. "A Healing Family" is Oe's first non-fiction attempt to make sense of Hikari's life and the effect it has had on the people around him, most importantly his family.

   This beautiful book shows the profound love, affection and pride the Oe family take in Hikari's accomplishments and happiness. From the age of five, Hikari has been obsessed with classical music, and eventually began to compose pieces for piano and violin. Much of "A Healing Family" concerns Oe's attempts to understand his son through music.

   "A Healing Family" is a book everyone should read. Finely crafted, perceptive, intelligent and moving, it shows us again that compassion and empathy can make all the difference in the world.




3. Hard to believe that no one else has written a review of this book because it is excellent... Oe's manner of dealing with his son's affliction and the effects it has on his family is truly amazing... His manner is truly one of love and serenity.... Without any reservations, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about "heart"...

5 comments about Phone in the Fridge: Five Years with Multiple Sclerosis.

1. This book was funny, if a book about MS can be funny. I received my own diagnosis 18 yrs ago (when there really weren't any treatments available). I wish there'd been a book like this around then, because it shows that life goes on, and life is still good, and yet it doesn't pull any punches about how hard some of these symptoms are. The only question I have is whether all of Ms. Moorehead's cognitive challenges really are MS -- I was personally fine cognitively until I had kids, at which point my brain became overloaded with kid minutiae and quit functioning quite as well as it had before! This may or may not be MS, but I feel obliged to question it, because I don't want newly diagnosed patients to feel that all of these symptoms, particularly the cognitive symptoms, are inevitable. Having said this, I applaud Ms. Moorehead for sharing with us as she has. God bless her for the chapter on exercise. I thank her for her courage and her candor!



2. this book is about personal experiences that the author has had. she makes her experiences humerous. those that have experienced these symtoms know it isnt easy but you have to accept what you have. Its easy to identify with her and to see alot of your own symptoms or mine anyways. my husband is reading this book now so he can better understand me. I didnt think Id like this book but loved it. I reccomend this book to anyone with ms, their family and close friends. It is a good example of cognitive issues.



3. This book is very honest and funny! I have so enjoyed reading this as well as her other "coffee in the cereal". They both make me feel that I am not alone with the crazy things this disease does to my body, and better still, they make me smile about it! Thank you, Lorna for putting it all in perspective with humor,after all, it IS the best medicine anyway! :0)



4. I read Lorna's first book and this one is just as good if not BETTER. I have MS and I can totally relate to everything she writes about



5. Just as "Coffee in my Cereal", was an honest open expression of being newly diagnosed, this look into the ongoing saga of living with a disease without a roadmap was a delight to read. Lorna has such a way of sharing that touches people in so many ways with humor and insight. It makes others with the disease say I am not alone.