Disabilities Books

These are my kind of fables! I love the different points of view. It's past time people on the spectrum and people with a myriad of challenges had a turn at bat.

As a child, I said I didn't like "stories with morals" because they were the kind "people tell when they're mad at you." This is a refreshing change of pace from the preachy, personal dig and judgmental tone that many moralistic tales take. Kudos to this book!

Searching for a book on fables / folktales and was delighted when I came across this book. Although illustrated and retold by adults with disabilities, I think this is a great book to encourage and empower students of all backgrounds, special needs or ELL. I especially like the section of "What This Story Means to Me" after each fable.

This book was recommended through a school reading program that I volunteer for and it is truly an amazing book. It is uplifting for children and adults due to the morals of the stories and the illustrators' biographies.

This is a charming and unque book. The artists' stories provide a nice counterpoint to the fables. Having not read Aesop's fables since I ws a child, I was amazed how insightful and apropos they remain. This book would make a nice inspirational gift.

I am new to the Early Intervention world and there are so many medical diagnosis and medical conditions out there I am very thankful that this book was available to me. It is simple to find what you are looking for and gives you the definition in layman's terms. It also gives definitions for acronyms used in the medical field. I would recommend it to anyone in the Early Intervention field!

Written by Jeanine G. Coleman, M. Ed., The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology is the updated third edition of a straightforward, practical definitive reference for medical professionals and parents alike. Each entry consists of a brief (from one sentence to one full paragraph) definition of a medical or scientific term concerning medical and development issues, features, and abnormalities present in infants and children. The Early Intervention Dictionary is accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and covers everything from "abrachia" (congenital absence of arms) to "Zero Reject" (The principle that no child with a disability should be refused a free, appropriate education if other children the same age are being served). Highly recommended as a user-friendly reference.

This book was our trusted guide and friend through the first years of our child's life. We took this book with us to every new medical and therapeutic appointment, and it enabled us to quickly become knowledgable about our son's condition. I give this book as a special gift to welcome new "exceptional" families to our circle.

Highly recommended.

This book is an excellent reference tool. As a student seeking certification in early intervention, I find this book to be extremely helpful. This book will guide you through termonology and provide you with a wealth of information.

Until it happens to you, its probably hard to relate, but in this beautifully written book, Wendy Sand Eckel has done an outstanding job of showing the process an entire family will go through when a child is diagnosed with dyslexia.

From the inability of the typical educational system to cope, all the way through to the light at the end of the tunnel using specialized educational methods to confront and overcome the dyslexia, in Educating Tigers you have a fly-on-the-wall perspective of what happens to the family dynamic. Effective ways to deal with any learning disability become readily apparent as you make your way through this entertaining and enjoyable book. It's an easy read.

Drawing on her own background in family counseling, Wendy Eckel does a great job with this book. I learned so much, and highly recommended it.

I got a preview copy of Educating Tigers and once started, I couldn't put it down. WSEckel hits all the emotions that give a great read. If you feel like thinking, laughing, crying, and experiencing the feelings associated with family dynamics, give this a try. I'm already looking forward to the next one from this author.

To love and to learn is to read Educating Tigers, just as the Cunningham family draws from their love to face the complexity of their daughter Tiger's learning disability. It is a rich story - addressing the beautiful complexity of relationships and the urgent need for help for learning disabled children and the myths that can shame and frustrate families. Educating Tigers is compelling and engaging and challenging in an important way. I highly recommend it to anyone - parents, therapists, educators and relatives of a learning disabled child.

This is a fun story, despite the serious issues it raises. It is a common story among millions, but a story that has never been told so well. With up to 20% of the population affected by dyslexia (and 100% of those families!) this story should be read by every educator, by every parent of a child with a learning difference, and by every mother, no matter how "perfect" your child is. The story transcends dyslexia and reaches to the basic structure of families and relationships. On top of that, almost as a bonus, it seamlessly weaves in ten outstanding parenting tips in the form of chapter headers, which are original and worth the price of the book alone.

The truth is Veronica Crawford is a very strong person. She overcame alot of problems caused mainly by her ADHD and low self image. She has a huge heart and is only looking out for the best interest of her students. LDI has helped several students live independently, who would not be able to without this program. She has devoted her life to helping individuals overcoming their hidden disabilities. I recently have read this book and have gained a new respect for Veronica and all of her accomplishments. I also gained knowledge about myself and my sister who also suffers from ADD. Veronica and her book has changed my life and enlightened me to others.

I recently finished reading the book Embracing the Monster by Veronica Crawford. In a word, my reaction is magnificent. Ms. Crawford describes her struggles in dealing with her hidden disabilities honestly and poignantly. As a clinical supervisor for counselors, and as an Adjunct Professor, I will use her book when training counseling. I recommend Ms. Crawford's book without reservation to parents, persons who have a disability, school personnel, and mental health providers.

This book is SO AWESOME and WONDERFUL !!!! A really well written book told in a narrative style. Vernoica Crawford is to be admired and applauded for telling her story of how she successfully overcame her hidden disabilities. She gives hope and inspiration to others, with hidden disabilities, that this is possible. Dr. Larry Silver is very insightful in his foreword and commentaries after each chapter.

Embracing The Monster: Overcoming The Challenges Of Hidden Disabilities blends autobiography with a review of hidden disabilities in a title which chronicles the author's struggles with learning disability, bipolar disorder, dyslexia and other problems. Clinical commentary by Dr. Larry Silver concludes each chapter and provides a physician's perspective on this informative and highly recommended first-person account.

La Fevers has created a beautiful story with Wat and his falcons. My children were so enchanted that we read it twice in a week. That is almost unheard of in our home. The descriptions of Wat and his baby falcons were vivid and touching. The themes of rejection and redemption were moving. The idea of a boy coming into his own was touching. Really, I can't say enough good about this book!!

This book was GREAT!! The storyline had me trapped from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the way magic worked in La Fevers' world. I love stories that focus on nature, animals, and magic, and with this story's medieval setting, this book was a perfect match. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I am a mom who is taking dictation from my son, Connor. We read this book together and I secretly loved it as much as him!

"It was one of my favorite books in the world. Even though Wat had disabilities, he had even more special ABILITIES. His disabilities made him strong, and gave him a heartfelt sense of justice. I don't want to give the story away, but in the end Wat did something I have always wanted to do! You have to read this story to find out what. His love for falcons was amazing".

This book had a falcon-like hold on me from its galloping start to the deeply satisfying ending. One wonders if author R.L. LaFevers hasn't swallowed whole a young medieval boy who now channels through her. This story works on so many levels-- it has universal appeal in its classic battle of the archetypes, and Wat, with his physical challenges, is an unlikely but noble hero.
Wat and the old wizard Griswold call up the imperfect best in all of us. This is an amazing first novel. Call me a fantasy convert.

My daughter has ADD and she has been diagnosed for 3 years. Now she is in the fourth grade and is starting to ask questions about why she is differant. She wants to know if she can succeed with ADD, she is yearning for information that will help her understand herself, I think she is saddened and feels lonely and truly tries to do what she is supposed to....The First Star I see is a wonderful believable story about a 4th grade girl who always feels like she is behind the 8-ball...she finds someone who cares enough to show her that she has attention deficit and in finding out she starts to accept herself through understanding. It describes being teased, forgetting homework, missing details.....humorous story line, emotional and best of all relatable....Good starter book that is loaded with information about ADD/ADHD but presented in fiction form! Emphasis on the positive aspects of ADD .

My daughter has ADD and she has been diagnosed for 3 years. Now she is in the fourth grade and is starting to ask questions about why she is differant. She wants to know if she can succeed with ADD, she is yearning for information that will help her understand herself, I think she is saddened and feels lonely and truly tries to do what she is supposed to....The First Star I see is a wonderful believable story about a 4th grade girl who always feels like she is behind the 8-ball...she finds someone who cares enough to show her that she has attention deficit and in finding out she starts to accept herself through understanding. It describes being teased, forgetting homework, missing details.....humorous story line, emotional and best of all relatable....Good starter book that is loaded with information about ADD/ADHD but presented in fiction form! Emphasis on the positive aspects of ADD .

This was one of the first books I read about ADHD, some years ago. And now when I think back to it, I see that it laid a very good and accurate foundation for understanding the "heart" of ADHD challenges. And, it did so in an entertaining and inspiring way--not at all pedantic or "now we're going to learn about your brain wiring" preachy. If I had a child with ADHD, especially a lttle girl, I would definitely make this bedtime reading.

This book would be good a for girl with AD/HD. She could identify with the successes and the mishaps of a character who shares some of her characteristics. Since girls with AD/HD often feel isolated and "defective," this book could her realize that she is not the only person in the world like this. She may see that one can succeed with AD/HD, and that one doesn't have to be the perfect student to be a successful person.

Paige daydreams during class, so much in fact, that her classmates call her "spacey." Her class is having a competition to see who can write the best paper on a particular topic. Paige is absent-minded, so she forgets about her paper until it becomes an urgent priority. Paige's dog provides distraction for her when she least wants it. The dog is stealing toys from children and animals. Despite all of these challenging events, Paige ends up getting at least part of what she wanted.

This book would be a good addition to the library of a child with AD/HD. It is a bit more of a "teaching" book than simply an entertainment book. However, some of Paige's situations are funny and keep the plot moving.

I found this story to be a nice gentle story of perseverance and friendship. For children facing a lifetime of being "different" on the outside, this story shows how much we all are alike inside.

Everyone should have the opportunity to believe in their own ability to accomplish a dream. With Flying Frog Circus, you not only become a friend of Mona living in the Land of Ican, you identify your own need to go after your dream. It is better to be included and fail, then to be excluded and not given the opportunity.

This is an excellent children's book. Children learn that they can accomplish anything if they have the right attitude. This is a rare and wonderful book about a unique group of children, each child with a disability, who discover that they can succeed if they just believe in themselves. It's a wonderful perspective that every child should see.

It allows disadvantaged children the courage to both look for and find their place in a world which they have felt left out of. In the land of ICAN everything is possible!!!!!! All children need to know this truth. The Flying Frog Circus helps show them the way.

When we lose just a part of our physical or mental being, we can suddenly feel that somehow we are not really ourselves anymore. Dr. Beisser had lost almost his whole physical self, but he shows us so eloquently how to overcome loss by changing his "point of view" both literally and mentally. I have gven a copy of this book to more than one person that I felt by their reading it, it could be of service in some way. I think anyone can benefit form this book, disabled or not and I highly recommend it!!

I'm 25 hispanic female that recently read this book. I just became fascinated for the optimistic attitude and spirit of life that this book has. No words to describe what has done in my life

This is an excellent true story. I think it would be very good for people in the medical and/or caregiving professions to read. Dr. Beisser is very inspirational in his journey to overcome his disability. The concepts in the book that were important to me are those feelings and experiences he relays about being dependent on physical care from nurses and doctors. Specifically, I learned alot from what he said he felt like when they cared for him grudgingly or with indifference; and also how he was affected when they simply would not listen to him. I have taken these words into my life and I always try to remember them when I am caring for someone who is dependent on me. Another important concept is the persistence he embodied. He simply never gave up, even when everybody was telling him to 'throw in the towel'. He did accomplish exactly what he set out to do, despite his obstacles. And finally, the concept of gratitude was BIG in this book. He was grateful even for his disability in the end. As amazing as this sounds, it is a pure and simple truth that we all must be grateful for absolutely everything that happens to us. Dr. Beisser shows the reader this lesson in a big way at the end of the book when he talks about his total acceptance of his circumstances and all the personal growth he has attained from those circumstances.

Arnold Beisser grew up with two life goals: To be a doctor and to be a national tennis champion. At 23, he achieved his first goal; at 24, his second. The year was 1950. Soon after his tennis victory, en route to basic training that would have brought him to Korea as an army doctor, he developed a high fever and was brought to a military hospital. Within 24 hours, he was paralyzed from the neck down. As Beisser puts it, one moment he was a doctor; suddenly he was a patient, requiring an iron lung to breathe. He had contracted polio. This outstanding book examines the funny, sad and philosophical aspects of life with a disability and its social consequences. Particularly fascinating are Beisser's stories of the stigma many people attach to disability. His courtship and marriage, as well as his career as a psychiatrist treating professional athletes, make for compelling reading. Anyone who has struggled in life - because of disability or any other tribulation - will be permanently enriched by this unforgettable memoir.

This book is more than information it's a Journey. I share my life with the reader though small stories of my life. These stories cover any things from not making the grade to man's best friend (Shelton in my case). After the stories is where the journey begins. Each story has a lesson for the reader to understand what I want them to take from the story, followed by a journal entry so you can apply what you have learnt. All these lesson are geared to show that we can overcome the daily challenges and find a path towards success. I only ask one thing of the reader is once your done with this book to hone your skills that you've learnt though this book and other ways. By doing that you will be further along in your pathway of success

This book is more than information it's a Journey. I share my life with the reader though small stories of my life. These stories cover any things from not making the grade to man's best friend (Shelton in my case). After the stories is where the journey begins. Each story has a lesson for the reader to understand what I want them to take from the story, followed by a journal entry so you can apply what you have learnt. All these lesson are geared to show that we can overcome the daily challenges and find a path towards success. I only ask one thing of the reader is once your done with this book to hone your skills that you've learnt though this book and other ways. By doing that you will be further along in your pathway of success

From CP to CPA: One Man's Triumph Over the Disability of Cerebral Palsy is an uplifting personal testimony of Robin Pritts drive to achieve his dreams and overcome barriers set in his path by having contracted Cerebral Palsy. Tracing his journey from a Special Education classroom to the University of Illinois where he successfully obtained CPA certification, From CP to CPA is a motivational and inspirational life journey which is very highly recommended reading for anyone having to cope with a life-altering disability, injury, or illness.

"My own path to success is not finished. I have many more dreams and goals to obtain before crossing the finish line. This is likely to be the same for you. Whether your dreams are for financial success, starting a new business, or just getting a job and starting your own family, no one can determine whether you've won or lost in this magical game of life-except yourself."
~ Rob Pritts, FROM CP TO CPA

Despite your disability, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Despite your disability, you are a valuable and contributing member of society. Despite your disability, you are a unique and special individual the likes of which the world has never seen. Sound to good to be true? It isn't. That's the feeling you'll get while reading Rob Pritts' triumphant new self-help book, FROM CP TO CPA: One Man's Triumph over Cerebral Palsy.

As a popular and inspiring motivational speaker on the subject of disability awareness, Rob Pritts makes no apologies for the fact the he has cerebral palsy. And why should he? From the start, Rob has never let CP slow him down or throw up barriers in the way of his many hopes and dreams. From a self-contained Special Education classroom to the University of Illinois, where Rob obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, to obtaining the CPA certification, Rob's experiences have allowed him to excel into what his former teachers call a "Special Ed Success Story!"

And now that Rob has excelled at his life's ambitions, he is eager to share his positive philosophy with other people with disabilities in his new book: FROM CP TO CPA: One Man's Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy!

From special education teachers to their students, from corporate CEOs to frustrated housewives, from churches to colleges, Rob's message is the same: Don't be discouraged by the cards you've been dealt. Instead, make sure you've always got a winning hand by facing each day with a positive mental attitude-and a humble sense of gratitude.

Rob mixes personal stories of his life as a disabled child, student, graduate, and professional CPA with easy-to-digest lessons aimed at awakening the disability in us all. Followed by evocative journal prompts, FROM CP TO CPA becomes more than just a book, it evolves into an interactive journey through our very souls.

Reading Rob's book is not always easy. Whether you're disabled, or someone without a disability, facing up to your own misconceived notions or perhaps even prejudices is a direct result of Rob's illuminating prose and self-effacing humor. Yet I dare you to walk away from this book uninspired, and as such it makes the perfect tool for facing life more positively when you've been feeling down or uninspired.

In From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones, Shari so poignantly describes the suffering she experienced as a learning-disabled child, yet her sense of humor and determination shine through. It jars the imagination to realize that a child deemed uneducable--even recommended for institutionalization--became a poised and gifted national lecturer with her master's degree in education!

Shari is one of those rare people whose speaking and writing incites a lump in the throat one moment, then bursts of laughter and cheers the next, all for a child who beat incredible odds. Her insights about educational methods that helped and hindered her will impact teachers and offer great hope to struggling students and the parents who love and guide them.

This book is excellent for revealing what is going on in the mind of a child who has learning issues. It's not just behavior (although it is always present, but never an excuse to associate as the cause for learning problems),there are valid medical tests that prove such. We are seeing more and more of these children with learning difficulities and we best be prepared with resource materials and an instructor who knows how to work with these children. Thanks Shari for sharing your life with us.

FROM STUMBLING BLOCKS TO STEPPING STONES by Shari Rusch Furnstahl was an
excellent well written book to give hope to young people and their parents who might be suffering from dyslexia, etc....and know that
you do not need to be discouraged...With determination you can succeed
and do well in life....This is a true story (and I personally know the
author)...

This author is authentic and the REAL DEAL, I was there. But what she did not know was that I was also ,and still am a medically 'special needs' individual whose life was made more brave by being a part of hers. This is a MUST READ handbook for any family with a child with 'less visible' or learning disabilities.