Disabilities Books

I now own two copies of this book, one for me and one to loan to friends and family. This book is in no measure short of a miracle. Putting aside learning disabilities and her youth, Ms. Abeel is a gifted poet and author of exceptional depth. That this began as a middle school writing assignment by a child struggling to survive in an insensitive world makes it a tribute to the difference one or two "seeing" people can make. This book is a must for anyone interested in well expressed observation of the rich tapestry of life. --Dave

Though this book is recommended for kids, its greatest value is for anyone, adult or child, who is learning disabled. The author, a teenager at the time of writing, was learning to deal with her severe learning disability-dyscalculia- a total inability to deal with numbers. It is evident from reading her poems that what she lacks in arithmetic abilities is more than compensated for by her exceptional way with words and images. The fact that she was only 15 or so when she wrote the poems is even more astounding. a must for anyone who has a learning disability or knows someone who has one. This is one book that should be catalogued under learning disabilities and education!

I haven't read this book, but I did read a feature article about the author in the October issue of Seventeen magazine. I think it's wonderful that someone could overcome an LD and then be so gifted as to write about it. First chance I get, I'm going to read this book.

I have been looking for a poetry book to include in my graduate studies project for a children's literature course. I've spent many hours trying to find the right book with the right message for the right audience. This book fits right in with the theme: perseverance. I am astounded by the giftedness of this writer and the beauty of the watercolors from a remarkable illustrator. I think all my students will be able to relate in some way and find consolation in realizing that success is a matter of tapping into one's gifts. I am pleased on discovering the thoughtful and enlightening personal entries from Samantha,her mother and teacher at the end. What a wonderful story to share!!!

This poetry book by a thirteen year old learning disabled child opens the doors for all of us as writers and readers. It allows both children and adults to recognize their own "personal disability", maybe something no one sees, and realize that all are conquerable! The prologue and epilogue include Samantha speaking, her parents, and her english teacher...these three points of view bring an in depth view of the "gift within us all" just waiting to be recognized and nurtured. This is a must read for anyone who touches the lives of children!

The book was easy to read, understand, and apply. The author gives very practical and extremely useful information for stroke survivors. He understands the issues because he himself is a survivor. The stories in the book were motivating and encouraging.

While Dr Guns has written an extremely motivational book for the stroke survivor (and caregiver), the absolutely best thing about this book is that it provides a road map to success: actual, practical steps to follow that will make a difference. It is not a feel good book, some of it is hard, and forces one to face reality- but that is the first step to progress. I believe that this book would be useful to a larger portion of the population than just the stoke survivor community. Many people with some form of physical disability or limitation can use some of the steps to make real improvements in their everyday abilities. Even more important than physical improvement is the chance to sharpen and focus one's view of one's situation, even if the final determination is that improvements are not physically possible.

A powerful book for stroke survivors written by "one who has been there", a fellow stroke survivor. This book offers help and hope in an easy to read and understand format.

Dr. Guns has an excellent view of how to approach a new idea to the stroke survivor and empathy for the caregiver, as he is a survivor himself.

He and his program RAISE the hopes and help to revitalize the survivor's outlook on life.
Using basic concepts of Reflect, Analyze, Identify, Start, and Evaluate (RAISE) emphasizes thinking and preparation for obtaining a goal or goals for the stroke survivor, giving both the survivor and the caregiver the written tools, which they themselves create, to follow and remember/review. The key in the program success is for the survivor and the caregiver to create their own plan, not have it pushed at them by someone else.

This program can be used by anyone struggling to set goals along the way to overcoming a challenge.

Having used and continue to use/update the program and my goals as a survivor, it still continues to amaze me at how much these simple steps have improved my life.

The book is awesome.
I seriously believe that you have a winner here. The book provides true motivating stories of fellow survivors who have beaten the odds.
Dr. Bob provides a practical "How to" that will enable you to improve if you do the work.

It is much more than a handbook.

It is way more than what I was expecting. It is much read for stroke survivors and caregivers alike.

Bob Miller http://StrokesSuck.com

As a Catholic educator I have read and used many books on the saints, but this book was unlike any I have ever read. Its spiritual dimension is hard to articulate, but you know you have read a holy book when you are finished.

This is an outstanding book. It should be required reading for all Catholics. Who knew we don't pray TO the Saint but rather we ask them to pray WITH us? I do not have a disability but I loved the historical information the author provided about the life and times of the saints.
Well done..way to go.

Karyn Grace

I bought this book even though I do not have a disability. I was drawn to it because I look to the saints for examples and advice. I try to "prepare myself" for any struggles that may come my way. I am already familiar with many of the saints, but this book includes many saintly and blessed people I had not heard of--so I learned something new. I recently met the author (Janice McGrane). She is a wonderful storyteller and a very humble and kind individual. She knows from first-hand experience that disabilities can bring us closer to God if we allow ourselves to place "radical trust" in Him. The saints are our friends who who are eager to help us and comfort us if we just reach out to them.

Saints to Lean On by Janice McGrane, S.S.J. provides a compelling look at eleven different "spiritual companions". Each biographical vignette looks at a member of the "communion of saints" who have gone before us on their own paths, which included pain and suffering. In her introductory comments, McGrane rightly discusses the line between praying "to" saints and praying "with" them. Not all of the eleven have been formally canonized, but each provides a role model of strength and courage in facing adversity. While the book is addressed towards those suffering illness and disability, I found it an uplifting resource for taking on any adversity in life. I was particularly moved by the chapters on St. Therese of Lisieux and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

Author Janice McGrane, who has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis since she was 25, was prompted by her own experience to write about 11 Christian saints and mystics who offer us inspiration and spiritual companionship in times of disability and illness. In the introduction, McGrane clarifies the Catholic position on praying "to" saints. What we really mean, she notes, is asking the saints to pray "with us" to God. She adds an explanation of the Catholic belief in "the communion of saints," the relationship between the living and the deceased whose prayers, stories, and companionship are available to us. She also addresses the old practice of "offering it up," stressing the importance of acknowledging the pain of life and "consciously and continually" giving it over to God in whatever way seems best.

At the heart of this book are men and women from different times and places who experienced different physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. One, Catherine of Genoa, is presented as a model for caregivers. What all of the subjects have in common, McGrane explains, is that "their writings and their powerful witness to others demonstrated great spiritual lessons on how to live with a debilitating illness or disability."

In each chapter the author provides biographical information, particularly the individual's spiritual journey, and effect on others during life and after death. Most chapters also include information on the cultural and medical responses to the disability or illness at the time the subject lived and today. McGrane wraps up the stories with ways we might enter into spiritual companionship with the individual.

Chip Emmons is a fantastic story teller -- this is a very moving book and I'm so pleased to have discovered a new writer and this lovely story about a father and son.

This is a wonderful story of a father finding courage through his love for his son. Emmons is a talented story teller and his first book demonstrates his remarkable ability.

Chip Emmons is a talented writer and Shirley Anger's illustrations compliment the story perfectly. An interesting and meaningful book for the whole family. My daughter can't wait for the next book. Mr. Emmons please keep them coming!

Sammy Wakes His Dad by Chip Emmons is the story of a young boy who loves going out early to fish more than anything. His dad used to come fishing with him all the time, but ever since an accident left his father in a wheelchair, his seems to do nothing but hang around the house and mope. Longing for the good times they once shared, Sammy finally decides to speak out, and tell his dad how he feels. Filled with hazy yet charming color illustrations by Shirley Venit Anger, Sammy Wakes His Dad is a warm, thoughtful book well-suited for young readers ages 4 to 8.

Chip Emmons is a wonderful storyteller. He knows each word by heart and loves to tell this tale, which is truly touching. I recommend this book highly, it's a wonderful story and gives me a cozy warm feeling when I read it to my son. I gave this book four stars because I'm not crazy about the illustrations, but the author's words more than make up for that. Congratulations, Chip!

This is one of my all time favorite stories. I was given this book for Christmas as a child (about 6 or 7) and have read it many times over the last 40 years or so. It is a wonderful, wonderful story.

This book never loses its appeal for my children and I. As the healing powers of imagination , love and the natural world restore Mary and Colin, so too does this book work its magic on readers, who will awaken from the tale as from a dream.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Each time I read it I am once more swept away into the haunting and slightly Gothic world of the English moores and the mystery that haunts that old house.

There is something absolutely enchanting this book that I have yet to put my finger upon. I don't know if it's the setting, the classic story, the incredibly developed characters, or the mystery. But it's fantastic.

It begins with Mary, a thoroughly bratty, spoilt child who had grown up in India, every single one of her whims answered. When her parents die horribly, she is shipped off to her uncle's, across the world in dreary England. However, he doesn't pay much attention to her, either, and Mary finds herself, most unwillingly, becoming attached to the staff of the spooky old house and the story of an abandoned garden loved by her dead aunt.

One of the strongest points of this book is its characters. We have the obvious example of Mary, the girl who goes from being a complete bitch to someone tolerable. The rest of the cast is just as wonderful, as quirky and different as one could ask for, all with their own stories and personalities.

Then we have the vibrant setting. Hodgson is a genius at painting a gorgeous but unflowery world of enchanting England and India, from lush sun to rain-soaked fields, an earthy garden, a dusky old house.

Basically, it's everything you could ask for from a book.

Mary is a sour nine-year old girl whose neglectful parents die in India and she is taken to an even more neglectful uncle in a gothic castle in a remote part of England. Interest in something outside herself is sparked when Martha, the servant assigned to look after her, is shocked that Mary never learned how to dress herself. There had been no need. Martha has other duties so Mary is left alone. Her explorations lead her out in the late winter air and to an obsession with finding "the secret garden." She discovers an even bigger secret of another child in the house.

Through magic and exercise, both children are transformed. This highly entertaining book is a wonderful read for all ages.

This is a wonderful classic. Our garden gives me an emotional resurrection every spring which this story describes beautifully.

This book changed my life in a matter of minutes. I am a 23 year old mother of a 9 month old baby boy that has down syndrome. I have come to realize that my son was an absolute gift. He was meant to be ours and we were meant to be his...this book gave me the extra inspiration that I sometimes need. When I get discouraged, I just read a few pages of this book and I instantly feel refreshed! This is a must have for parents of children with down syndrome-the sooner you read it and listen to the beautiful song, the better!

As the mother of a special child, this book touched the depths of my soul. How heartwarming it is to realize that other parents view themselves as blessed by God to have the opportunity to experience the "hidden miracles," even if for a short period. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling for understanding.

Wonderful book and CD! He captures all the feelings and emotions we feel inside when we discover we have a special needs child. Our daughter has Down syndrome and we were so frightened when we found out...this song reminds us that God creates all of us in His Image! We are so blessed... our daughter brings us nothing but JOY! I would reccomend it to all who have found out they have a special child coming into their lives!

Please keep in mind that this book is most appropriate for parents of children with Down Syndrome. I had bought it, hoping it was applicable to various disabilities, but with a few exceptions, Down Syndrome was the primary disability, as well as anencephaly.
In any case, a disability is a disability, and this book is perfect to give as a gift to someone who recently discovered that their child is "special". That is always a traumatic discovery, and coping is so difficult. This book will bring many tears of sadness, but when you finish reading it - - you will find that God has indeed blessed you, and that you have plenty of the two most important things you will need: love, and hope. Terrific buy!

To read this book is like sitting around a table of your peers and to finally realize that your feelings of love mixed with grief are not unusual or wrong. What a wonderful way to teach you that your special child was chosen to be yours, because you too are special or why else would God allow you to care for such a special gift with such a sweet spirit. We love our Anna and this book helped us to see what a very special gift she is and how lucky her dad, her twin sister and I are to have her in our lives.

The Special Needs Ministry Handbook: A Church's Guide to Reaching Children with Disabilities and Their Families

Amy Rapada challenges todays churches to put into action what we are all called to do: Love others. Mark 9:37 tells us "Whoever welcomes one of these children in My name, welcomes Me". As the parent of a child with special needs (myself) and having experienced judgment and isolation inside church, I appreciate the challenge. In a place where all should be welcomed, many tend to look for the easy way out. This book gives practical hands on application for us to make a difference. Join the discovery that people with special needs have the power to make a difference in your life. They are a gift we should embrace. This book will help you create an environment for success in all children and open your mind to the gifts they possess. We are to be no different than the child who comes willingly with an open heart. We are not the strong giving to the weak, but living in obedience to love one another. Consider making a special needs ministry in your local community a priority. With this book you will be prepared!

Many people are not aware of the ways that churches either include or most often, exclude families with members who are differently abled. Amy does a great job of raising awareness about the great gift that churches can offer to families by taking steps to welcome, include and nurture children with special needs. In this book, Amy provides theological insight and practical information that encourages churches to take steps to be welcoming to all. Very helpful!

Families coping with difficulties need a sense of community and support so very much. When one family member is excluded from activities, the whole family is excluded. Isolation leads to despair. When my son was younger, it was extremely difficult to find things we could do as a family. At times his behavior was straining the patience of everyone around him, yet his very inclusion in every day life was just what he needed to figure this world out. One cannot always rely on the compassion of strangers. Amy Rapada's book gives very detailed plans on how to take a service-oriented, faith-based organization through the maze of inclusion. Because it doesn't take only compassion. A sustained committment to bridging the gap between understanding and action takes careful planning. Amy's book will guide you all along the way. A wonderful resource.

Amy Rapada has done a great service for churches (and other organizations) in producing this book out of her own experience. Her insights are helpful, the material is well-organized, and the tools are useful. The Church should be welcoming to all people, but most churches are anything but welcoming to people who don't easily fit in. Amy is helping us to better be the Church.

...in my name welcomes me." Mark 9:37.

When I sat down to write this review, I spent some time attempting to come up with an appropriate title. And honestly, I couldn't think of a better one than the above quote from Mark.

Amy Rapada is a parent of a child with special needs, a special needs ministry consultant, and experienced educator and curriculum specialist. The story of her son Zach mirrors the joys and challenges all parents of special children experience. Thousands of books have been written about the public school experiences, but Zach inspired Rapada to reach further into her community to bring children with special needs into the ministries of churches nationwide. And The Special Needs Ministry Handbook was born.

The author writes, "Ninety five percent of those with disabilities are currently "unchurched." To that end. Rapada's Handbook is a special needs mission to include as many children with special needs into the fold of their family's chosen church.

The handbook covers ages preschool through middle school with a section for resources and disability organizations that partner with churches. It includes handouts for local churches to use in helping children with special needs.The models of Total, and Reverse Inclusion bring teacher resources, one-on-one support, and the nature of volunteerism to the forefront of how a church can appropriately and compassionately include this most special population. It answers questions such as, How can we include this child? What are the family's needs? What can we do if we're short of volunteers?

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for religious institutions is how to communicate with families with children with special needs, and how to convey information on the multitude of disabilities to church members with the goal of achieving understanding and compassion.

With that goal in mind, Rapada provides a manual with in an easy-to-read format, with extensive teacher resources and specific weekly lessons based on learning centers such as gross motor, art, sensory, etc.

This is a Bible-based curriculum, with versus to read and discuss. But it's so much more. In the Gross Motor Center, a child could be repeating a short Bible verse while using a mini-trampoline. The children are also encouraged to go beyond the "me," and make or do things for other people. For example, an art project that makes things for people who are ill. Being involved with this curriculum helps a child with special needs gain self-esteem and real world experience within a Christian focus.

To quote the author: "Churches that enable learners with disabilities enable God to work in the lives of families with special needs." Rapada saw a need, and she conveys this message intently and with expertise.

*Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, New International Version.

As someone who has worked in the field of youth mentoring for over 30 years, this is a book I've been waiting for. Ms. Rhodes combines research with readability, validating what a lot of us already know about the power of mentoring. Equally important are her concerns as mentoring programs expand into new venues and plan on significant growth. Her research reminds us of the challenges and care that must be taken to build sustainable, long term relationships.

Having read the original Public Private Ventures research on Big Brother Big Sister, I found her deeper analysis of their data and findings an excellent addition to the original findings of the study.

The chapters on why some relationships work and others fail,is insightful and should be read by any adult involved in a mentoring relationship or considering the possibility. Again,
her ability to translate her research into practical how to advice, and explain why it works is extraordinary.

For program planners, her step-by-step advice on how to develop an effective mentoring program is invaluable and research based. Her emphasis on training and the infrastructure of support needed for mentors to be successful, is an important reminder as mentoring goes "to scale".

There is a wealth of information in this easily readable book and I highly recommend it to anyone who cares about effective, quality mentoring for today's youth.

Dr. Rhodes knows her stuff, and beyond her interest in facts, figures and statistics you get the feeling she actually cares about youth in a one to one way, not just in hundreds of thousands. When she says that there are two million teens involved in some sort of mentoring program, it makes you feel sad about the millions more who need such a program and yet don't have the means or incentive to discover it for themselves. For, as her research shows, such programs are often of great benefit to the youths, who would grow up with twisted morality or stunted social values without mentoring.

And yet there is a dark side to this happy story, for all too often (says Dr. Rhodes) there may be a boy or girl whose psyche is not helped at all by tutoring (or mentoring) and who may be poorly matched with someone who really owly cares for them to the extent that they can feel good about themselves and tell their friends around the water cooler, "Oh, I helped my Little Brother this weekend," when really all he did was perhaps drive him to an arcade and give him a ten dollar bill telling the boy to enjoy himself. Such mentoring does not help--and even worse, this may hurt the kids. For young people are not cogs in a mechanical wheel, and they do not have interchangeable parts. In this way adolescence has bypassed modernism, and it is time the sociologists realized it.

Dr. Rhodes follows correct protocols, and yet she still believes in the sanctity of the individual personality--you might even say, the "soul" of the at-risk teen.

This is a timely, in-depth book that really gives folks a perspective of the joys and challenges of mentoring. Superb resource and important data for all to see! I highly recommend this book for anyone who understands or wishes to understand the relevance of youth mentoring.

As someone who was searching for a book on mentoring young students this book helps put things into perspective. Ms. Rhodes explains the benefits of the youth needing to be helped and those who help them. Rhodes examines the psychological process behind mentoring. She expands upon the bonds that develops between mentors and youth, what they bring to the process and what they get out of it, and the important role adults who are not their parents can play in the development of children. A lot of us know that mentoring is important but she brings the facts to life. She explains the need to take great care when deciding to be a mentor or not, infact she says do not become a mentor if your heart is not completely into it.

She uses many different thoriest to prove her points and help you better understand why young people need to be mentored, reguradless of their backgrounds. I thought that I knew a lot about the benefits of mentoring the young, but she clarifies why the young need the mentoring and why there is a stronger need for mentors these days. She explains that there are more single parent or duel working parents and therefore there is less adult child relationships within the family. She tells us of the importance of mentors to help the young become better people by basing their decisions on good role models and not just their friends.

Jean Rhodes, professor of psychology at UMass-Boston and former faculty member at Harvard and UChicago, has written the most thorough book to date about the mentoring process. Employing superb research skills and accessible language for both a professional and lay audience, she captures some of the essential components of mentoring that we as a society need to discuss from both a public policy perspective and a psychological care approach. Her analysis and discussion of ten years of empirical research help support her arguement with essential data that adds to the growing body of knowledge on mentoring. This is a book for community activists, religious leaders, social scientists and concerned citizens.
PM Camic, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Education, Columbia College Chicago

Undeniably the best read I've had in awhile. I couldn't put it down. Darren Greer has become my new "most favorite" author.

I purchased this book over the summer and at first was anxious to read it, but once I actually had time to sit down and read it I kept putting it off. I think the back description turned me off a bit. I thought it might have turned out to be cliche or a "shocker" book, a book that only focuses on shocking the reader. Once I got into the story, however, I couldn't put it down. And once I finished it, Greer's characters and theories stuck in my head. This is definately a book you should consider.

I received this book as a gift. Based on the description on the back, I wasn't sure what to expect. The book was easy to get into, and grew on me the more I read it. I really enjoyed it, and the characters stayed with me after I finished the book. I highly recommend this book!

This is one of the best novels I have read in years. It is utterly original, with something unexpected happening on practically every page. The author has written it in a fully unusual style, with short chapters, sometimes only a sentence or two, stories within stories, and lists. And the ending is terrific. Buy this book. You won't regret it.

Still Life with June is a rare and haunting novel that deserves to be read at least twice.

Stylistically, Still Life is brilliant, juxtaposing textual fragments written in distinctly different voices. Greer achieves ambiguity through calculated precision as his plot and characterization shift between realities.

The text is often confessional, with the protagonist sharing everything from seemingly-insignificant details to the most intimate revelations. The result is a protagonist so realistic that I sometimes forgot he was fictional, feeling implicated by my own voyeuristic presence.

Grafting beauty onto pain, Greer creates a world as enticing as it is disturbing. Intelligent, hilarious and profound, Still Life is a novel to savor.

My 10 year old son and I picked this book for his book club. We had our meeting after the boys read the book and they absolutely loved the book. It was funny, suspenseful and as a parent, I felt it had really good messages about making tough decisions, not giving up and doing the right thing.

I liked this book because this kid from the circus, a nobody went against the dodgeball capital of the world and tried to get things fair, and he did.

I'm 70 and loved The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco. It is brilliant, funny, and taught me more about circus life than I can use in a lifetime.

Point is, it's advertised for 9 to 12 year olds. I'd say it's more for 9 to 90 year olds. It's a page turner and one fun read.

The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco is a must read for every pre-teen in the country. Not just because it's a cute story filled with wonderful insight into the lives of circus people, but because it's a book about finding one's own niche in the word, believing one deserves better than life's circumstances, standing up for oneself, and really, it's about standing up for others when they're too afraid to stand up for themselves.

THE STUPENDOUS DODGEBALL FIASCO IS TOTALLY AIR HEADED AND FOR PEOPLE WHO... WE'LL GET TO THAT LATER. THIS BOOK IS BY JANICE REPKA. THE MAIN CHARACTER IS PHILLIP EDWARD STAINSLAW. HE IS A CIRCUS BOY. HE WAS ACTUALLY BORN INTO A CIRCUS. NOW I THINK THAT'S TOTALLY AWESOME AND OUTSTANDING... BUT NOT PHILLIP. HE THINKS IT'S MISERABLE. NOW I KNOW THAT MOST BOOKS START OUT WITH A BORING BEGINNING, BELIEVE ME!!! BUT NOT WITH THIS BOOK, JUST START THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK AND WALLA, IT'S CAPTURED YOUR ATTENTION. ANYWAY BACK TO THE STORY, PHILLIP'S JOB IN THE CIRCUS IS TO.... OH MY GOSH THIS IS FUNNY, HIS JOB IS TO SCOOP UP ELEPHANT DROPPINGS WITH A POOPER-SCOOPER. NOW THE PROBLEM OF THIS "STORY" OR AS I WOULD SAY IT A "COMICS" IS THAT YOUNG PHILLIP DOESN'T LIKE LIVING IN A CIRCUS AS A CIRCUS BOY. FOR HIS BIRTHDAY, WHICH JUST PASSED, HE GOT A SWALLOWING SWORD. HOW WEIRD IS THAT. MOST KIDS WANT A DIRTBIKE OR A XBOX OR VIDEO GAMES. PHILLIP GOES TO LIVE WITH HIS AUNT AND UNCLE. THATS WHERE THE REAL STORY STARTS, IN HARDINGTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WOULD RECOMEND THIS STORY TO PEOPLE WHO LIKE SPORTS AND ACTION. I WOULD RATE THIS BOOK A 5 STAR BOOK BECAUSE OF THE PLOT AND THE RESOLUTION. WHEN YOU FIND OUT THE RESOLUTION YOU WON'T PUT THIS STORY DOWN.
GOOD LUCK BOOK LOVERS. THANKS FOR READING MY REVIEW