Customer Reviews

A Question of David: A Disabled Mother's Journey Through Adoption, Family and Life

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This book is a touching look at motherhood and all of its challenges. As a first time mother, I related to the same feelings of inadequacy, doubt, hope and elation that Denise so poignantly describes. My hat goes off to the Jacobsons who share their aspirations and who serve as an inspiration for all parents and parents to be whether they are disabled or not.

Denise made me both laugh and cry - somethimes at the same time. This is a WONDERFUL book about determination, ingenuity and grit all combined with a non-stop sense of humor. Denise shows us how it is possible for people with severe disabilities to thrive dispite society's limiting attitudes. I loved the book.

The Question of David should be required reading for all adoptive and prospective adoptive parents. Their disabilities notwithstanding, the Jacobsons took on a huge responsibility with unlimited risk by adopting a child thought to have disabilities of his own. I laughed and cried and ached all through the story. As an adoptive parent of a child with ADHD, I found Denise's struggle with day-to-day issues an inspiration. How does she do it? Cheers to the Jacobson's and to David!

I had known the author of this book (Denise Jacobson) acquaintance-wise through Disability advocacy and Employment conferences throughout the years, but did not fully have the pleasure of getting to know her until this past year. We the exchanged books, and both of us were pleasantly surprised how much we had in common, even though our lives are radically different.

On the surface we shared the Cerebral Palsy bond - But in reading Denise's book (The Question of David) I became aware of how deep that bond is, realizing our struggles to overcome so many obstacles and going after our dreams.

One thing that Denise has done was to adopt a child (David) against all odds,and have done so successfully. I remember hearing of Denise and Neil's journey in adopting David when they were going through the process at the time, but truthfully I did not fully appreciate their journey until I read this book.

Denise writes honestly with humor, sarcastic wit, and tremendous passion in the telling of her story. It keeps the story "alive" and wanting more. This book should be read by all professionals in the field of disability, all parents of children with disabilities, and every adult with a disability!! If you ever thought you knew everything there is to know about a person with a disability and that you didn't need any further insight, Denise will prove you wrong and inspire you to open your horizons and take another look at the will to live life to it's fullest and have the courage to do so when we think we might not. So do not question if you should read this book - just do it!!

If I had any disappointments, it was no photos and no sequel...yet.

This was a very heartwarming story. Reading this book gave me insight to Denise. It's truly amazing everything her and Neil went through to adopt David. I thought it would be an "OK" book, but I was wrong. It was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. I reccomend this book for everyone, as everyone will find something in it to relate too.

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. The author does a great job of taking you into her world. This is a must read for anyone with a disability who has ever been told they cannot do something. Also a must read for those without disabilities to see that the abilities of people with disabilities are limitless. I look forward to future books by this talented author.

Intimate, warm, real and absolutely, if sometimes painfully truthful, this is the best adoption story I have read (and I read many). Pulling us into her heart, Denise provides us with the unglamorous, frightful and purging story of how less can certainly become more. Taking a chance on David, this couple wins themselves the badge of passionate parenting.

I'ved never done this before, but I feel compelled to comment on this book. Ever since I heard of the Jacobsen family 9 years ago, they have been my best role models. They truly give me the faith that anything and everything is possible. Denise's tales are so real, thought provoking, and thing I can identify with.

When will the seequel be out?

David Clark

I never considered that I was "saddled" with a brother with cerebral palsy. He was born when I was only 18 months old which created all kinds of psychological challenges and questions for me. I have always loved him and am concerned deeply for his happiness and well-being. My exposure to the community of cerebral palsy citizens, however, was always through the Developmental Centers (where my brother lives) who care for those who cannot be independent. Then I read Denise Jacobson's book, The Question of David.

From the perspective of having a completely dependent brother, I realized that Denise and Neil are not "disabled", simply limited in their physical movements.

Denise's emotional struggle is that of every mother. The difference; she never questioned her or Neil's ability to love or raise a child. Can I say the same for me? Her book is written honestly and VERY candidly and gives us insight into the concerns of the physically challenged and the achievement of "normalcy" in living life and raising a family. OK, I never caught my child's finger in a wheelchair but slammed in a car door DID happen...TWICE.

In my professional life, I am a commercial printer...which involves proofreading every day. This book was printed directly from Denise's manuscript, complete with extra spaces and even a typo. I loved the book more because of this...it was PERFECTLY communicated and PERFECTLY Denise...real, unabridged, unedited! I got to set my professional (and personal) judgements aside and truly LOVE the story.

This book forces us to examine our own challenges and the excuses we make for not meeting those challenges. Growing up with a completely dependent brother, I do not take my physical abilities for granted. That was not the lesson I needed to learn from this book.

I have a friend with hooks instead of hands and he is a fine-art painter.

I have Denise and Neil for friends and they successfully adopted and an INFANT and raised him to manhood!

They leave me and my personal challenges no place to hide.

This is an awesome book about parents with cerebral palsy adopting a child. But it is so much more . Denise's honesty about her day to day life with cerebral palsy is so insightful. By reading her book it opened my mind more to how people living with cp are treated and the effect it has on them . Things I never thought of. I have a son with cp and my eyes have been opened to the consequences that some of my own actions must have had on on him unintentionally . Her book has reminded me its his life not mine and to embrace his cerebral palsy and all the joys and frustrations that come with it. Thank u denise your book has made a difference in my life I hope more people read it !