Harnessing the Wind: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and My Son [Paperback]

Shanon McQuown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2005

In a conversation with Anthony'shomebound teacher, we discussed the nuances of maneuvering a sailboat.¿ She explained how she didn't understand thetechnological workings of the boat, but she could just "feel" what she neededto do in order to control the boat.¿ My mind made an immediateconnection to educating a child with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.¿ As with a sailboat, many books and articlescan be read.¿ You can understand thetechnical terms without knowing how you'll respond should a crisis arise.¿ You can't see the wind, you have to feel itand respond to what you feel.¿ Once acrisis does arise, will you freeze up or will you automatically respond.¿ If you respond to your instinct and feelings,more than likely, you will avoid capsizing and ride the waves created by thewind and currents.¿ You keep your eye onthe horizon, waiting for the wind to bring you safely back to land.My son and I have traveled onthis journey with his Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in this same way.¿ We have kept our God-given instinct as ourguide.¿ We sometimes take "water in theboat", but we continue to bail (sometimes frantically) the water back into thesea from which it came.¿ We have hope aswe watch the horizon.¿ We have dreams ofsetting our feet on firm land.¿ No matterwhat, we are committed to traveling this journey together.¿ We are determined to complete our course.In Harnessing the Wind, weshare the physical battles Anthony faced.¿We share the struggles we faced with physicians, family, educators,friends and insurance companies.¿ Weshare these things so others realize that they're not being singled out.¿ We share these things hoping to spare othersthe "stormy seas" we had to struggle through.¿We want to encourage you to continue.¿We also want professionals, friends and family to understand that youcan either become waves to block our passage or harbors for us to replenish ourstrength.¿ The final part of the bookaddresses specific educational needs of these children and ways we have learnedt

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shanon McQuown has worked as a paraprofessional in Special Education for several years. She has had the honor of working with children with Mild and Moderate Mental Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Disturbance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her parents and her son, the inspiration for this book, Anthony. Since Anthony became ill, Shanon has trained as a Special Education Coach through the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC). She was a member of Partners in Policymaking (an organization that trains people to advocate for people with disabilities). Shanon has been a member of her county's Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the past two years. Shanon firmly believes that disabilities place limits on people's lives...but the disability is not THE limit. Her desire is to spare other children from having to journey on the same rough voyage Anthony traveled by raising awareness across the nation. By doing this, the struggles will not seem as if they were in vain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (May 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418439525
• ISBN-13: 978-1418439521
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Sailing Along with Shanon, February 25, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Harnessing the Wind: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and My Son (Paperback)

I have read only excerpts from Shanon McQuown's book, Harnessing the Wind, but what I have read thus far has been compelling. The author takes the reader on her journey through the discovery, diagnosis and treatment of her son's illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Sail along with her as she navigates through the educational and medical storms that she and her son, Anthony must weather. In the end, the writer becomes, not only her son's caregiver and advocate, but transforms herself into an academic reformer so that all children with this often disabling disease have the oppurtunities in school that all are entitled to. Eileen Holderman

5.0 out of 5 stars Harnessing the Wind, February 25, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Harnessing the Wind: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and My Son (Paperback)

This is a very informing book. It really explains what

the problem is and how it can be mistaken by laziness. The child

does have a problem with energy and is not just lazy.

Shanon really explains how the doctors were mistaking the way her child was and just said he was lazy.

I recommend this book to any one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming, February 17, 2006

By 

J. Truesdell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harnessing the Wind: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and My Son (Paperback)

Very detailed and thorough. Whether you have CFS, know someone with CFS or are simply curious about the illness, you will be blown away by the personal accounts and the straight forward facts this book presents. The book sucks you in making it hard to put down. I highly recommend it. Be prepared to laugh and cry.