Rating: 
Summary: From The Author
Review: Generally, I feel that everyone is entitled to their opinions and because of that, I sat on this for a long time before I decided I needed to respond. I am certainly not going to berate "a reader" for her negative comments when it comes to the book, but there is one thing that she says that bothers me above all others. When she said "...most of the families have at least something positive to say about their child...." How could I not take that personally. So here goes...
First, the book she received was a "Review" copy from the publisher, therefore not meant to be "pristine". Secondly, I have to wonder if she actually read the entire book. If she had she would have read the letter to my son in the final chapter expressing how much of a gift I feel he is and how much I have learned from him and about myself as a result of the tradegy of his birth. Thirdly, she feels that I didn't have anything nice to say about some of the people I met as a result. Clearly she skipped the part in the book and in the acknowledgment page where I have expressed my deepest gratitude to my son's pediatrician, Dr. Hagan and his physiatrist, Dr. Webster as well as some other people I've met along the way.
Lastly, I think I should express exactly why I wrote this book and why I chose to write it the way that I did. When my son was born I searched high and low for a book that would help me feel like I wasn't alone in the world. I needed to have some connection to another parent who had been through what I was going through. Fortunately, I have a lot of wonderful books in my personal library. Unfortunately, there is not one that I fully connected with. A large majority of books available on special needs children do not reflect the needs of parents whose child has multiple challenges. I know that parents need that connection and that's why I wrote "In This Together".
As to why I wrote it the way I did, it's because I didn't want to sugar-coat anything. I was blatantly honest about what I was going through and how I felt about it because to be otherwise would be less than respectful to the parents and professionals who would read it. Furthermore, I wanted to take a "show don't tell" approach. It is easy enough to say to a parent, "Yes it does get better. Yes it will get easier" or if I said something like "I didn't think I could physically survive this profound sadness, but hey, by the time my son was five years old I was feeling okay about life". The harder part was showing how to get from total heart-break to a place in life where you can say "I'm alright.Life is good". And I think I achieved that by using my experience as an example.
Parents know when you're not telling the whole truth. To give them less then the absolute truth would be a disservice. Sometimes parents need to see that it's okay to be angry. And some of the things I said in the book are things that some parents think about but are too afraid to say. By me saying it, it sort of validate how they feel.
As far as "a readers" comment about the book's negativity and her feeling like I don't offer any joyous moments and that I'm basically telling parent's that it's one struggle after another, let me just say that while Murphy's Law did seem to prevail in our lives for a time, the reality is that there were a lot of struggles, some of them monumental and other trivial...but that's the reality, I didn't make it up.
That said, let me direct you "reader" to page 219 when I was summing up the things our family has been through... "We are no longer fragmented people who are bound only by the same last name. We are finally whole, each of us individually, and as a family. We have discovered that the simpler joys in life often mean the most. We have learned that we are adaptable people, because there are days, depending on what's going on with Jake, that we have to quickly reprioritize everything. But we take a deep breath and dig in. We are like the branches of a willow tree...we will bend but not break."
When it comes to the blessings I can count because of my son, let me direct you to page 241 and 242 where I express all the things I've learned about my son, myself, and life in general. It wasn't until after my son was born that I came to believe that we are all here on this earth either to learn something or to teach something and, at least in this lifetime, my son is the teacher and I am the pupil. And though "I may not have the most money or the biggest house, no retirement fund or a way to send my daughter to college when she grows up, I am rich nonetheless for having had the privilege of being a student to such a Master".
To my one and only critic, I hope you will take the time to go back and read the whole book and I invite you (and anyone else) to share your thoughts with me through my website, www.dawnatkinson.net.
To the rest of you, I just want you to know that this book is for you and if I've been able to help in some small way, then it is me who is blessed because of it.
Dawn Atkinson
Rating:
Summary: The Truth of it All
Review: An excellent read that shows what people can overcome even in a time of continuous challenges. Doctors are people too. They may have years of training and experience, but they are human and make mistakes. Good for you Dawn Atkinson for being the brave person you are. I got completely wrapped up in this book two times. Who knows where you and your beautiful son would be if you were not the brave person you were and are. Your an inspiration to ask the physicians questions, rather than just let the Doctor do what the book says.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Negative Book
Review: Dawn Atkinson's book In This Together: The Journey of Mother and Child was truly a great book. As a mother raising a special needs child, Dawn's book truly hit home. It was like reading my life story. I recommend this book to everyone. The letter at the end that Dawn writes to her son, brought tears to my eyes and her advice she gives to loved ones and professionals, I have shared with those people whom are involved in my own son's life.
Dawn, I want to personally thank you for writing this book. You put all the feelings of Mom's everywhere into one book and we appreciate that very much.
Rating:
Summary: well written
Review: Dawn walks the reader through the pregnancy, birth and life of her son Jacob. We are caught up in a medical tragedy unfolding and the effects it has on Jacob, Dawn and the entire family. Dawn tells it like it is with anger, humor and incredible strength. I highly recommend this book for parents,doctors,nurses,medical students.
Rating:
Summary: well written
Review: Dawn walks the reader through the pregnancy, birth and life of her son Jacob. We are caught up in a medical tragedy unfolding and the effects it has on Jacob, Dawn and the entire family. Dawn tells it like it is with anger, humor and incredible strength. I highly recommend this book for parents,doctors,nurses,medical students.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any parent or health care professional
Review: Dawn's incredible Journey with Jake is and ever changing challenge. She is a wonderful mother who advocates for her child as only a mom can. This book only gives you a sample of what it is to have a child with severe disabilities and the challenges that a parent faces.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: Dawn, you have captured the very trials and tribulations that I too am living through with my youngest daughter. I sincerely thank you for taking the time to write this inspiring book - I only wish something like this was available when my Courtney was born (not possible as Jake and Courtney are only a couple of months different in age). The similarities between Jake and Courtney are amazing. I too have dealt with a lot of the issues you raise in your book and although I wouldn't wish our children's disabilties on anyone, I am a much stronger and more learned person for having her in my life. I will be recommending your book to various support agencies in New Zealand and my other international contacts so that other parents know they are not alone in their daily struggles with their severely disabled child.Thank you for your honesty, your continued strength and more importantly your online friendship.
Rating:
Summary: In This Together
Review: I have read and reread this book. I would advise everyone to read this. You will get a broader understanding of what it is to be the parent of a special needs child and why (being a parent of a special needs child myself) we choose to continue from day one. You can never fully understand what steps are taken day to day, or how you develope as a person. Once you read this book you will. The insight you gain from reading this book can not be found anywhere else. Having read this book has made me understand one thing above all, that I am not alone in my journey. Please take the time to read this book to understand the growing world of special needs.
Rating:
Summary: In This Together
Review: I have read and reread this book. I would advise everyone to read this. You will get a broader understanding of what it is to be the parent of a special needs child and why (being a parent of a special needs child myself) we choose to continue from day one. You can never fully understand what steps are taken day to day, or how you develope as a person. Once you read this book you will. The insight you gain from reading this book can not be found anywhere else. Having read this book has made me understand one thing above all, that I am not alone in my journey. Please take the time to read this book to understand the growing world of special needs.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever Read
Review: I read it in two days, then later read it again. I laughed and cried and had every emotion in between. I find myself referring to it often in conversations with other people, whether it's someone in the medical profession, or a parent, or someone dealing with their own fight in life. Dawn Atkinson showed the emotional turmoil she was going through and the strength she found to fight back. I have gained a deeper understanding of what it's like for anyone involved in the life of a special needs child, or anyone fighting to show they are somebody and not just a number. I learned that we can disagree and sometimes we know what's best for ourselves or our loved ones. This is a very touching story and I recommend it to everyone. I doubt if there is single person that can read this book and not learn something from it, and ride an emotional roller coaster with Mrs. Atkinsons powerful words.
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