Customer Reviews

Dinah's Story

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Dinah's Story is not only the story of a remarkable woman but is also the story of a family. To read of this exceptional family is heart-warming, challenging, and humbling. Dinah was born in 1955, and many years later she was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, an unknown disorder, at the time of her birth.

Before reading this book, I knew very little about Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). It would be easy to let PWS define Dinah, but her family knew that many other qualities defined this child. Due to the lack of information about Dinah's condition, it was necessary for her parents to be innovative and persistent. The ingenuity of Loretta Stafford in caring for Dinah in Dinah's early years is remarkable.

Reading Dinah's Story reminded me of special-needs children not only in my community but also throughout our entire country. Dinah's accomplishments will be an inspiration to all who read her story.

Although the book is entitled Dinah's Story, it is also the story of family. The family models compassion, commitment, and unconditional love. These virtues are need by all of us as our stories are lived out in our communities.

...........Loretta Stafford tells the story of her experiences of mothering Dinah, a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Loretta and her family were not willing to accept the doctor's verdict that Dinah would have only a brief life; instead they courageously discovered ways of enriching their lives as well as Dinah's by caring for her in creative, loving ways. Dinah's welfare was always at the forefront of the family's activities and decisions, yet not at the expense of other family members. Faith in God is a resounding theme throughout the book. Now at age 47, Dinah has set the life span record for the person with Prader-Willi Syndrome, and she continutes to live a happy, fulfilling life as she further develops her art skills. Although there were many struggles along the way, perseverance and faith triumphed. Families with any special needs child would benefit from this story and learn that there is always hope.