No comments about Threading the Snail: My Journey Through Deafness.

No comments about The Mountain of Dreams: ****'s Adventure - Book 1.

1 comments about Cover Girl Uncovered: A Woman's Journey.

1. this book provides insights into the life of beautiful woman on the outside and a suffering one inside. it's interesting because many times one has a pre-conceived notion that models are a little hollow in the head. and their beauty is only physical. not true. the book delves into this woman's struggles in life, how she is treated by others and in the end where she is today and the lessons she's learned. definitely worth a read. it's a quick read.

No comments about Because of Love.

No comments about The Quarterback Who Almost Wasn't.

2 comments about A Toehold on Life.

1. A Toehold on Life is the absorbing and remarkable life story Mary Wilson, a woman who triumphed over a series of personal and physical hardships. These hardships would have been hard for anyone to overcome, and Mary had the added disadvantage of having to do it without arms. The book follows Mary's life from a happy childhood in which her armlessness since birth is readily accepted by her loving family, siblings and playmates, through several difficult marriages that tested every ounce of her courage, self-sufficiency, and grit, and finally through two extremely happy marriages, which returned the kind of love and support she had given to others her entire life. The style of writing is well-suited to the kind of life lived by Mary -- honest, direct, and free from any sense of pity or maudlin sentimentality. Needless to say, Mary's life story is extremely inspirational in terms of showing what can be gained by having a positive attitude, ingenuity and courage -- courage in putting oneself "out there" in a "take me as I am" statement as Mary pursued her everyday activities as a Marimba-playing musician, salesperson, store owner, homemaker and mother, and childcare professional, to name a few. I recommend this book highly as an interesting read for anyone who is interested in learning about the variety of experiences possible in the the family of man, regardless of whether or not the subject is disabled or able-bodied.



2. Mary Wilson's story is one of perserverance and inspiration. Born without arms, she never saw herself as handicapped, but as a "normal armless person." She's one amazing woman. I'm proud to say I've known her for over 20 years and consider her my "surrogate" mom.

   While I knew much of her story from countless mornings at her kitchen counter, there were certain stories that she chose not to share over the coffee cups. This book filled in the details for me and made me even more aware of her triumph and spirit.

   Morton's writing style is often choppy and mostly narrative. It would have been a stronger story with more quotes from the loved ones in Mary's life, or recollections from Mary herself. Even with that minor distraction, I really enjoyed reading the story of a woman who never gave up.

No comments about Zion: Champion for God.

3 comments about A Forever Family.

1. As an adoptions professional I am continually searching for books that reflect the experience of children who are adopted after they have been removed from birth parents. Many of these children are between the ages of six and ten when adopted. Kids I have shared this book with have not wanted to give it back. It is a very useful tool in helping children understand adoption. Jennifer's journey from instability to having a forever family is not sugar coated but presents what is true for the majority of adopted children. I am very disappointed that it is out of print. I think this is a great loss for our kids.



2. This story is perfect for children who were adopted, particularly those adopted at an older age. The simple text is accompanied by photographs of the co-author, Jenny Jordan-Wong, who was adopted in the early 1990s at the age of eight.

   Her life with her Mom and Dad, an inter-racial couple, is normal and loving in every way. Jenny plays and runs and reads like other kids. (She especially likes Nany Drew.) She takes piano lessons and plays Hula Hoop.

   But she is different from other friends who want to know what it was like to be adopted. She explains that her biological parents had a lot of problems and could not take care of her. So when she was three, she moved to a foster family, a temporary family who "take care of you until you are adopted." Of course, Jenny knows that not everyone gets adopted.

   Jenny has pictures of her second foster Mom and Dad, who took her in when she was 6. She still visits them, as she does the social workers who helped find her parents.

   "It was scary meeting my new mom and dad," she writes. But after visiting on several weekends with her family, "We knew we wanted to be a family. They wanted to adopt me and I wanted to live with them. We would become a forever family."

   The story also includes photos of the court session which made the adoption final and of Jenny's extended family--aunts, uncles, cousins, and her friends.

   This book helps kids realize that others have been through the same thing, that new things take some getting used to, and that questions are okay. Alyssa A. Lappen




3. There is such a need for books that are applicable to families that adopt children beyond infancy. It is a shame that this is out of print. I was able to find it at the library, though.

1 comments about Hell on Wheels: The Jean Starnes Story.

1. Since I've had the pleasure of meeting the author, I was impressed with her vivid descriptions of life on wheels. Her handicap of cerebral palsy presented her with many challenges, but not obstacles ... her faithful determination continually rises to the occasion ... yes, an inspiration to be your best ... yet keep a sense of humor.

1 comments about Shifting Ground.

1. In her recent autobiography, "Shifting Ground," Ruth McVeigh, documents the joy and the heartbreak of being married to an undiagnosed, unmedicated bipolar for 22 years.
   
   The 22 years weren't all bad. Ruth and Derry truly loved - and probably still love - each other despite the turmoil. Their life together was a whirlwind of adventure as they traveled to Guyana for Derry's job as a forester, or to Ireland on vacation. They always managed to find wonderful places to live - Ruth describes the breathtakingly beautiful Canadian scenery so well, you'll feel that you've been there.
   
   But the beauty was often overshadowed by Derry's depressions and manias. Ruth tells of the irratic behavior and careless decisions that estranged first her children from a previous marriage and then Derry's own children. Knock wood, none of their children have inherited the illness.
   
   The book is fascinating to me for a number of reasons, including the fact that the author founded a popular Canadian folk festival. She even got to meet Phil Ochs, a famous folk musician who happened to be bipolar! The list of musicians she mentions meeting at various points in the book is a veritable who's who in folk music.
   
   All-in-all, "Shifting Ground" was an excellent look into the lives and relationships in a family affected by one member's bipolar disorder. I recommend that every spouse of a bipolar read this book. You'll see your family there, and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes Ruth and Derry made. I hope that any bipolar who reads the book "gets" the cautionary tale contained in it; namely, that bipolar disorder is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. If we misbehave, if we are abusive or irresponsible, the people who love us *will* be hurt, and quite possibly driven away.
   
   I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.