Precisely John: A Journey of Autism, Love, Laughter, and Faith

by Catherine Miller

A Norman Rockwell painting it wasn’t. But we wanted it to be. No one called it autism, much less Asperger’s back in the sixties when we were growing up. They called it weird, odd, different.
We were a tight knit family in our little town, where my parents were teachers at the local school. At times it seemed a childhood filled with conflict about my older brother John. He was quiet and sweet. Yet, at times he would also make strange noises, shake his hands and fingers, while being completely consumed in his own thoughts. My confusion grew in trying to make sense of his differences, the over protectiveness of my parents, the teasing and bullying of him at school. Loved him, sometimes hated him, and really didn’t want to be like him. Felt guilty about all of it.
The years following school rolled on, until both family and personal crisis brought me back home. I quickly became aware that there was a significant distance between John and me. This is where our real journey began. Step by step, as I tried working my way back into his life, my perception of him began to change. Yet, I couldn’t have imagined that he would one day become my hero and a teacher I could only hope to emulate.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2016

Reviews

[Mis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really was hopeful that this would be a discovery on why Autism was not discussed and how they were to overcome such a journey and battle from childhood to adulthood. I feel that this story was more from the perspectives of the sister and not much about Autism. I was hopeful and made it through. It was decent, just not what I was hoping for. I would have like to see more about John and less about his sister. This is just my personal opinion, I am sure this book is perfect for someone out there, just not for me.

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It helped that Cathy is a casual friend, but her story certainly was compelling about faith. Almost blind faith the deep faith that she was doing the right thing in her career as a social worker and also as sister to her brother who she protected with all her might.

The book is clear and straight forward. Easy, good read. Recommend for OAHow people for information about faith and commitment.

Pegg

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and heartfelt exploration of a sister's difficult yet ultimately rewarding--and humbling--relationship with her autistic brother. Growing up in 1950s Iowa, when her brother John's Asperger's was little understood and a subject of much ridicule among their friends, the author learned how to overcome her own embarrassment about her brother's differences and instead admire his courage. As adults, bent on repairing their relationship and then becoming John's caretaker after the passing of their parents, Miller describes the challenges of caring for John's many health problems but also, quite beautifully, the lessons she learns from his steadfast, black-and-white, faith-filled way of looking at the world. This book is a journey that will inspire both laughter and tears but also leave readers with more compassion and sensitivity for the "special" people in their lives.