Customer Reviews

The Best I Can Be: Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome-Effects (Revised) (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book tells the story of a girl who suffers from FAS, and her journey with her adoptive parents towards education and independence. One of the best handbooks I've read on the subject; short, but packed with information, thorough lists of resources, homeschool supplies that worked, etc., and, most valuable of all, a family's perspective on the trials and successes of dealing with this syndrome. Liz, the daughter, was adopted soon after birth, and couldn't stand being touched until nearly her 10th year. Her parents homeschooled her from fourth grade on, after finding that the schools couldn't really give their daughter the help she needed. There are segments written by Liz throughout the book, written in her own hand, about her struggles, difficulties, and successes. This book is hard to find in libraries, but it is, in its own way, as important and valuable as Streissguth's books, and far more immediate and touching. Read this!!

Your book was the missing piece of information for our adopted daughter who's birthmom is an alcoholic. As a nurse and a doctor we were unable to find what was wrong with our daughter-no other professionals we took her to knew what was wrong. Every thing written in this book could have been written about our daughter and if we had gotten this information sooner we would have had a different point of view for her behavior and learning problems. We were not taught about FAS/FAE in nursing/medical school. This information needs to be learned at that level in order to assist with an early diagnosis and life planning for the child to avoid what we went through- 15 different schools in 10 years.

This book is fantastic! It explains Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects, and gives the reader understanding and tools to use to work with people who have FAS/E and also how to love and accept them and appreciate them as they are. I have an adopted son with FAE and when I first realized he had this I was very discouraged because all I had heard about FAS/E was so negative. I didn't know if I would be successful being the mom he needed me to be. This book gave me such insight. It also showed me that some of what I have dealt with with my son is normal and it is okay. It is a book that celebrates life in all its forms -- even the challenging form FAS/E creates. Thank you to Liz and Jodee Kulp for sharing their life with us.

Sometimes just being able to take hope that the one we love so dearly will "have a chance" is the greatest gift that can be given. That's where this story told by a mom and her daughter strikes home. It's a short book for a great story. There are no miracles except those that come from hardwork and the grace of life. But that grace is there. The mom give us good links; the daughter gives us insight -- both are invaluable. It's an inspiring story of the good that can be worked by effort and self understanding. The barriers of biology cannot be made to go away -- but they can be climbed over.

This is a well written account from a child and parent regarding the reality of living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects. Not only is this an important internalization for the practitioner but an important tool for parents and family to work through the acceptance of the profound life altering condition this birth defect manifests. Regardless of your level of education this is an important publication for a devastating condition for parent and child.

Cynthia
Pediatric Therapist

This is a wonderful little book written by a mother and daughter. The daughter has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and this is their journey together, from both of their perspectives, in living with these disabilities. Very insightful and full of parenting tips for others in this situation. Teachers and health care professionals would gain great insight by reading this as well.

As a mother with a soon to be FASD teen, I totally appreciated the support of this read, highly recommended!

My teenage daughter wanted to know more about how her cousins (three with full FAS) saw the world. Clearly understandable and relevant to teens, she thought the book was excellent and full of good information.

This is a great book. Not written by a textbook expert, but written by real-world experts = a FAS child and her mom. People who daily live with the effects of this birth defect. My husband and I both read it and learned practical, tried approaces. Thanks to Liz and her mom!

Awesome..very much to my heart. I have a 14 yr. old grandson with FAS.