coloradobookworms 's review for:

Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood

5.0

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Oh my heart! This was an emotional, heartbreaking but also heart warming story about a mother's love and the lengths you go through for your children. A story based on true events about a mother,Ginny, in the 1970's who gives birth to Lucy, a sweet baby born with Down Syndrome. Back then it wasn't uncommon for children who were born with such disabilities to be sent away "for the sake of the family." This is what happened to Lucy, while her mother was recovering from giving birth and left sedated, her husband, at the guilt driven advice by his powerful father, gave up parental rights to Lucy and she was "committed" instead of "admitted" to Willowridge. After two years, Ginny's best friend shows her an expose that was written about Lucy's "school" where the residents were treated less than human and more like animals. Ginny went to the school to see for herself, was allowed to take Lucy for a weekend visit and after seeing the harsh conditions decided Lucy would never go back. On the run from her family back home she makes a decision for her child that would alter everyone's future. I couldn't put this book down and the author is amazing at how she can make her readers FEEL this book! It is sad to know this was based on true events and the struggles families had to go through because they were tricked into thinking that committing their children was what's best. This book reminded me of The Memory Keeper's Daughter with a bit of Thelma and Louise. I highly recommend this book!