Making Lemonade With Ben: The Audacity to Cope

by Katherine J. Perreth

This award-winning tale of triumphant woe chronicles the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical effects on a family after seven-year-old Ben is found in a coma. Despite Ben's ensuing struggles with myriad disabilities and mental health issues, love wins. Narrated with irrepressible humor by the quirky mom, the story follows sixteen years of trauma and victory, culminating with Ben's invitation to Washington DC.

This inspiring book explores issues of global significance surrounding a family suddenly presented with a special needs child. At age seven, uber-outgoing Ben experiences myriad disabilities, mental challenges, and later, mental illness. The author candidly portrays her own deep struggles with what Ben's life requires of her, and the roles of various communities in Ben's recovery, including medical, educational, faith, governmental, and cross-cultural. In addition, the author celebrates the good created in Ben's life because of his connection to Yahara House, an internationally accredited mental health treatment and recovery Clubhouse in Madison, and an intentional employer, the Madison Children's Museum.

Ben's perpetually cheerful, never-say-die attitude brings him recognition. In 2011, the museum hires Ben, and then selects him as Community Member to accompany staff to Washington DC. There, the museum receives the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal. Ben is front-page Wisconsin State Journal news on December 5, 2011. In November 2012, Madison Magazine features him as one of top ten people giving back to the community.

Despite his various continued challenges and setbacks, Ben now leads an independent life he loves, working at his "dream job." Among other museum duties, Ben is employed as a one-handed juggler. His stated goal? Make humanity smile.

This Cinderella Story is chock-full of pathos, especially employing the author's main coping strategy, humor, while weaving multiple threads of love, and championing a caring community whose values breed success.

Or, as Ben calls it, "A total yin-yang, win-win."

415 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2013

About the author

This Wisconsin woman graduated from UW-Madison in 1983 with Social Work and Sociology degrees.

She spent three exceedingly educational years in Nagasaki, Japan. For the last twenty, she's lived with her family in the home she grew up in, just outside Madison.

Katherine is a reporter for her hometown newspaper, administrative assistant, and facilitator of a reminiscence writing class.

She loves Bucky Badger, lavender, mysteries, the Packers, dark chocolate, and the sight, sounds, and smell of cows. Not necessarily in that order.

Reviews

[Elaine Hoffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to understand better Ben and his life. I came away understanding how one child affects the whole family. Katherine is an excellent writer and you could tell she spent a lot of time on this book. Years of notes of all of their ordeals in dealing with Ben's illness. I came away understanding that this was a book she needed to write to help other people understand that they are not alone when dealing with their children's illnesses. At times it seemed a little long but I think it needed to show how long sometimes it feels when this is your life day in and day out. The best part of the book was preparing Ben and Katherine for their trip to Washington to receive the award for the Madison Children's Museum from the Institute of Museum and Library Service. It was really neat to see how they did in Washington and what historical sites they saw. I really felt like it was a good book to understand Ben and his family, I just wish I could have read it when I was still working with kids with special needs because it makes you understand a little more why the families want what they feel is best for their child. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Jane P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In publishing "Making Lemonade with Ben", Katherine Perreth has revealed her secret as a masterful storyteller, who found her voice in her first book. My only complaint was the story of love and pain was difficult to read ... through wet eyes, tears of both sadness and joy. Building upon her experience as a journalist, Ms. Perreth constructs clear, vivid pictures, and a narrative which tells a story filled with frustration and joy. Ever since Ben was stricken with a brain hemorrhage at age seven, Katherine and Ben - along with their extended family, friends, and supporters - have experienced the full range of human emotions. As a reader, you are drawn into this tale of courage and love. I especially appreciated the way Ms. Perreth named, labelled, and even used abbreviations to create a personal, and often humorous, language within the text. Buy this book, but when you do, pick up some Kleenex, too. You will need it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known Katherine since 7th grade and her son Ben was in my son Kyle's class in high school. I never knew she was going through all of this! The book is an honest portrayal of what the family really went through and it is not sugar coated one bit. I highly recommend it! Making Lemonade totally ROCKS!

[Ericwillard]

I'm sure there are experts in the field of special education who will likely find fault with some of the methodologies employed by some of those Mrs. Perreth encountered on her journey with Ben. However, the path she took, has worked out for Ben and for her in the long run, and I'm grateful that she documented that journey in this book. I wish I had her for a neighbor and I feel she is a friend I simply haven't yet met. Congratulations to her for opening her heart and sharing her passion and her love in this way.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ben’s story is compelling, too bad this book is jumpy time wise, medically moronic, oddly religious, vague (who the heck is chief neurosurgeon and where the hell is chicagoland?) and badly over written by his no doubt well meaning idiotic mother. I sure she means well, but what’s the point of this book? I stumbled across this copy, which I found in a “little library” signed by Katherine and Ben. Ben reminding me to “ be kind”....So I’ll be kind to his mom and wrap up this review and bump it up to 2 stars.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to dealing with the near death and consequent disabilities of her son, Katherine Perreth gives a very accurate description of what depression is like. The book is a definite tear-jerker as well as a story of struggle and triumph. It takes place in Madison, Wisconsin. The only down side for me was the over use of "doncha know".

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true-life story is a gripping affirmation of the human spirit told in a voice that's fresh, candid, and funny. I hung on every word! Absolutely stellar -- I highly recommend it!

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. Too preachy.

[Kary Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of local references