Embracing the Sky: Poems Beyond Disability [Paperback]

Craig Romkema (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843107287 | ISBN-13: 978-1843107286 | Publication Date: September 15, 2002 | Edition: 1

In this collection of poems, Craig Romkema describes the daily journey of an individual whose body is encumbered with the symptoms of autism and cerebral palsy, but whose mind and spirit are relatively unaffected. Forcing the barriers aside momentarily, he shares his life experience, offering insights into a life beyond disability. Writing of his hopes, fears, and aspirations, as well as his everyday reality, his poetry will speak in particular to others on the autism spectrum, their families, and those who work with them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Craig Romkema lives with his family in a log house in the Midwest. He types his poems on a computer, with physical support to stabilize his body. After graduating from high school with honors, Craig spent a year writing, and is now attending college part-time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (September 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107287
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107286
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #784,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Law > Specialties > Disability

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Truth, November 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Embracing the Sky: Poems Beyond Disability (Paperback)

Being familiar with Craig and his family, I can validate that the words in these poems are straight from his experience and his heart. This gifted young man has gone from elementary school, junior high, high school, and on into college with a number of different aides to help him transfer his words from his mind onto paper with varying degrees of assistance. He now does much of his work with little to no physical support. His teachers and professors will verify the quality and authenticity of his work. One need only watch as he ponders and edits his exams and essays to realize that this individual has a highly active and intelligent mind, and that his aides are only providing the assistance his body needs in order to facilitate movement (similar to a Parkinsonian movement disorder).
Craig's poems about life with autism and cerebral palsy brought to light many struggles and issues his parents and aides were unaware of, and revealed the person trapped inside the disabled body. Craig has a unique personality with thoughts, insights, and ideas that those around him would not have imagined. While he may bring you to tears, Craig can also make you laugh, reflect, hope, and become angry--a sign of a truly gifted writer. His poems are alive, rich, genuine, and his own.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Isolation and connection are universal experiences, September 20, 2003

By 

Moria Merriweather (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embracing the Sky: Poems Beyond Disability (Paperback)

Craig's book of beautiful poems includes themes about both isolation, and coming into contact from isolation --- and how both of these feel. Sometimes the isolation is intense, and sometimes the contact is a shocking contrast. While his situation is not universal, I think these themes are universal human experiences, in one degree or another. In reading the book we get to celebrate Craig's experience of coming out into contact and community, and his staying in contact, even though it is sometimes painful. I like the prose writing at the end of the book as much as any of the poems. I admire Craig's kindness and fierce motivation to stay in contact, and his desire to help others through sharing his experiences and perspective.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Person Within...The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, November 30, 2003

By 

ERussell (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embracing the Sky: Poems Beyond Disability (Paperback)

As the mother of a young ASD child, this wonderful book of thoughtful (and yes sometimes painful) poems gives insight into the world of what it must be like for a lot of children that cannot verbalize expressively. Craig's willingness to share the good, the bad and the ugly is comforting to me and it does give me hope that there is a good chance that my child will, someday, be able to let me know the "Person He Is Within"...the good, the bad and the ugly of what he is/was feeling and what it must be like to live with a disease that would challenge even the heartiest of souls.