Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME
Review: I really enjoyed the book! For a first time writer, Dawn is excellent. I admire her courage and strength to write this book in her own words. She is a tell it like it is woman and wants to do what is best for her child and I think this book can be very educational for moms and or parents with severely handicapped children.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Negative Book
Review: I received this book as a review copy from the publisher because I am an employee of an early intervention program. I work with families who have children with devastating birth defects or diagnoses, some even more involved than the author's son, Jacob. However, most of the families have at least something positive to say about their child and sometimes even about the people they never would have met except for the tragedy that occurred. Although this book does demonstrate how important it is to be an advocate for your child, I am reluctant to share this book with parents of children with disabilities because it is so negative. I would hate for a new parent of a child with a disability to feel that they only have continual struggles ahead of them with no hope of joyous moments. Additionally, the obviously unedited book has numerous grammatical and spelling errors that were very obvious when trying to read the book.
Rating:
Summary: You will love reading this book!
Review: If you believe in miracles, do yourself a favor and read this book. Despite it being 296 pages, I found myself unable to put it down...a literal "page turner". I read the whole thing in two consecutive afternoons. The unbelievably true and inspiring story of Jake's survival and Dawn's perseverance against the "system" will have you rooting for them all the way through the book. You don't need to be a parent to appreciate this journey, but those of you who are (including those with special needs children) will find this an inspirational guide from someone who's lived it first hand. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: It's about time
Review: It's about time I found a book that tells it like it really is - the struggle to deal with everyday life accompanied by the complications of having a child with a severe disability. Two thumbs up to Dawn for her uncanny ability to put to words the feelings that many parents have when facing this struggle. This book is for EVERYONE - not only for parents of children with disabilities - but for their families, the therapists and the neighbors - it should be used by universities in training social workers and counselors - it should be found in the waiting room of pediatricians offices- I hate to think that there would be anyone would would miss out on reading this book - it is certainly eye opening not matter your situation in life.
Rating:
Summary: Every Expectant mother should know...
Review: The story of Dawn Atkinson is one of the joy of expecting a child and the heartbreak that can be when there is ignorance and arrogance. Ignorance by both a young first time pregnant mom and by a new inexperienced ob/gyn. And arrogance of doctor with no regard for the baby coming into this world, they are not made of rubber and don't always bounce back! As first time moms we tend to trust in our doctors. We may read books like "What to Expect when your Expecting" or even other informational articles in "Parents Magazine" but there isn't a lot of information out there about delivery. We tend to trust the person who is suppose to be the expert and hope for the best. After all babies are born every day in the United States without any complications or problems and all our friends and relatives went through it just fine right? This book not only is about the journey between mother and child but is something every pregnant women should read about and discuss with her ob/gyn before delivery and have a plan. How long will they let labor go on before doing a Cessarian section?, When do they use vacuum extraction?, What is the protocol?, Why do they induce labor? Should labor ever be induced early without a clear indication that there is medical danger to the baby or mom?.
This books is very helpful to both the expectant mom as well as a comfort to the mom who has gone through and is living her own story of loss of "normal" birth and motherhood. Sometimes too much information can be a good thing. We need to educate woman about the dangers of labor as well as the joys. We need to give control to the patient. Let them decide enough is enough and let them be the judge of when something feels wrong.
This book also belongs in college libraries. Especially colleges that specialize in nursing, education and pre-med. Anybody who will come in contact with or may come in contact with the kind of very special family Dawn Atkinson has should know the ins and outs, the nuts and bolts of what their everyday is like. It will make us all more compasionate and understanding. It will also teach us to have more respect for the one who knows the most about the affected child...THE MOM!
Rating:
Summary: Able to connect
Review: This book is great. For almost every experience, I could instantly think of a story in my journey with my daughter Kaitlyn that I could relate. Dawn is also very funny and it was nice to have the humor in the book. I didn't think with everything going on in my life with Kaitlyn that I would have time to finish the book like I did. I couldn't put it down. Great job.
Rating:
Summary: Book that feeds your soul.
Review: This book was a fantastic read for any parent of a special needs child. However, I also believe that teachers, doctors and ministers would also benefit from reading this mother's view of the journey with her son.Not too many times have I picked up a book and not put it down. This book was an easy read, and the author was easy to relate to. Anyone who believes that things happen for reasons that teach us to be strong will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Book that feeds your soul.
Review: This book was a fantastic read for any parent of a special needs child. However, I also believe that teachers, doctors and ministers would also benefit from reading this mother's view of the journey with her son. Not too many times have I picked up a book and not put it down. This book was an easy read, and the author was easy to relate to. Anyone who believes that things happen for reasons that teach us to be strong will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Unable to put this one down......
Review: until it had been read in it's entirety. This book is absolutely fantastic. It is a "real" look into the every day lives that so many of us are living. I am glad that it is out there for people to read and learn from. So many people do not understand what living with a disabled child is like. Dawn puts it out there just as it is. Great Job Dawn!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Unable to put this one down......
Review: until it had been read in it's entirety. This book is absolutely fantastic. It is a "real" look into the every day lives that so many of us are living. I am glad that it is out there for people to read and learn from. So many people do not understand what living with a disabled child is like. Dawn puts it out there just as it is. Great Job Dawn!!!!!
| 
