(dis) Ability [Paperback]

Linda Lee Ratto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

UPDATE: (dis)ABILITY, by Linda Lee Ratto, Ed.M. is a Two-Book Volume that includes both COPING books' collections of young people’s stories about living and working well through disability plus a color section of Paralympic athlete competition photos by international photo-artist Ian Robert Mari! (The two books included were on the NY Public Library's Best Books List for three years running.)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Since 1929, NY Librarians assess award-winning books. The sibling COPING title, contained in dis-ABILITY, awarded BEST BOOKS: 1993, 1994, 1995. -- New York Public Library's

From the Publisher

PREFACE - OVERVIEW of the paperback, 2-volume text

"In the fifteen years since the first edition of these two books, now in a revised two-in-one paperback volume, there have been a lot of changes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has fostered major shifts in our society, culture and within organizations, right down to our professional and personal terminology.

Change Highlights:

1. The word ‘disability’ has replaced words such as ‘handicapped’, ‘physically challenged’ and other definitive words.

2. The Easter Seals Society helped promote the now mainstream practice of describing folks in print and verbally as PERSON FIRST. That is, the now appropriate way to describe anyone with a disability or difference is to state his or her name first, followed by descriptors. For example: Paul has a hearing difference or Sarah uses a wheelchair, rather than the blind kid. This revised two-volume edition takes all respectful and customary word usage into account.

3. Our daughter vied for the USA Paralympic Swim Team in 1995 and 1996. She was 13th in the world for her butterfly stroke and missed the 12-member USA Team by one. The USA Swim Coach, Mr.Mark Ponzillo appointed Courtney Student Assistant Coach. She had the privelaged poolside rank throughout the 1996 Atlanta Paralympiad. The photographs in this revised edition are of those precious Games. Mind- Body – Spirit – was the theme and Blaze, the Paralympic Mascot for the 1996 Event, represented the "Triumph of the Human Spirit" slogan in all his "BLAZE of Colors" ! See photo section for more.

4. The two books included here won a place on the New York Public Library’s BEST BOOKS Lists, several years running. This list is the product of hundred of titles reviewed for their educational and informational benefit to readers. I am very proud of this honor and thank everyone who read my books with such favor.

5. In my travels worldwide as a guest professor and speaker on a variety of education, rehabilitation and medical team issues, I have shared my family’s personal and my own professional experiences. My work is based in these two worlds. I have considerable education training and now close to thirty years experience in the medical rehab field. Some have criticized these books within as light-hearted or not getting to the deep and complex issues at hand. This collection of information and advice is shared as practical application of ‘life-tips’ on how to live well. Please read the PURPOSE Section for more details to address these concerns.

6. Our children have grown into highly productive and fulfilled adults. Courtney, graduated 8th in her high school class and tops in her Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) University study, is a chemical engineer and wears a highly advanced myoelectronic, five-fingered hand. She is engaged to her long-time best friend and fellow "ChemE" Mike and will marry later this year. Eric, our middle child and first son will graduate from the University of Georgia in Business Finance. And Ryan, our youngest, is a certified Emergency Medical Technitian (EMT ) and is in his third year at Georgia Tech as a pre-med student, set to study emergency surgery.

Amid the massive changes in our society in the past fifteen years, my husband and I have stayed true to our conviction that parenting is the most important job in the world. We are steadfast that parents’ main job is to help our children grow to be practically-minded, competent, independent, and well-rounded, productive adults. From Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ work to the Paralympics, we are proud to say our children know how to weather the storms that life throws our way.

It is my hope that you read this edition to find out how you and yours might live well through and with disability. These books are written from two points-of-view: the person with the disability and the siblings affected by the disability. Both viewpoints are family concerns, but are effective medical professionals’ concerns as well. May you see a pathway on which to walk that makes perfect sense for your and yours. Try reading sections or stories aloud together, to capture the vitality and spirit of every young person showcased. In this third decade of my lifework, the practical suggestions in this volume are tried and remain true, no matter what year they were written or revised!"

Linda Lee Ratto, Ed.M.
Atlanta, Georgia
January 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: POWER Press (April 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0974850829
• ISBN-13: 978-0974850825
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

More About the Author

Linda Lee Ratto, B.S., Ed.M.

Linda Lee Ratto, EdM, is an award-winning, multi-book author, former classroom teacher, private school principal, and nonprofit Executive Director, and has opened schools in South Africa and across the USA. She is pictured here in Arezzo, Italy, in an Italian/English class teaching children how to make their dreams come true. Linda's book , CD and teacher's guide: Where Dreams Come True are translated in Azeri (Turkish-Russian) and are required reading in every fourth grade class across the post-soviet, Middle Eastern country, the Republic of Azerbaijan; 200,000 copies sold and donated to date. Italian, Polish, Spanish, and French editions are in process.

Linda just completed ten years as NYTimes best selling author Neale Donald Walsch's Education Director and is now focusing on her 14 other books for youth and adults. Her books span a variety of life-skills and wellness topics. She serves humanity as a full time consultant, leadership trainer and speaker for families, schools, rehab, and medical centers and universities. Linda is a managing parter in Civil Services, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, specializing in leadership training and management consulting for leaders in systems across the globe.

Linda thrives on both one-on-one and group time on radio and internet shows, specializing in how to cope and live well with and through change for youth, their parents/caregivers/teachers, as well as, adults in changing business environs. She is a state certified Trainer of Trainers and can accredit customized courses to meet your professional accreditation needs. For more: www.LindaLeeRatto.com and www.CivilServices.us