Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child With a Disability (Paperback)

by Donald J. Meyer (Editor) "In February of 1990 my daughter, Jessica, was a happy, healthy seven-month-old, pulling up and walking along the edge of the sofa, smiling a smile..." (more)
Key Phrases: uncommon fathers, New York, Long Island, Uncommon Fathers

Editorial Reviews

Review
"If you work with families, do not pass this up."

Product Description
A compelling collection of essays by fathers who were asked to reflect and write about the life-altering experience of having a child with a disability. Nineteen fathers have taken an introspective and honest look at this deeply emotional subject, offering a seldom-heard perspective on raising children with special needs. This is the first book written for fathers by fathers. Uncommon Fathers should also be helpful to partners, family, friends, and service providers who will appreciate this rare forum and perhaps, learn from what these fathers have to say.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149689
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149687
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #440,531 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful but difficult book to read., December 29, 1998

By A Customer

I can't explain what prompted me to buy this book but I'm glad that I did. The author of each essay has a child with special needs. Some with problems that we can't even imagine having to deal with. Each has taken the time to express how the birth and life of his child has changed his life. These fathers are truly special. I admired each one, not just because they had overcome (or were trying to overcome) enormous obstacles, but because they accepted one of God's children and expressed such love at such trying times. We all think that we could rise to the occasion and parent a child with special needs but these men are doing it and doing it better than I could ever hope to do myself. It's not too often that you read a book written by someone living through the experience who makes no attempt to get credit for what he's done. If you don't mind shedding a tear or two (for joy or sorrow), I recommend it to any mother or father.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sheds light on how disabilities affect families, January 15, 2004

By	loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with a Disability" has been a struggle to read. Finding the right tone for these comments has also proved hard. The book does provide a good but incomplete cross-section about how being the father of a disabled child affects one's life.

The editor, Donald Meyer, allows a number of fathers, most of whom are well-educated and from the higher socioeconomic strata, to share their experiences. Some are moving accounts that clearly depict the frustration, isolation, and sometimes enlightenment associated with parenting a child who is disabled.

Some are down-right irritating laments about a father's broken dreams or lost opportunities.

Regardless, the stories here are important, for they offer insights to parts of the human experience that, unless you are a member of this fraternity, most folks will never understand. Somehow, I wish that there could be both a wider audience for this book so that those in the mainstream might have an inkling of what happens to a family that includes a disabled individual.

I also wish that there were more stories from the blue-collar dads who struggle not only to survive financially but emotionally when their lives are also involuntarily altered by the flaws in our collective gene pool.

I wish also that the reflections here included more advice about how to cope with emotional issues, financial concerns, and long-term planning. My expectations were that those types of topics might be addressed more directly.

Still, the sketches in this book are valuable for anyone because they confirm both how fragile and resilient life really is.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book for fathers, September 4, 2005

By	J. Huff (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was so nice to finally read a book like this for fathers. My wife has read many books on having a child with a disability, and though I've found some of them helpful, this one met specific emotions for me as a father. I recommend this to any father who has a child with special needs...it's very affirming.