Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones [Hardcover]

Jeanne McDermott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

'A period of grace usually accompanies the birth of a child. For a fleeting and sacred whisper of time, joy swaddles a new-born so tightly that those who love the child refuse to see or imagine that he is anything but perfect', observes Jeanne McDermott. But when McDermott's second son, Nathaniel, is born with Apert syndrome - a craniofacial condition so rare that it occurs in 1 out of 100,000 births - there is no denying he looks different. He has a tall head, bulging brow, mitten fingers, and webbed toes. McDermott's intelligent and poignant memoir offers an intimate look at how her ideas of perfection and wholeness were turned upside down. It reveals much more than the countless visits and consultations with doctors and several harrowing surgeries that Nate needs in infancy. As an experienced sincere journalist and the mother of a child who is deeply loved but never anticipated or imagined, McDermott explores her circumstances on many levels: Her own and her family's emotional survival; genetic and ethical questions regarding disability; beliefs about beauty; and what it means to be human. McDermott's experience will resonate with other families who have been to the outskirts of normal. She grapples with intense fears about her son's future, reactions to staring, and feelings of isolation and loss. But "Babyface" also speaks to everyone about the transforming powers of love and the breath-taking exaltation of being alive. It's what her heart tells her that is ultimately most rewarding for McDermott. This is a compelling invitation to share in the author's inspiring if 'unsettling knowledge that some of what we most treasure in life are things that we might never choose'. It is an invitation no reader will regret accepting.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1990 science writer McDermott (The Killing Winds: The Menace of Biological Warfare) gave birth to her second child. Although a prenatal amniocentesis had indicated she was carrying another healthy boy (her eldest, Jeremy, was then three), Nathaniel was born with a craniofacial abnormality and webbed fingers and toes (Apert Syndrome). Based on a journal she kept during her baby's first year, this book artfully combines fact and feeling to illuminate how McDermott and her husband, Ted, dealt with the drastically altered circumstances of their lives, and how they struggled to keep Nathaniel and themselves healthy. McDermott describes the crippling anxiety that engulfed her and Ted as Nathaniel underwent four operations in his first year of life--operations intended to make room for his growing brain, to protect his eyes and to improve his impaired respiration. She also explores the effect caring for her son had on her marriage: when the stress of Nathaniel's condition began to take over every aspect of their lives, McDermott and her husband decided they had to carve out time to be alone together. Without that down time, she writes, their relationship might not have survived. She also writes about her agonized response to strangers who stared at or commented on Nathaniel's appearance ("That baby looks like a space alien," she overheard one person say). Nathaniel is now a happy third-grader, comfortable with himself and others, but his struggle isn't over; his condition will probably require more operations. Still, McDermott notes, "the syndrome ceased to be the center of our lives [and] Nathaniel's." This insightful and expressive account will serve as an important resource for families struggling with Apert Syndrome. Agent, Michele Rubin, Writers House. (Sept.)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

With Babyface, Woodbine House hopes not only to reach its established audience"parents of children with special needs"but also an educated general readership. This is the story of Nathaniel, a child born with the rare Apert Syndrome, a craniofascial disorder. McDermott, a science journalist and Nathaniel!s mother, does a wonderful job of describing the turbulent time following the birth of a child with special needs, and the drama in her writing would certainly appeal to a crossover readership. However, McDermott!s scholarly language and difficult analogies might be too much for the already overwhelmed new parents of a special-needs baby, who are often dealing with chaotic emotions and a barrage of information, By sharing her personal experience, McDermott offers helpful information to families of Apert children, but her text is not as comprehensive nor as easy to understand as Hope Charkins!s straightforward and practical Children with Facial Difference (LJ 6/15/96). Refer parents still in the early stages of adjusting to their child!s diagonsis to Charkins!s book; McDermott is more suitable for those who just need a reminder that they are not alone. For larger collections in academic, medical, and public libraries."KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 261 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627151
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627157
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,525,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book--for everyone, October 2, 2000

By 

"pdx_book-lover" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones (Hardcover)

In her book, Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones, McDermott shares her thoughts in a quietly inviting way. She shares her reflections about the issues all parents of children with disabilities confront-fear, staring, "helpful" comments, early intervention, and being different-without anger or bitterness. She uses comparisons to history, science, and everyday occurrences to analyze what she is experiencing.

Her reflections are offered with a peaceful, eloquent, grace rather than scolding societal weaknesses; laced with depth and careful consideration, rather than quick or superficial detail or judgement. They are easy to take in and though she never asks, we are compelled to search our hearts.

McDermott is a mother who is madly in love with her son, and it shows. In fact, Babyface is less a story about a family of a child with Apert Syndrome, than a story of a mother loving her children and learning about life from that perspective. Each chapter begins with a short paragraph written by Nathaniel. They are clearly the thoughts of a young boy and add delight to the book. They are printed in his handwriting adding another dimension to our image of him.

In fact, "Babyface" is a story that transcends the box it may unfortunately be placed in by bookstores: special needs or health care. It is as well-written and compelling as *any* best-selling book offering far more than a perspective of life with a child who has a cranio-facial disorder.

Look for a detailed review in the next issue of "Disability Solutions." (http://www.disabilitysolutions.org)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From one mom to others, August 9, 2001

By 

Candace McCoy (Princeton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones (Hardcover)

I write as the mother of a child with Crouzon Syndrome, which, as the last footnote of this wonderful book will tell you, is "allelic" with Apert's. My daughter Gwendolyn Fyfe was born around the time that Nathaniel Finch was, and it is eerie how similar our experiences were. (We are even Quakers!) I recommend that parents of children with craniofacial syndromes read this book and reread it, prepared to relive and reflect on your own experiences. Warning: this could be painful, and you should probably put some time between the searing experiences of ICUs and operations before you examine your emotions and beliefs by reading this book. "Facing" the situation has given our family a strength and insight into what is really important in this life which we might not otherwise have had. It is clear that it did the same for Jeanne McDermott, and this beautiful book shows how. Parents of children with craniofacial conditions: let's start an on-line book club to discuss it!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BABYFACE - A Witness, November 12, 2000

By 

Deborah Henriksson (Vasteras, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones (Hardcover)

BABYFACE by Jeanne McDermott is a witness to the healing power of love. It is a true story of how people of all ages grow to meet unexpected challenges. Although in this case the challenges arise from the birth of a child with a rare cranialfacial disorder, anyone with the experience of having children and creating a new family constellation will identify with many of the issues that face Jeanne McDermott and her family.

There is nothing superficial about BABYFACE and it reveals no easy answers. Instead, the reader shares a truly three-dimensional experience where the word "miracle" regains its stark significance and a "mystical vision" expands our world.

BABYFACE is a book for anyone with a family, at either end of the generational see-saw, and it will not leave you untouched.