A Different Kind of Perfect Writings by Parents on Raising a Child with Special Needs

by DOWLING, CINDY

• ISBN13: 9781590303078
• ISBN10: 1590303075
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-09-12
• Publisher: Trumpeter

Summary

Every parent dreams of having a happy, healthy child. What happens when these dreams are shattered by a physical or cognitive disability? A Different Kind of Perfect offers comfort, consolation, and wisdom from parents who have been thereand are finding their way through. The writings collected here are grouped into chapters reflecting the progressive stages of many parents' emotional journeys, starting with grief, denial, and anger and moving towards acceptance, empowerment, laughter, and even joy. Each chapter opens with an introduction by Neil Nicoll, a child and family psychologist who specializes in development disorders.

Author Biography

Cindy Dowling is a freelance journalist in Australia and the mother of an autistic child.Bernadette Thomas is a book publisher and has a son with Down syndrome.Neil Nicoll is a child and family psychologist in private practice in Sydney specializing in developmental disorders.

Table of Contents

PREFACE
Cindy Dowling	xi
Grief
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	3	(4)
Everything and Nothing at All
Cindy Dowling	7	(3)
Witnessing
Anna Stewart	10	(4)
Shattered Dreams
Annie Hedberg	14	(4)
Disappointment
Jennifer Beitz	18	(2)
A Blessing or a Nightmare?
Sindoor Desai	20	(4)
Group
Colleen Kunkel	24	(5)
Denial
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	29	(4)
Butt Out of Our Business
Paddy Ryan	33	(4)
Grandma Knows Best
Paula Ickes	37	(3)
To Sleep, Perchance to Sleep
Doreen Bonnett	40	(5)
Anger
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	45	(5)
Why Should It Matter?
Sherrie Ball	50	(4)
Willing to Learn
Kathy Winters	54	(3)
The Why of It
Michelle Portman	57	(4)
A "Perfect" Family
Nancy Archer	61	(4)
Why Me?
Raylene Smith	65	(2)
Difficult Journeys
Michelle Markle	67	(6)
Depression
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	73	(4)
Don't Always Trust the "Experts"
Margaret Henc	77	(4)
Not Enough Time
Sally Long	81	(3)
A Line Drawn in the Sand
Dede Dankelson	84	(3)
The Kaleidoscope of Our Life
Faith Sandles	87	(6)
Acceptance
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	93	(4)
Dance Recitals Are Still Possible
Becky Whidden Huff	97	(3)
I Believe in Miracles
Dawn Proudlove	100	(2)
Making the Right Choices
Don Ward	102	(3)
Four Boys, No Waiting
Sandra Miller	105	(3)
Blessed
Donna Tack	108	(3)
A Baby No Different, So Different
Shona Parekh	111	(6)
Empowerment
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	117	(5)
Evolution of a Soul
Rebecca Riggs	122	(3)
Just Ashlyn and Me...Always Has Been
Jessica Bridges	125	(3)
Learn to Be Still
Pam Gross	128	(3)
Discovering Our Potential
Tara Demers	131	(3)
Never Staying Quiet
Tina Rivenbark	134	(7)
Marriage, Family, and Friends
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	141	(5)
We Take Nothing for Granted
Carolyn Fennell	146	(3)
What People Say...
Sharon Perera	149	(4)
Pride, Love, and a Whole Lot to Be Learned
Lisa Depperman	153	(3)
Much to Be Thankful For
Barbara Bucknam	156	(3)
OPOs—Other People's Opinions
Gracie Mackay	159	(3)
On Becoming a Parent
Andrea Connell	162	(7)
Love and Joy
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	169	(3)
The Woman in the Mirror
Cheryl Veenstra	172	(3)
He Makes Me Feel Very Proud
Maria Letizia	175	(3)
Holding Back the Tears
Judy Ashberg	178	(3)
When There Are No Words
Zan L. Liccione	181	(3)
Happiness Wears a Cheesy Grin
Rose-Mary Gower	184	(3)
Outside of the Norm
Rich Tepper	187	(2)
A Gift of Lessons
Katherine Krishnan	189	(6)
Spirituality
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	195	(4)
Something Much Bigger Than All of Us
Claudia Enright	199	(4)
The Making of an Honest Woman
Natalie Hale	203	(3)
Butterfly Wings
Michelle Chrzczonowicz	206	(5)
She's Worthy of a Dream Come True
Tony Phillips	211	(3)
To Love and Be Loved
Kimberly Nava	214	(7)
Laughter
Introduction
Neil Nicoll	221	(3)
I'm in the Army Now
Ellen Forrest	224	(4)
Dealing with the Tragedy of HB Syndrome
Rick Hodges	228	(3)
What's Your Name?
Bernadette Thomas	231	(4)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	235	(2)
APPENDIX: HOW SOME PARENTS UNWIND	237	(10)
AUTHORS' NOTES	247	(2)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	249	(2)
RECOMMENDED READING	251	(2)
RESOURCES	253	(2)
INDEX	255