From the Heart: On Being the Mother of a Child with Special Needs [Paperback]

Jayne D. B. Marsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

In eye-opening narrative based on their parent support group process, nine mothers explore the intense, sometimes painful, emotional terrain of raising a child with special needs. The children who have helped shape the women's lives have a variety of special needs, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADD, and multiple disabilities. The successes, setback, struggles, and joys shared here cover important aspects of daily life: relationships with professional providers, family life, work, school issues, and feelings about the 'self' and closest friends and family members.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here is a book that is comforting for parents, who are reassured that they're not alone; eye-opening for the public..." -- --Library Journal, June 1995

In From the Heart: On Being the Mother of a Child with a Disability, nine mothers explore the intense, sometimes painful, emotional terrain of raising children with special needs in eye-opening narratives developed from their parent support group meetings. The children who shape these women's lives have disabilities that include autism, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome, ADD, and multiple disabilities. From the Heart is organized around several themes: relationships with professionals; family life and school issues; and issues about the "self" and closest friends and family. Their experiences resonate with the common struggles of healing; being heard and understood; coping with life; and dealing with greater emotional intensity than most parents do. In revealing what is most important and most difficult for them, these mothers affirm the experience of other parents like themselves. From the Heart speaks to anyone who may know little about raising a child with special needs -- until they have one and must then forge a strong family unit nonetheless. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Jayne D B Marsh, Editor

Product Details

• Paperback: 149 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1st Woodbine House Ed. edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149794
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149793
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simply Wonderful Book - Is A Must Read!, December 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Heart: On Being the Mother of a Child with Special Needs (Paperback)

I've actually reviewed this book for a journal and now have the chance to do so online. This book is a must read for ALL Professionals that are in the lives of children with special needs! The message that the Moms in this book want every single professional to hear and see is -- LISTEN TO US! WE KNOW OUR CHILDREN BETTER THAN ANYONE! As a parent myself of a child with special needs, I know exactly what the moms are saying. We do NOT want to work against the professionals, we want to work with them! Such a simple, yet complicated message to convey!

If you are a parent with a child with special needs, read this book so that you know you are not alone when you feel you've been treated poorly. If you are a professional, read this book with your eyes and mind wide open. The message is extremely important and it can make a very positive difference in the life of a child!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for anyone dealing with special needs kids!, June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Heart: On Being the Mother of a Child with Special Needs (Paperback)

This book really hit home for me. As a mother of a child with special needs, the stories told by these women validated my feelings, and mirrored some of my personal experiences. The stories range from heart-warming to tear-inducing...but every one rings with honesty. A good read...take some time to ponder this one, then pass it on to your child's doctor, therapist, or teacher.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening Experiance, August 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Heart: On Being the Mother of a Child with Special Needs (Paperback)

I read this book as a project for school, being 15 the idea of motherhood is beyond me. But it touched me how strong the mothers in this are. Their stories tell of experiances, not "how to" which I liked. My heart goes out to all who have children with special needs. God be with you all!