Christopher De Vinck's moving account of his life with his brother made a deep impression on the hearts and minds of Americans. Due to a tragedy at birth, Oliver de Vinck was born severely handicapped—blind, mute, crippled, helpless. Despite the doctors' bleak prognosis, his loving parents took him home, where they and their children cared for him. He lived for thirty-three years.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
When de Vinck's appreciation of his handicapped brother Oliver appeared in the Wall Street Journal, it resonated across America. His book describes the widespread response to the articlefrom the White House to families of handicapped persons. Although Oliver might have been considered a "vegetable" by some, de Vinck vividly conveys the enormous impact his brain-damaged brother had on him and his family during his 32 years of life. Included also are stories of three other families also enriched by similarly handicapped children. Particularly affecting is the eulogy for Oliver given by a Catholic priest, a friend of the family. De Vinck, who teaches at a New Jersey high school, offers inspiration and support in facing the mystery of human suffering.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From the Author
Christopher de Vinck is the award-winning author of Simple Wonders, The Power of the Powerless, Only the Heart Knows How to Find Them, Songs of Innocence and Experience, and Augusta and Trab. He is a regular feature writer in Reader’s Digest, Guideposts, and the New York Times. He lives with his wife, Roe, and their three children, David, Karen, and Michael, in Pompton Plains, New Jersey
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By annie
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
If you have ever wondered why God allows people to be born with handicaps of any type, read this book. Oliver was born blind, mute, physically and mentally handicapped, yet his life had a greater impact on more people than many of us who are "normal" can ever hope to have. This book reminds us of the value of life and is very inspiring. I found it most touching that Ronald Reagan wrote to Mr. DeVinck about the power of his powerless brother and now former President Reagan is also one of the powerless due to Alzheimer's. I would highly recommend that you read this book. I also recommend Harold Kushner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People."
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I want to let anyone know that is interested in this book to buy it. I first read this book about 8 years ago, and have made a point to read it at least once a year. It has a way of reminding me what is important in life, and what is real. Read this book and you will never be the same! I have given my copy to anyone that will read it, it is good for young teens and up!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Thank you, Chris de Vinck, for sharing your journey of love with Oliver. Your book has been an inspiration and guideline since 1984 in our choice to care for and nurture our own litle Oliver, Gregory David. Although he died recently, it gave us courage and strength to know that someone else has been where we have. He gave us a vision of life that transcends the life we knew before his birth. It's all about love. It's ALL about love. You will always remain in our prayers for writing this little portrait of the gift of knowing someonewho has nothing to give but love.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Melissa
Format:Paperback
This book has tremendously affected the way I view severely handicapped persons. I am completing a master's degree in special education and a friend of mine sent me a copy so that we could discuss it later. I thoroughly enjoyed re-discovering why God allows us to get to know and love people who seem powerless without our help. It is truly we who are ministered to (helped). Thank you Lord for giving the DeVincks, Oliver, for a short time on this earth. I am looking forward to meeting him in the future.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Gigi
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Honestly, this is the best book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It sent me through a whirlwind of emotion, discovery, and affirmation. I cried through the whole book, sobbed even. The messages of human value, compassion, love, and hope are so inspiring and real. Each story is artfully tied into de Vinck's goal of writing about life and purpose. This is a book for everyone. I couldn't recommend a book more strongly than this one. It's astonishing really, pain is part of the process.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By mom of HoPE
Format:Paperback
I was 6 months pregnant with my first child when I received a prenatal diagnosis of a potentially fatal and severe brain malformation for my unborn son. On the slim chance that he would be born alive, I was warned that he would have severe cognitive impairments, would never walk, and would never talk.
Within a week following that diagnosis, I was given "The Power of the Powerless" by the father of a five year old child living with the same diagnosis as my unborn son. The story of Oliver and Christopher de Vinck helped me to find hope for my child and the deep impact that he would have on my life, and the lives of others.
My son is now 3 years old, and all of those warnings from my doctor came true. My dear son cannot walk or talk, and he is severely impaired; however, just like Oliver, he is touching lives, stirring emotions, and bringing meaning to the lives of those who are willing to see the power of the powerless.
Within a week following that diagnosis, I was given "The Power of the Powerless" by the father of a five year old child living with the same diagnosis as my unborn son. The story of Oliver and Christopher de Vinck helped me to find hope for my child and the deep impact that he would have on my life, and the lives of others.
My son is now 3 years old, and all of those warnings from my doctor came true. My dear son cannot walk or talk, and he is severely impaired; however, just like Oliver, he is touching lives, stirring emotions, and bringing meaning to the lives of those who are willing to see the power of the powerless.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In the early 1990's, Christopher De Vinck--an unknown author--wrote a short tribute to his handicapped brother Oliver. A friend suggested he have it published, so De Vinck crossed his fingers and sent it to the Wall Street Journal. The Journal published it, and the story resonated across America. People showered De Vinck with letters. He decided to write a book featuring the original story intermingled with the letters he received.
It is first a story of personalization: these typical American families were scarcely cognizant of the weak, handicapped, and needy in the world until they were unexpectedly thrust (through all variety of accidents and medical situations) into the thick of caring for them. Then it becomes a story of unlocking the love & compassion within all of us. Of revealing who we are, and who we can become. As one contributor in the book put it, "I, like my Father, could have been a shallow, hard, demanding, domineeering person. We could have been impervious to people's hurts and pains, but Paul brought a dimension into my father's life, into my life, which has given us an extraordinary balance." This is one of those books with lifechanging potential that will put everything back into perspective.
Highly Recommended.
It is first a story of personalization: these typical American families were scarcely cognizant of the weak, handicapped, and needy in the world until they were unexpectedly thrust (through all variety of accidents and medical situations) into the thick of caring for them. Then it becomes a story of unlocking the love & compassion within all of us. Of revealing who we are, and who we can become. As one contributor in the book put it, "I, like my Father, could have been a shallow, hard, demanding, domineeering person. We could have been impervious to people's hurts and pains, but Paul brought a dimension into my father's life, into my life, which has given us an extraordinary balance." This is one of those books with lifechanging potential that will put everything back into perspective.
Highly Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bookworm
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of those books that can cause a dramatic change in perspective for some people; you will never view a mentally and physically challenged person in the same way again. It confirms the wisdom that God has a purpose for us all, and is written with great tenderness and intelligence by Mr. DeVinck.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Power Of The Powerless: A Brothers Legacy Of Love
I have purchased at least nine copies of this book over the years. alway keeping one for myself and giving the others away. It is good reading again and again.
Published 11 months ago by martha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart Warmed!
A moving, wonderful reminder of how much we need the meek and powerless to teach us... I read this in one sitting and was deeply touched... Read more
Published 15 months ago by sonbums
3.0 out of 5 stars
cheap book ok
I wanted a cheap copy of a book that I had heard about. I didn't plan on keeping the book. I just wanted to read it. Read more
Published on April 17, 2011 by 704
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE POWER OF THE POWERLESS
I ORDERED THIS BOOK FOR A FRIEND. YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE READY FOR A TEAR JERKER BECAUSE IT IS A VERY TOUCHING BOOK, ESPECIALLY FOR ONE WHO HAS BEEN THRU THIS EXPERIANCE. Read more
Published on November 23, 2008 by GRANANS
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Power of the Powerless by Christopher de Vinck
In living with someone with a disability, the hardship is obvious. The reverse side of this life, as the author describes from his own experience, is the beauty of God's face, His... Read more
Published on July 13, 2008 by Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!
This book is so perfect for anyone, but especially someone who has a disabled person in their life. It is touching and beautiful... Read more
Published on November 29, 2007 by S. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful testimony to the power of love
The Power of the Powerless is a beautiful testimony to the power of love. It includes true stories of four individuals whom society would consider to be disabled and shows how they... Read more
Published on October 10, 2007 by Madeline P. Nugent
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Powerful Powerless
My daughter is Special Needs and this book is so heart warming. It is always a pleasure to read that other people see the love and joy that I find in my daughter's eyes in others. Read more
Published on June 18, 2007 by B. Hammonds
4.0 out of 5 stars
The value of suffering
To me this is a story about the value of suffering. I wish I could have given this book four and half stars. Read more
Published on December 20, 2005 by M. Kneusel
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