Description
Gripping, raw, and beautiful, this book reveals the struggles and rewards of caring for a child with severe disability and helps professionals work more sensitively and effectively with families of children with special needs. Written with grace and candor by special education professional Beth Harry, the book chronicles the life of her daughter, Melanie, who was born with a rare form of cerebral palsy and died less than 6 years later.
Captivating the reader from page one, Dr. Harry illuminates the full spectrum of her parenting experiences—from the day her "little bird" came into the world to the day she left. Readers will come away with a deep understanding of
- the complex emotions that parents experience as they adjust to life with a child who has special needs
- the practical and emotional aspects of supporting a child with feeding difficulties, vision impairment, and limited motor skills
- the joy parents experience when their child begins to communicate and make personal connections
- the lasting impact a professional's words can have on a parent, and the need to provide positive support that allows a child to reach her full potential
- the services, therapies, and interventions that improved Melanie's quality of life-and how they've changed since her story began in the 1970s
Ideal for use as a supplemental text in courses for preservice early interventionists, early childhood special educators, special educators, and health professionals, this book gives readers an unforgettable inside look at what families experience when their child has a disability—and how to meet their needs as their child grows. And, a Reader's Guide is included! Perfect for use in the classroom or in book clubs, the thought-provoking discussion questions help professionals absorb the book's lessons and apply them to everyday practice with families.
Eye-opening and inspiring, Melanie, Bird with a Broken Wing will leave a lasting impression and will, as Dr. Harry urges, prepare readers "to believe the messages of their hearts as they make professional decisions."
Reviews
Review by: Susan Lani Stewart, Community of Practice and Curriculum Coordinator, SpecialQuest Birth-Five
"There are many points in the book where I would ask the students to discuss the situation from multiple angles—maybe even do some role playing—and then think about how they might, as professionals, change how they interact parents as a result of the reading . . . [this book] is truly a gift to many."
Review by: Janette Klingner, Associate Professor of Education, School of Education, University of Colorado at Boulder
"A wonderful book! It is beautifully and honestly written—a true testament to a mother's love."
Review by: Sharon Vaughn, University of Texas, Austin
"A must read for anyone working with individuals with disabilities . . . a remarkable story told from the heart."
Review by: Karen Pape, Medical Director, TASC Network, Toronto, Canada
"This book about a child and her mother, written with compassion and insight, is a must read text for healthcare professionals."
Review by: Janette Long, M.A. special education candidate, The Ohio State University
"Anyone in the field of special needs and special education should read the book . . . it gives us a nice glimpse into the life and mind of a mother of a child with special needs. I would recommend this book to anyone."
Review by: Tara McCarthy, M.Ed. visual impairment candidate, The Ohio State University
"This was not just a story for parents, it was both a professional and a life lesson . . . the unfiltered emotional descriptions throughout the story, the heartfelt poetry, and the photographs of Melanie truly inspired me."
Review by: Megan Rutschilling, M.Ed. visual impairment candidate, The Ohio State University
"Shows what love, spirit, believing, and never giving up can do. Everyone should read it!"
Review by: Christina Woolard, M.A. intervention specialist candidate, The Ohio State University
"Outstanding . . . As I read this book I cried, laughed, and felt fortunate that the author chose to share her daughter with us. What a beautiful story of strength, hope, determination, and love. I would certainly recommend this book for future classes."
Review by: Jessica Ware, M.Ed. hearing impairments candidate, The Ohio State University
"Beth Harry has shown great courage and progression of strength through her ability to recall the events of her daughter's life and create such an inspiring piece of work."
Review by: Gail Ensher, Professor of Early Childhood Special Education, Syracuse University; co-author, Families, Infants, & Young Children at Risk: Pathways to Best Practice
"Instructive, compassionate, beautifully written, and truly inspirational—a must read for every student and professional who works with families and children with disabilities and special health care needs."
Review by: Robert Naseef, Psychologist, parent, author Special Children, Challenged Parents, co-editor Voices from the Spectrum
"This beautifully written memoir is deeply moving and insightful. With courage and honesty this mother struggles through her darkest moments which unfold into a profound connection with her child."
Review by: Penny Camps, Child & Adolescent Center, Trinidad & Tobago
"This exquisitely written memoir shows the awesome responsibility professionals have in appreciating and reinforcing a parent's hopefulness. Beth's interactions with professionals show how hope can contribute to or undermine a parent's strength, a child's development, and the family's enthusiasm in engaging the arduous but always fulfilling journey."
Review by: Batya Elbaum, Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Miami
"A moving and beautifully crafted memoir"
Review by: Nancy Henderson, Exceptional Parent magazine
"The details in Harry's story are painfully wrenching and often quite riveting despite the familiarity of her ordeal, which many families of children with disabilities will understand."
Table of Contents
Part I
- With a Whimper
- Melanie
- Empty Hands
- The Sweet Bird
- The Dream Is Me
- Crashing
- Gargling
- Choking
- Vomiting
- In Our Hands
- "Oh God! No!"
- The Bearer of Bad News
- Nestargel
- The Spiral Staircase
- Smiling
- Initial Assessments
- Seeing
- Interpreting
- Swallowing
- Invisible Chains
- Love and Faith
- Mummy Therapy
- A Very Sick Baby
- The Turning Point
- Sleep Feeding
- Thriving
- Naming the World
- Morning Has Broken
Part II
- Mark
- Seeking Another View
- The Forest or the Trees?
- Joan and Wendy
- The Shade of the Immortelle
- Bobath Therapy
- A Temporary Goodbye
- "Yes!"
- Back to School
- Magnificent Helpers
- A Happy Four-Year-Old
- A New Decade
- Dynamic Reassessment
- CT Scan
- Brain Gazing
- Mercedes and Elizabeth
- The Spreading Branches of the Immortelle
- A Fairy Tale Morning
- From Fairy Tale to Nightmare
- The Worst of Times
- The End
- She Looks All Right
- Good-bye
Epilogue
Melanie
References
Reader's Guide