In this book, Elizabeth traces her journey beyond the maze of social, governmental, medical, and school bureaucracies that accompany people with disabilities. Her mission has always been to bust the stereotypes people create, not just around Trisomy-21 (Down syndrome) but around anyone with a difference. As you meet William in these pages, you see he is just like everyone else except that he has an extra chromosome. And Elizabeth, though facing unique challenges, is like every other mother devoted to raising a healthy child and seeing him into adulthood.
Told in vignettes and bits of poetry, Elizabeth Goodhue's memoir of raising a son with Trisomy-21 is an engaging, deeply human read. Each vignette is short-so you think, "Oh, I'll read 10, then put it down." But-you read 10, then "just one more"-before you know it, you've read one-third of the book in one sitting.
Though an obvious audience is parents or prospective parents of children with Trisomy-21, the audience is much broader: parents wanting to learn about advocating for their children, parents interested in a mother's parenting journey, people interested in meeting the needs and recognizing the humanity of people with disabilities, people interested in others' growth, and development in relationships.
Most importantly, educators should read this book: teachers, school staff, principals, district administrators, school superintendents-all these people, especially those tasked with determining the "individual education plans" for students with disabilities - must read this book and learn how to listen, see strengths, and genuinely support students with differences.
