A Difference in the Family: Living With a Disabled Child

Rating:
Summary: Laying the groundwork
Review: Although I have been aware of my daughter's disability for years, I found Ms. Featherstone's book to be a source of support and understanding which I couldn't find elsewhere. This book covers a wide range of disabilities from physical, to mental, to emotional handicaps and gives first-hand accounts from people who have various relationships with the disabled. I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a niche in the world as a relative to a someone with a disability.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful source of support!
Review: Although I have been aware of my daughter's disability for years, I found Ms. Featherstone's book to be a source of support and understanding which I couldn't find elsewhere. This book covers a wide range of disabilities from physical, to mental, to emotional handicaps and gives first-hand accounts from people who have various relationships with the disabled. I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a niche in the world as a relative to a someone with a disability.

Rating:
Summary: The wonderful gift for parents who have a disabled child
Review: I discovered this book shortly after my daughter was born with a severe orthopedic birth defect, and it helped me a great deal to cope during those early months. Just reading other families' stories--and seeing that there are many ways for children to develop and be loved--was a genuine inspiration. The author's special vantagepoint, as both the mother of a disabled child and a specialist in child development, lends both sensitivity and objectivity to the writing. If you "don't know what to say" to a friend or relative who is facing this crisis, let this book do the communicating...

Rating:
Summary: A worthy addition to the field
Review: I first read this book in graduate school, and found it to be an excellent introduction to the issue of living with a disabled child. But I have a warning: Featherstone does a highly commendable job, but shows a family coping in a healthy manner to the responsibility of a disabled child. I have a severely brain-damaged sibling, and not all families cope with this often overwhelming problem quite so maturely and positively. That aside, this is well worth reading, as an introduction to the field, and for people coping with this issue firsthand.

Rating:
Summary: A worthy addition to the field
Review: I first read this book in graduate school, and found it to be an excellent introduction to the issue of living with a disabled child. But I have a warning: Featherstone does a highly commendable job, but shows a family coping in a healthy manner to the responsibility of a disabled child. I have a severely brain-damaged sibling, and not all families cope with this often overwhelming problem quite so maturely and positively. That aside, this is well worth reading, as an introduction to the field, and for people coping with this issue firsthand.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Family Systems w/mentally retarded
Review: It is difficult to believe that I would be the first to sing the praise of Ms. Featherstone's book on Amazon. This is a MUST READ for professionals going into the field of individuals with intellectual disabilities and the families who love them. As a sibling of a man with Down Syndrome I couldn't have written a better book myself. And as a Adult Sibling Selfhelp Support Group Facilitator I couldn't recommed a better book to my fellow siblings.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Family Systems w/mentally retarded
Review: It is difficult to believe that I would be the first to sing the praise of Ms. Featherstone's book on Amazon. This is a MUST READ for professionals going into the field of individuals with intellectual disabilities and the families who love them. As a sibling of a man with Down Syndrome I couldn't have written a better book myself. And as a Adult Sibling Selfhelp Support Group Facilitator I couldn't recommed a better book to my fellow siblings.

Rating:
Summary: Laying the groundwork
Review: This book is a top-notch history of where we have been as a society dealing with children with special needs. It lays the groundwork for many of the programs and ideas we have today. Definitely worthwhile reading.