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11 reviews for:
Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years with Down Symdrome
Jennifer Graf Groneberg
3.82 AVERAGE
11 reviews for:
Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years with Down Symdrome
Jennifer Graf Groneberg
3.82 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. I don't know if I can be objective in reviewing it (my own child has Down syndrome, and like the author, we were surprised by the diagnosis when she was born, so the story was familiar.)
But I will say that Road Map to Holland was much more honest than many of the special needs books out there, which tend to be relentlessly uplifting and heartwarming. She's very honest about the adjustment process, and it was refreshing (if sometimes heartbreaking) to read.
But I will say that Road Map to Holland was much more honest than many of the special needs books out there, which tend to be relentlessly uplifting and heartwarming. She's very honest about the adjustment process, and it was refreshing (if sometimes heartbreaking) to read.
Very touching, though I would have preferred less personal reflection and more practical details on the growth of her son and the efficacy of the various treatments.
An honest and poignant picture of raising a child with Down syndrome; an important read for anyone who works with people with disabilities.
I loved this book. The author was so completely honest in dealing with her son's diagnosis with Down Syndrome just five days after he and his twin brother were born prematurely. She does such a magnificent job capturing the pain and grief and disappointment the comes with finding out your child has special needs. But more importantly she conveys the joys and the heart-expanding love, the redemption and healing a mother begins to feel. I found myself weeping and rejoicing right along with her. Although my son's special needs are different, (he has autism), there are commonalities to our experience and to the experiences of all parents. She provides wonderful insight on how to create a more inclusive world for all human beings and the joy that comes with that possibility. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I know a woman from a messaging board that had her sixth child last summer. A few days after his home birth he had to have instestinal surgery and then they discovered he had Down Syndrome. I have been following her blog, www.finniansjourney.blogspot.com
Anyhow, in her blog she talked of this book, as did many other mom's of Down Syndrome children.
The title is based on a short essay by Emily Perl Kingsley. Everyone should read it here: http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html
I think it is beautiful.
I really enjoyed the book, I gained insight into the struggles parents of special needs children endure, the joy that comes from love, and a better understanding of special needs in general.
Anyhow, in her blog she talked of this book, as did many other mom's of Down Syndrome children.
The title is based on a short essay by Emily Perl Kingsley. Everyone should read it here: http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html
I think it is beautiful.
I really enjoyed the book, I gained insight into the struggles parents of special needs children endure, the joy that comes from love, and a better understanding of special needs in general.
An emotional retelling that's as much about coming to terms with her son having Down syndrome as caring for preemie twins alongside a preschooler. As a memoir, it's heartfelt and a compelling; it's less strong as a resource or stigma breaker about disability.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I related to so many things from this book. The confusion following birth when your baby goes to NICU and your toddler is at home. Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of multiple youngsters. I also learned about Down syndrome. I thought it was "down's", I thought most children that had it had a shorter life expectancy. I had many misconceptions. I'm very glad I read this book. I feel like I won't say anything stupid or hurtful if I have a friend who has a child with Down syndrome. And besides being eye-opening, this book was a pleasure to read. I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days.
I read this on the recommendation of our local Down syndrome outreach organization. While I appreciated the author’s journey to acceptance and hope I did not find it particularly helpful.
Even in the 13 years since the book was published, things have changed in communities and hospitals and made this book feel dated to me. She has one line about how people wait in line to adopt children like hers- we were one of those families. As the adoptive parent of a child with Ds, I found it challenging to read about her horror at her son’s diagnosis, even though I know that’s something many biological parents go through.
I am glad this book exists but I wouldn’t recommend it to people seeking to understand queer or adoptive families of disabled children,
Even in the 13 years since the book was published, things have changed in communities and hospitals and made this book feel dated to me. She has one line about how people wait in line to adopt children like hers- we were one of those families. As the adoptive parent of a child with Ds, I found it challenging to read about her horror at her son’s diagnosis, even though I know that’s something many biological parents go through.
I am glad this book exists but I wouldn’t recommend it to people seeking to understand queer or adoptive families of disabled children,
Just a really lovely, and moving back about a woman's experience after finding out that one of her pre-mature twins has Down Syndrome. Groneberg is an excellent writer, and her story is raw but beautiful.