Disabilities Books

Dennis Covington is a genius. I have read this novel almost three times now and with each new reading I find more layers to the story. Covington weaves a fantasticly strange story with bizzare characters that is very difficult to criticize.

Although the story itself is one we've all read before-- the coming of age of Lucius "Lizard" Sims is so fascinating that it will keep many wanting more to read. There are not enough good things I can say about this novel. It should be required reading in all schools.

I liked this book a lot, but it wasn't at all what I expected. It made me a little uncomfortable because I felt like I was listening in on the authors thoughts. This particularly unnerved me because Dennis Covington was my teacher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I was lucky to be in his class during the publication of his book Salvation on Sand Mountain. I recommend reading that book too. You may have seen him on DATELINE NBC regarding his "snake handling" Sand Mountain topic. Regarding Lizard, if you're familiar with Birmingham, AL many of the landmarks will be familiar to you. Also, he is a nice man and a dedicated writer. Other books that may be of interest...Vicki Covington (his wife) has written several very good books

When I read this book I was in 6th grade (I'm in 8th now), And this is the only book I can truely look back on and say I could visualize the colorful, inventive characters, And that I truely enjoyed the story and was amazed that such good books truely existed. This is an amazing book, And I highly recommend it to anyone going through a remotely tough time, Because no matter what Lucius Sims always had hope for the better.

Lizard Lizard is Lucius Sims, a boy that is sent to the Leesville School for Retarded Boys probably because of what he looks like. Lizard has no idea who his mother is, the only person he can relate to is Miss Cooley who tells him that his father died the same year that he was born. Soon a man by the name of Callahan but in disguise as Simonetti comes to Lizard claiming that he is his father. When Lizard finally manages to escape the school he meets the rest of Callahan's actors. They head for the north and camp out in the woods at night. This is were Lizard meets two black kids that live in a pump house. Sammy is not a very good host but his sister seems to understand Lizard, so much that she trusts Lizard to sell their most valuable possession, a mysterious silver bowl that is very precious to both Sammy and Rain. Lizard then heads farther north with the actors to perform The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Lizard must somehow get back to Sammy and Rain and try to continue his endless search for his mother... This book, had strong emotions hidden beneath the words of the main characters like Lizard, Callahan or Sally. Even though there might not seem to be anything interesting in a boy trying to get to the woods, the author fills the book with little "goodies" that keep you interested all the way. The work that this author has given to the development of the characters is extraordinary, especially Lizard. If you haven't read this book then read it. It might change the way you think about retarded boys and maybe lizards also.

A must read..... I couldn't put it down.... I laughed, I cried then laughed some more! Ms. Simpkins at her best!

Someone has said, "It's easy to write. You just sit down at the keyboard and open a vein." Mrs. Simpkins opens a vein and her heart in "The Long Good Night." At the core of this heart the reader will re-discover a need and a secret. The need is love and the secret in love's definition. Absent of pride and praise, Simpkins simply tells the truth regarding her father's Alzheimer's and the telling demonstrates 1 Cor. 13 in action. The episode,indeed,is a long journey, a journey of pain and frustration. It is also a memoir of love, loyalty and laughter. So, take this journey with Ms Simpkins. Cross some narrow bridges. Pass through a tunnel or two. Encounter more than one detour. When "The Long Good Night" is over, bask in the Son shining through. There could be no better refreshment or reward.

Ms. Simpkins has a real talant for storytelling and keeps the reader engaged throughout this journey. If you have a friend going through the struggles of dealing with Alzheimers, this book will give you a window into their new world, the good the bad and the ugly. If you have not experienced, it but know friends that have, you know how helpless you feel watching them in this new world, and you will be able to let them know that you are thinking about them and praying for them and above all -- you "get it."

This book is a heartwarming story which spotlights the struggles of a family hit with the difficulty of alzheimers. Ms. Simpkins is able to engage the reader in laughter at the awkward moments the disease inevitably brings to life expereinces but she also enables us to feel the pain of her father's slipping away into another, unfaamiliar world. This is a must read for anyone whose home has been touched by this disease.

Like so many of us, I've read a vast list of "relationship" books and most have a least a few decent pieces of advice to help gain perspective. However, Judith Sills' straight forward delivery of her blended "old world" and "new world" view of how women apply themselves in relationships REALLY resonated with me personally. I have to admit, it's taken maturity, spirituality and many failed relationships for me to understand how absolutely SOLID Judith's guidance is. I don't know that I would have found it as pertinent when I was 30 and still fighting to find my way but at 40+... this book has been the single best read I've stumbled across in quite some time! I'd say I wish I would have read it sooner but I think it found me at precisely the right time. Thank you, Judith, sincerely.

Judith tells women how to love the man we choose for who he is rather than for who he should be. We cannot change HIM, only our own interpretations. She calls this "refocusing", moving our thinking from "What's wrong with him?" to "What is it I need, and do I necessarily need it from him?" She gives us scenarios of different couples' ways of communicating from doing laundry to watching sports, which are familiar and funny. She teaches us, not submission, but how to help ourselves become more interdependent with our mate, allowing us to love him more, need him less.

Judith Sills tells us how we can change our relationships with men by Refocusing, Reframing, and Responding Differently to our man's behavior. And since Sills says it better than I can, I'll quote a few sentences from her first chapter:

"Focusing on men has taken us as far as it can. This book is written directly to women, and just about women, so that we can turn the corner. The way we turn the corner is that we let go of the idea of getting to love by helping men to change. In our all-too-understandable obsession with getting more of what we need and what we are reasonably entitled to in a relationship, we have overlooked a key psychological truth: ** relationships depend far less on whom we choose than on who we are.**.... You are the single most important factor in whom you choose to love, and in what you experience in return. Love is a measure of your own inner stretch..."

If that paragraph intrigues you, you'll find much of value here. Throughout the rest of the book, she'll gently -- and a little philosophically -- show you how you can help yourself to stretch further.

And despite her statement that she is writing for women on the topic of romantic love, much of what she says about love applies in family and friend relationships as well.

This book shows me how to be more tolerant of the man in my life. My expectations can be pretty high--almost unrealistic. I am reminded to let my signifcant other have his shortcomings while allowing some of my needs to be met though other people and, that the only one I can change is myself. It is one of the best relationship books on how to co-exist with another human being and still be a loving mate. Judith Sills is insightful and skilled in her professional life and with her writing, she's one of my favorite "how-to" authors.

Appropriate for any age. This story is about a little girl named Lucy. When her class is given an activity of creating a picture, most students loved using all the paints. Lucy however decides to make hers with something else in mind because her Grandfather is visiting her and he is blind. So she goes about her assignment by making a very interesting collage, where touch exceeds sight. Initially, even the teacher does not know what Lucy is up to. I was so pleased to see the teacher calmly letting Lucy go about her exploration, instead of forcing her to use paints. I really enjoyed the shift from visual to the touch sensation, because so much of our lives are visually over stimulated. I feel this wonderful book can be used as an example in a collage lesson for any age group.

I am now 12, but I got this book when I was 6. I loved it, my copy is all battered now but it holds a deep lesson. Be different. I was always different, but people accept you, maybe thats why i'm one of the mose popular girls at school. Purchase this . . . u won`t regret it!

Hi I am Lucy a 6 year old who lives in London.Please read more of Nicola Moon's books. Even though Grandpa can't see he is still wonderful. PLease read Nicola's other books because they are neat. From: Lucy With help from mom

When her class is given the task of creating a picture, Lucy decides to make hers for her Grandfather who is blind. So she goes about her assignment a bit differently from the rest of the class. Even the teacher does not know what Lucy is up to, which is part of the charm.

Though there are clues sprinkled throughout the story, I think it takes at least two read throughs to find them all. Lucy's enthusiastic pusuit of her goal makes the story zip by in a hurry. Filled with bright colors, this gentle story is never preachy or overbearing, flaws that mar too many kid's books about "differences."

MOVING BEYOND ADD/ADHD is a must read for anyone suspicious that they or a loved one have either disorder, or for anyone working with this population.

Since "prevention" is better and easier than "cure," in both cases of attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyeractive disorder, you will not find prevention recommended. Unfortunately, it is only when life becomes close to intolerable that people seek relief; that is,if they seek relief at all!

It is now common knowledge that more children (more males) are being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, and many Americans like myself are asking, "Why?" You may have heard that teachers don't want to deal with children "outside the norm" and that schools receive more funding for every child diagnosed as ADD or ADHD, so children are indiscriminantly targeted with ADD or ADHD. You may also have heard that the pharmaceutical companies are pushing their drugs to the physicians and that the physicians find it easier to simply prescribe a drug to "calm down Johnny or Sally."

Well, part of this is true. However, the authors state in their book that the holistic approach is the long-term cure, and I tend to agree. But for those who feel they can't or don't want to follow this approach, then the other approach is the medicinal approach, which of course has side effects. Left untreated, the person goes through many difficulties during his/her life span. Treatment definitely is the better choice, whether holistic or medicinal, say the authors.

The authors answered my question of reasons for more children being diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD. First, better diagnostic tools, and second, children's childhood being drastically changed from the past. Their brains are not being given a chance to develop naturally. TV, video games, both parents working and coming home exhausted, etc. all play a role. The authors do an excellent job of explaining the kind of "culture" parents need to provide in their homes for children to develop into normal, happy human beings prepared to meet the many challenges of life. The authors also explain to parents and others working with children how to help children become grounded and centered, which is imperative to moving beyond ADD/ADHD. That is, experiencing life "inside" themselves, not "outside."

The authors do not pretend that their holistic cure is an easy, get-well quick fix, but it is a lasting cure as opposed to Ritalin. And they have provided you with guidelines.

As stated earlier, this is a must read for anyone suspicious that they or a loved one have either ADD or ADHD, or for anyone working with this population.

Finally someone has the courage to say NO to drugs. This book shows you that there is life before taking drugs for this disorder. I commend the authors for doing an outstanding job of showing how anyone can overcome this setback in their life. On a scale of 1-5, I give this book a 10. Everyone should read this book to get a better insight to what this so called disorder can do to you or your family.

Michael Monji, author of "Does It Pay to Die?", a living trust workbook.

Fellow ADDers. First step is to recovery is to admit that you have a problem. In this wonderful book Debroitner et al say that ADD can be overcome, can be cured, by the basic fundamental techniques of good living, healthy eating, correct breathing, excercise and meditation- without drugs. The key is to get in touch with your soul. I am an adult and have a severe case of ADD, and in stressful situations, my attention span can be measured in seconds, but by remembering to follow some of the techniques outlined in the book, ( such as "Jet Knees") I could control my impulses considerably. This is a great book. Read it. Use it.

When this book was first brought to my attention I seiously doubted that it would help me at all. I was very wrong. It is an excellent book for anyone that has suffered with ADD or knows someone that has. It is very informative for parents of an ADD child. For me as an adult it has helped me tremendously in understanding myself and finding myself so I can move forward in life

This book offers the best not only in terms of content but also in the quality of the writing. There are many truly wonderful writers here, including some of my personal favorites: the wise and compassionate Naomi Remen, the fascinatingly resilient Floyd Skloot, and one of the book's editors, Karen Myers, whose honesty and sensitivity is not only moving but illuminating. A lot of ground gets covered, and what the authors have to say isn't really just for "people with disabilities;" their thoughts, observations, emotions and epiphanies will resonate with everyone who has ever struggled to accept or adapt to difficulty, to adversity, or to the disconcertingly unexpected -- whether within the realm of illness, disability and healing...or simply within the realm of LIVING. Its truths are universal.

This book is for anybody who has a body, especially those of us who may have discovered that our body can't do what it once could. I especially appreciate the different points of view and subject matter, the sense that this project is a circle of people with varied life experience who are contributing to a picture of what it means to be human and challenged that is larger and more inclusive than the sum of its parts. The selection of form and tone gives a suggestion of the flexibility and resourcefulness that are called out of each of us in dealing with our individual challenges. Kudos.

If you or your loved ones are coping with illness or disability, this book is a must-read! This book leads the reader through this process - from affliction, to isolation, to integration, and all other steps in between - all through the voices of those who have walked this path before. You cannot read this book and be unmoved, either through a greater recognition of yourself in these stories or through a greater understanding of those who live with illness or disability. A book you will keep forever and reach for again and again when your spirit needs rekindling.

The personal essays and poetry in My Body of Knowledge are not only educational in terms of learning about how people live with disability and chronic illness, but also well written and moving. From well known authors such as Rachel Naomi Remen and Molly Ivins, to "every day people" like the editor Karen Myers, the personal experiences shared in the book are poignant, and full of truth and love. As a cancer survivor making my way through the world, I was heartened by reading the authors' writings. So many of their struggles resonated with my own--from entering an unknown, uncertain world to the emotions I've felt--grief, anger, hope and even humor. This book is a "must read" for anyone living with the challenges of a disability or chronic illness, or anyone loving a person with a chronic illness or disability.

I would advise the person and the family of the person with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn. When you become able to read, that is. I found that I could not read anything at first. Partly because of denial and partly because I was suddenly pluncked down in an alien world, much like the world I had always lived in, just considerably taller. The simplest things I had done before my SCI became incredibly difficult, if they were possible at all. My mind, body and emotions were in such shock that I could not read anything. The information which was given to me became impossible to understand. I didn't ever think that I would just get up and walk, although my dreams were (and still are) full of running, climbing and even flying. I was dealing with pain that cannot be discribed and I got remarkably little help with it. Until my constant pain was somewhat under control, I didn't plan, for the future or even for the next moment.

The idea of having some kind of normal life was not even a consideration for me. Just breathing and existing; in an odd sort of way a kind of Zen "being in the moment," was all I could achieve. And it was NOT a form of enlightenment; on the contrary, it was an "indarkenment."

So I might not recommend this book for the newly injured. It is possible that it would not make sense, even if the newly injured person were able to read. For someone who is past that first shock and confusion, though, this could be very helpful. It is clear in pointing out that there are as many different people with a SCI as there are people without one. Very clear and helpful in pointing out the main directions which are still available for people with a SCI. Get this book for someone you love, but don't push it. Just make sure it is available and, when the person is really ready, it will be there for them.

I am happy to recommend this book to anyone who wishes to gain insight into the daily, lifelong challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities. It is a book which educates without slapping those of us without obvious disabilities in the face using the "you can't possibly understand how it is for me" method of "enlightenment." Instead it allows the reader to peer through a window into Ms. Linton's life, to develop an understanding of the many barriers and related challenges she and others with similar disabilities face related to what most people take for granted: traveling freely throughout one's environment, gaining an education, dancing, making love, making a life. The book educates by engaging the reader in the journey Ms. Linton has taken from her early days as an activist for peace to her later days as an advocate for equality.

This is a beautiful book that I couldn't put down once I started reading. Linton's account of her entry into the world of the disabled and her gradual movement toward activism answers questions I've always been afraid to ask. Besides being funny, angry, compassionate, frank, and always interesting--she's a wonderful storyteller. The book reads like a great novel. It's as powerful as James McBride's memoir, The Color of Water, and should become a classic. Read it and you'll see why.

I innocently picked up this book from the table at a relative's house, read the first page and could not put it down. The story of Simi Linton's internal and external struggles and revelations in a new world are presented in an effective understated tone that treats the reader as a partner in the adventure. Along the way we get to examine our own attitudes about disability. The book is so well written and real that I feel that I have been taken for that 'ride' the little girl asked about (you have to read the book).

The text on the back of the book:

I'm Augie Lloyd and I feel like I'm eighteen going on ninety. I've always been impatient with people who aren't as smart as me. But the truth is that's just for show. In actuality, I'm scared to death. With two professor parents, it's no wonder I've exercised my mind a lot. But my body? Forget it. None of the guys from school came near me--and I'd never even had a date.

Enter Sam Feldman. He's a gorgeous former athlete from California. His parents are incredibly rich and he used to have everything--even an equally gorgeous girlfriend. But an awful car accident put him in a wheelchair. Now he's at my school in New York City and I'm tutoring him...

So here we are, the unlikeliest duo in the history of the world. Al of a sudden I don't know who I am or what I want. No one ever told me love would be like this...

This was great...I'd recommend it for anyone aged 12+. Well written, with a sensitive approach to disability and sexuality. Not a normal teen sort of book. 6 stars!

I read this book for the first time when I was seventeen. I'm 31 and I still read it from time to time. During the era of cheesy Sweet Valley High, this book was a refreshing alternative.

I could relate to Augie, the intellectual teen who didn't fit in with the fashion conscious Barbie dolls at her school. I like the way the book dealt with teenage sexuality and showed that things like mastrubation and homosexuality (Augustine's best friend, Claudia was a lesbian)were perfectly normal.

Augie's boyfriend, Sam was also portrayed as a normal teen, who happened to be disabled in an unfortunate accident. His body was impaired, but his mind was still strong and he felt love, lust, and anger just like any able-bodied teen.

The characters were multidimentional and that's what keeps me coming back to it. I'd give it a few more stars if I could.

Norma Klein Brings out the truth about first romances, the troubles of growing up, the fears of going off to college, exercising your mind more than your body, and taking in the truth about something you have to live with for the rest of your life. The book is about a young lady named Augie Lloyed who falls in love with Sam Feldman, a rich, gorgeous former athlete from California, who has been put into a wheelchair because of a car accident in California.

I personally love this book because a lot of subjects like sex, or leaving home, and friends being gay are talked about openly and freely. These subjects are hard for some people to talk about openly because some of your peers will think differently of you since now they know you're gay or you had sex with this one person. Also Norma Klein shows true meaning in teenage life. I would give this more than five stars!

I watched Katie Couric today, January 16, 2001, on NBC at 8:00 am news talkng about ADD and ADHD. It broght a shadow of sadness in me when I saw some of those children under Ritalin going through unlimited struggle to lead a normal life and I decided to write this article. Most people do not know that their children suffer from ADD due to food and environmental allergies. If they stayed away from allergens, they may not have to be depending on Ritalin to live.
A friend gave me this book "SAy Goodbye To ADD and ADHD" by Dr. Devi S. Nambudripad. I stayed whole night and read the book. Tears began rolling down my cheeks as I was getting to the end of the book. After all, there is cure for my child's problem! Immediately I made an appointment for my child. Yes, he took almost two years' of NAET. But he is absolutely free of ADD today. Thank You Dr. Devi, for creating NAET. We owe our lives to you. This book will show the reader to make your or your child's journey easy if you suffer from ADD or ADHD. I like to inform parents of other children with ADHD that it is worth reading this book if you have someone woith ADD. Whenever I see articles and negatives comments written on ADD/ADHD saying that it is an incurable disorder and/ or one has to be on medication forever, etc, my heart hurts. When I see many ADD children suffer from the pangs of this illness, and when they end up being ADD adults and lead miserable lives as adults (I know many of them in my circle: school, college, friends, etc.), I feel the urge to shout out to them that "you don't have to live with ADD or ADHD. You have a way out within your reach. If there is a need, there is a way. It is true. Just read this book. Your life will change. You need to get NAET treatments and you won't be the same again." NAET has transformed my child into a normal human being. I am sure if these parents found NAET, many of their children could become normal too. Children are our future. If we could help our children get healthy, we would have a healthy future.

I

My son was on Ritalin for over three years. After about the 12th treatment by the NAET practitioner, he told us he didn't want to take the ritalin any more. He just graduated from High School with honors, sans ritalin.

This book was a great help in convincing his mother to allow him to be treated. For my story, see my review under Say Goodbye to Illness.

NAET works.

This is a great book to help children with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, autism, etc. I have seen some dramatic changes happen in children with these disorders in Dr. Devi's office. These NAET treatments work well on these children. Because they all have the same common problem: ALLERGIES.

This book gives good description about the signs and symptoms of ADD and ADHD. According to Dr. Devi, the cause of ADD and ADHD disorder is "ALLERGIES." There are many self-help tips given in this book for the parents to help their children. Overall this is a very useful book for the parents. I highly recommend this book if you have a child with ADD or ADHD.

The book hits the problem on the head, conventional thinking on this suject has been "dope'm and forget about it".
Dr. Devi as she is called should get a nobel prize for her work in this field and on allergies.

I think this is one of the best books I ever read. I compare it with Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows it is so good. How he struggles with his family and becomes a great baseball player.

This is an elegant and haunting depiction of adolescence. I came across this book while browsing... and was stuck by its cover. I expected a lighthearted book about little league baseball. I discovered something much greater. This story and these characters have strayed with me for weeks. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Johnston's work.

Tex gets something quite different for the summer when instead of spending the time with his father and his new girlfriend, he lands in the lap of his mother and her new family. Tex's friendship with his new stepfather is uncertain, until a common connection in baseball introduces him to a new world and brings new family ties. Just as all seems to be coming together, Tex makes a discovery which will again change his family's life. Realistic, involving fiction.

I am a fifth grade teacher and am always on the lookout for new books to challenge students. I picked up this novel and looked at the jacket. It seemed innocent enough for a fifth grader. Upon reading it I felt that the subject matter was far to advanced for my classroom. I believe that the seventh grade might be a better spot for this novel.

The book itself was very engaging. The author uses baseball as a venue for healing. I think that Mr. Johnson has quite a future ahead of him.