Just Cate: A Dual Memoir by Lifelong Friends

by Noelle Alix, Angela Martin

Just Cate is a dual memoir of two lifelong friends and the spirited child with Down syndrome who changes them forever. Just Cate opens in the delivery room with Noelle Alix, a 29-year-old finance attorney in a large New York City firm, whose newborn daughter Cate is unexpectedly born with Down syndrome. On hearing the news, Noelle’s childhood friend, Angela Martin, is inspired by her quiet faith to write Noelle a heartfelt note in a baby card. This note and this child spark a transformative 12-year journey of renewed faith and friendship for both women―their second stage of growing up. With humor and heart, the coauthor friends tell a dual tale of the angst and joys of raising a child with a disability, of the power of women friendship, and of Cate’s funny and poignant early years. Readers will come to embrace the spirited child, whose love for her robe, her lemons, and getting her way, comes above all else.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Angela Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dual memoir that's very close to my heart: Just Cate. My coauthor/BFF and I spent many years sitting side-by-side, writing, editing, crying, and laughing our way from the first word to the last. Our story is the transformative journey of our thirty-something years when Noelle's daughter Cate grows up, and we grow up again.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story of strength, faith, family and friendship. Recommend for everyone!!!

[Mary Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than I expected. It had moments of profound sadness, the warmth of real friendship, deep sometimes questioning faith and throughout it all a wonderful child named Cate who the reader cannot help but adore even while empathizing with all the myriad of emotions that are involved in coming to terms with raising a special needs child.

This was exceptionally well written by these two friends; they brought the reader into a very personal, life changing event and the friendship that grew and deepened and matured. Thank you for being willing to open a window into your lives and friendship!

[Erin Schmucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book! I laughed and cried right along with Noelle and Angela. This was a wonderful testament to lifelong friendship, faith and family. I highly recommend reading it. This is definitely a book I will read again and again!

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the chapters towards the end of the book was most interesting to me because it was about when Cate's mother, who is one of the authors of this book, gives a talk to students in a school and they ask a lot of interesting questions. The other author is Cate's mom's best friend and her writing is in bold print in the book so the readers will know the difference between who's writing. One important message in the book is how we should teach compassion to all people and reach out to people left out and be accepting. The author writes about how a lot of times a person with a disability which is more obvious will get more attention or support but what about those kids or people who get left out of the crowd, shouldn't our society be kind to everyone, not just those with disabilities? We have free will and nobody can be forced to be kind to everyone and there is a lot of meanness out there, not just in the k-12 years but on the working world and many people remain bullies into their 20s, 30s, all the up until the day they die perhaps.

There are some funny stories included in this book and for me as someone who is also an author and artist I have to supplement my writing and art career through other jobs. For instance working with people who have disabilities as a job coach and direct support professional, so reading a book such as this one is helpful. If you like personal memoirs and books of people overcoming challenging situations such as I do then I recommend this book. Also if the topic of down syndrome is of interest to you and wanting to learn about it more from a personal writing perspective then you should consider reading this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the website and I knew Angela in our freshman year at Syracuse, but I was not ready for the emotions in this book. It is poignantly written with such raw emotion, laughter, tears and every emotion in between. I have a cousin with Down's and I've seen my Aunt struggle with her 'loneliness' as she didn't have a friendship like the one portrayed in the book. I sent her my copy to read...

I will never take friendship and love for granted again.

This book is a must read for anyone struggling with their faith for any reason, not just those with special kids, like my cousin, Adam and Cate.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gave me a small insight into Cameron--he is the male version of Cate. As I was reading, I was like Oh Cam did that, or that or does this or that. Made me feel it was ok. It's just what he does.

And the story of the friendship between the two woman was a bonus for me. It made me laugh and it made me cry, but mostly made me realize how lucky I am to have special people in my life. And like Cate's mom, I also would not want Cameron any other way than how he is. He's Just Cam.

Thanks Noelle and Angela for a wonderful story of friendship and love and life!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. At first I thought it was about coping with a special needs child, but has universal themes of friendship, faith and women's lives. Most importantly, it reminds the reader to not only cope with problems, but find the humor and joy in life. It reads like a journal.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!!!!!

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book... Heartfelt story ... Made me laugh and cry.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Made me laugh out loud, tears at times.

[Stephanie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of friendship and special needs motherhood.

[Lori Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt story and life saving friendship.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story of love, family, friendship and faith. How blessed Cate was to be delivered into the Alix extended family.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a family blessed.

[Kate. Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very profound and heartfelt story. A must read for all touched by Downs Syndrome.