What do you think?
Rate this book
Half A Brain: Confessions of a Special Needs Mom
A mother’s desperate struggle to save her daughter. Radical brain surgery is their only hope.In a heart-stopping twist of fate, Jenni Basch discovers that her unborn baby has suffered a devastating brain injury, putting her life in jeopardy before it even begins. Against unimaginable obstacles, her little one miraculously survives, but now they face a life filled with complex medical challenges.When a merciless form of epilepsy strikes her daughter, Jenni and her husband are faced with an impossible decision. Their only glimmer of hope lies in a daring and radical surgery, a procedure that requires removing half of their daughter’s brain. Will they have the courage to take this life-altering step in order to give their daughter a fighting chance?Prepare to be captivated as Jenni fearlessly pulls back the curtain on a world that is often unseen and misunderstood. With a refreshing blend of candidness and humor, she invites us into her world, challenging our perceptions and illuminating the depths of parental strength.Each terrifying diagnosis and crisis pushes Jenni to the brink, forcing her to confront her deepest insecurities, fears, judgements, and lack of experience. Yet, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, she discovers an inner resilience she never knew existed. Join her on this rollercoaster of emotions as she embarks on a journey that will inspire and uplift your own spirit.Grab your copy of Half A Brain today and witness the awe-inspiring power of a mother’s unwavering love.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirMedical
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2020
231 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Basch
4 books3 followersJenni Basch is a author, therapist, and special needs mama. She lives with her two kids and husband in California. If she isn't petting her cats or reading, she might be enjoying a tasty beverage.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 3, 2020
Indulgent pitying and badly written.
Honestly? I have read many books about this subject, and not one was as hard to get through as this. It was all about her. Her poor child, I cannot imagine how someone so self-centered could care for a child with these issues.
Honestly? I have read many books about this subject, and not one was as hard to get through as this. It was all about her. Her poor child, I cannot imagine how someone so self-centered could care for a child with these issues.
September 25, 2021
I will say up front that I am not finishing this book. I made it to 25%.
I don't particularly love when people write reviews without finishing a book, and I really don't like when people give poor reviews because they don't agree with the author, but I here I am.
Let me explain.
This review is not just based on my dislike for the authors attitude and choice of words; it is actually terribly written. She is jumping from thought to thought, and even between time frames from one sentence to the next with no indication that she is doing so. No break in the chapter, or new chapter. Just a period and a completely new topic. Honestly, her writing level is that of a middle school child and it should not be that hard to follow. But my God, there's no structure and I keep getting lost.
Now, why I really have a problem with this book. This woman is so self centered. All she talks about is how terrible her life is going to be, how her dreams have been ruined etc, by her unborn daughters massive brain hemorrhage. Even after the baby is born, she never once states she has concern for her daughters quality of life, only hers. Furthermore, the way she talks about her disabled daughter, and disabled people in general is absolutely atrocious. Let me give you an excerpt so you can fully understand -
"With each sentence, I died a little more inside. I imagined Skye growing into a drooling monster with deformed limbs, a living gargoyle. Our family would never be able to leave the house. How could we take such a child with her machines and tubes and bulky wheelchair? I would be stuck at home with a vegetable forever"
I was literally shaking after reading this piece. I read a few more pages before deciding I couldn't go on and logged into good reads to see what other reviews said and I was shocked at how positive they were. Absolutely disgusting.
I don't particularly love when people write reviews without finishing a book, and I really don't like when people give poor reviews because they don't agree with the author, but I here I am.
Let me explain.
This review is not just based on my dislike for the authors attitude and choice of words; it is actually terribly written. She is jumping from thought to thought, and even between time frames from one sentence to the next with no indication that she is doing so. No break in the chapter, or new chapter. Just a period and a completely new topic. Honestly, her writing level is that of a middle school child and it should not be that hard to follow. But my God, there's no structure and I keep getting lost.
Now, why I really have a problem with this book. This woman is so self centered. All she talks about is how terrible her life is going to be, how her dreams have been ruined etc, by her unborn daughters massive brain hemorrhage. Even after the baby is born, she never once states she has concern for her daughters quality of life, only hers. Furthermore, the way she talks about her disabled daughter, and disabled people in general is absolutely atrocious. Let me give you an excerpt so you can fully understand -
"With each sentence, I died a little more inside. I imagined Skye growing into a drooling monster with deformed limbs, a living gargoyle. Our family would never be able to leave the house. How could we take such a child with her machines and tubes and bulky wheelchair? I would be stuck at home with a vegetable forever"
I was literally shaking after reading this piece. I read a few more pages before deciding I couldn't go on and logged into good reads to see what other reviews said and I was shocked at how positive they were. Absolutely disgusting.
February 13, 2021
The author may want to examine her internalised ableism
....and there are many ways to describe the immobility of a severely disabled child than calling her a vegetable (more than once).
....and there are many ways to describe the immobility of a severely disabled child than calling her a vegetable (more than once).
July 24, 2020
This Mom "Gets it"
This is an outstanding book. Parents of special needs children , like myself , will relate to the difficult journey navigating the medical issues, the schools and the IEP maze, the insurance company and government programs, and most of all the full gamet of feelings. The emotional struggles and challenges are overwhelming in a world where " normal" is so valued. And your child may never do those so called normal , often taken for granted things. The author is spot on with the roller coaster of feelings. At times I shed fears because I know those feelings. And yet, like the author, our special needs children bring fears of joy. Their milestones mean even more because of the challenges they have faced. Their victories make the hard journey worth it and because of our special needs children there comes a deeper appreciation for the strength of the human spirit to rise above the darkest of days. There are " rainbows and unicorns" as the author states.
This is an outstanding book. Parents of special needs children , like myself , will relate to the difficult journey navigating the medical issues, the schools and the IEP maze, the insurance company and government programs, and most of all the full gamet of feelings. The emotional struggles and challenges are overwhelming in a world where " normal" is so valued. And your child may never do those so called normal , often taken for granted things. The author is spot on with the roller coaster of feelings. At times I shed fears because I know those feelings. And yet, like the author, our special needs children bring fears of joy. Their milestones mean even more because of the challenges they have faced. Their victories make the hard journey worth it and because of our special needs children there comes a deeper appreciation for the strength of the human spirit to rise above the darkest of days. There are " rainbows and unicorns" as the author states.
July 17, 2024
I’m so torn on this one. As a NICU mom, mom of a son with medical complexities, I could definitely relate to a lot of the feelings and experiences in her daughters early days. While I appreciated the brutal honesty, as the book progressed I honestly started to question if this mother even loved her daughter - she didn’t mention love until 76% of the way through the book. The author was Very inwardly focused, and it was physically difficult to power through this book especially as she referred to her daughter multiple times as a freak, monster, side show attraction, on and on.
June 11, 2020
As a mom of four children, I felt this book. But I also can never comprehend what type of strength and resilience it takes to raise a child who needs so much. This story is a truth teller- and should be read by all parents. It’s a real story of what it takes to live through those first few years with a child with multiple medical issues. For her next book, I would love to read about the family dynamics of raising a child who needs so much and is so loved.
September 10, 2024
okay so i think it’s really important this has been written and that jenni’s story is so crucial BUT some of the language felt very problematic and i didn’t love her self centredness
February 27, 2025
historians are told to wait 10 years after an event to write about it. i feel like that should have applied here. the author is undoubtedly a great mother who loves her daughter very much, and i really appreciated learning about skye and her life. however, a lot of the author's emotions about her daughter seemed like they hadn't been worked through, and like she was using the memoir as a type of therapy. there is certainly a place for writing and creative work as therapy, but i was left comparing this book to other excellent special needs parenting memoirs like "can't breathe" by laesa faith kim and "raising a rare girl," both of which had a lot of strong and important things to say about disability in general. this book felt more about the author's emotions. which, again, is fine...in your diary. as a parent to two special needs kids, one of whom had a long nicu stay...again, i dunno, i just kept comparing to the other books which really made me feel seen and really helped me wrap my head around things i'd been thinking and feeling. this book didn't do that. it just felt angry and resentful, stuff i already feel and don't need to wallow in even more.
it's not just that i didn't feel the book dissected ableism (external and internalized) enough...the author was actively ableist against her own daughter. the book was a manifesto on how the author's life sucked, was ruined, blah blah blah. part of what i adored about these other memoirs was how they focused on the child's life, and quality of life, and prioritized the parent's journey of finding the inherent value and beauty in that child's life. another reason the author should have waited 10 years: maybe she just hasn't processed the diagnosis and trauma enough to be able to see things anywhere but from a place of anger.
i also didn't like how the author focused so much on how she coped by judging other patients in the waiting room. you don't know what other people are going through. there was a lot of cruelty toward other parents of ill and special needs children, much of it class-based. a lot of pain-olympics comparing about whose special needs/medically complex kid is worse. everyone copes differently, but that stuff can't stay in your brain and off the pages you are sharing with the whole world. i would like to think, while i'm sitting in the nicu, that all of us share a similar trauma. the author seemed to think hers was the worst, and the rest of us were just there...because, i guess? i mean don't get me wrong, i also felt some envy of people who had less complex things going on, or who were admitted after my daughter and discharged before her. and i also had awareness that there were people there in much, much worse shape than my daughter. and...tragically...people who would never take their children home. children who would never see the outside of that nicu.
it's ok to acknowledge that there is a spectrum of disability. but there's a way to do that and to acknowledge the shittiness of your situation that isn't invalidating of other people's issues and doesn't make it seem like you think that nobody has the right to complain if their kid "just" has cancer (or whatever).
this book is just not the kind of thing that special needs parents need to read. the thesis of the book was "my situation is bad, worse than yours probably, and here are all the reasons why my daughter's disability ruined my life." understandable to feel...not a great thesis for a book.
i found it noteworthy too that the author is a therapist. i hope her patients don't realize she probably spends their sessions thinking about how easy they have it and don't deserve to need therapy. (which the author literally says about people with "easy" problems in the last chapters of the book....) i resent parents of typical kids sometimes too, but damn, don't say it so loud lol.
it's not just that i didn't feel the book dissected ableism (external and internalized) enough...the author was actively ableist against her own daughter. the book was a manifesto on how the author's life sucked, was ruined, blah blah blah. part of what i adored about these other memoirs was how they focused on the child's life, and quality of life, and prioritized the parent's journey of finding the inherent value and beauty in that child's life. another reason the author should have waited 10 years: maybe she just hasn't processed the diagnosis and trauma enough to be able to see things anywhere but from a place of anger.
i also didn't like how the author focused so much on how she coped by judging other patients in the waiting room. you don't know what other people are going through. there was a lot of cruelty toward other parents of ill and special needs children, much of it class-based. a lot of pain-olympics comparing about whose special needs/medically complex kid is worse. everyone copes differently, but that stuff can't stay in your brain and off the pages you are sharing with the whole world. i would like to think, while i'm sitting in the nicu, that all of us share a similar trauma. the author seemed to think hers was the worst, and the rest of us were just there...because, i guess? i mean don't get me wrong, i also felt some envy of people who had less complex things going on, or who were admitted after my daughter and discharged before her. and i also had awareness that there were people there in much, much worse shape than my daughter. and...tragically...people who would never take their children home. children who would never see the outside of that nicu.
it's ok to acknowledge that there is a spectrum of disability. but there's a way to do that and to acknowledge the shittiness of your situation that isn't invalidating of other people's issues and doesn't make it seem like you think that nobody has the right to complain if their kid "just" has cancer (or whatever).
this book is just not the kind of thing that special needs parents need to read. the thesis of the book was "my situation is bad, worse than yours probably, and here are all the reasons why my daughter's disability ruined my life." understandable to feel...not a great thesis for a book.
i found it noteworthy too that the author is a therapist. i hope her patients don't realize she probably spends their sessions thinking about how easy they have it and don't deserve to need therapy. (which the author literally says about people with "easy" problems in the last chapters of the book....) i resent parents of typical kids sometimes too, but damn, don't say it so loud lol.
July 12, 2024
wow!!! i picked this up because the writer of this book is the mother of a child with cerebral palsy among other disabilities , and it shares her experience as a caregiver as her daughter goes through many different treatments. I definitely see some language within this regarding disabilities that I don't prefer (ex. i prefer using terms like disabled (or terms that directly address difference in needs due to disabilities) over special needs [no one has the same set of needs, and i don't think we need to refer to a higher need of assistance as special, it's just what we need to live our lives!!!!]). However, I can understand people have different preferences when it comes to identity language and I think this is a very important read, especially if you want to work in healthcare specifically with kids/families!! I recognize so many of this writer's feelings as similar to my own that I have begun to experience as I've gotten older and understood more about CP/ having a disability in general. So good!
August 28, 2020
A Gift was given today
This book was written in truth from the experience of parents that went through so much to he!p their precious child reach her possibilities . Once I started to read this book, I could not put it down. The parents love and care for their children is loving, encouraging and hopeful. This is your child and you don't give up on them. They are precious, innocent little ones that depend on our unconditional love. Sure, who wouldn't want to have respite from this job of being a parent with a special needs child with in-depth medical issues? But then you miss the child's bright eyes as they smile. They trust you. What is normal? Normal is whatever works for you. With love and commitment Jenni and her husband are seeking their son and daughters potential in life. They deserve to be poster parents, because of their commitment of love for each h other and their precious children
Margaret Bell- Berman
This book was written in truth from the experience of parents that went through so much to he!p their precious child reach her possibilities . Once I started to read this book, I could not put it down. The parents love and care for their children is loving, encouraging and hopeful. This is your child and you don't give up on them. They are precious, innocent little ones that depend on our unconditional love. Sure, who wouldn't want to have respite from this job of being a parent with a special needs child with in-depth medical issues? But then you miss the child's bright eyes as they smile. They trust you. What is normal? Normal is whatever works for you. With love and commitment Jenni and her husband are seeking their son and daughters potential in life. They deserve to be poster parents, because of their commitment of love for each h other and their precious children
Margaret Bell- Berman
October 19, 2020
This is a memoir of a mother who has a daughter with special needs. She shares her struggles and joys of raising Skye who was born with severe brain damage. As a baby, Skye had an operation to remove half of her brain to prevent her from having constant seizures. The mother Jenni tells about life with Skye from the moment she was told that her baby had brain trauma in utero to the present of Skye being in fourth grade. This book was so heartfelt and interesting to see this family and the constant strains that they live through daily. It puts life in perspective and it made me appreciate all the simple joys that I often take for granted.
June 24, 2023
the most vulnerable have the most to teach us
Being a grandmother with my only granddaughter being born with Lenox Gastaut syndrome, this book
Expresses so many similarities of the horrific experiences and heartache and isolation and helplessness felt by families and of course , the innocent children. Thank you for putting into print what so many want to tell the world. I have bought two paperbacks to share with family, wish you all the best , healing , serenity , grace and compassion.
Being a grandmother with my only granddaughter being born with Lenox Gastaut syndrome, this book
Expresses so many similarities of the horrific experiences and heartache and isolation and helplessness felt by families and of course , the innocent children. Thank you for putting into print what so many want to tell the world. I have bought two paperbacks to share with family, wish you all the best , healing , serenity , grace and compassion.
October 24, 2020
Powerful witness of love and dedication!
This book is an honest description of Jenni Bash's life with her special needs daughter. Her description of their life and multitude of medical treatments they have been through as a family is honest, not sugar coated. Despite the challenges, Jenni is able to covey her love, admiration and total dedication to her daughter. Would recommend as it is well written and informative book.
This book is an honest description of Jenni Bash's life with her special needs daughter. Her description of their life and multitude of medical treatments they have been through as a family is honest, not sugar coated. Despite the challenges, Jenni is able to covey her love, admiration and total dedication to her daughter. Would recommend as it is well written and informative book.
October 29, 2020
I usually don't give 5 stars, but this one deserves it
Being a RN, I like reading these types of stories. Many talk about their naive, immature and unrealistic behavior throughout their or their childs illness. I understand through my own chronic illnesses and having medical needs children throughout their child years ago because of my health and the politics. Jenni has the newby deer in the headlights look too
Being a RN, I like reading these types of stories. Many talk about their naive, immature and unrealistic behavior throughout their or their childs illness. I understand through my own chronic illnesses and having medical needs children throughout their child years ago because of my health and the politics. Jenni has the newby deer in the headlights look too
October 20, 2020
Amazing
Her mum had so much faith in her and was / is her strongest advocate. This book taught me a lot. It's sad and uplifting and lots of emotions but I really appreciated the author's sense of humour. She never made out she was superwoman, although she comes pretty close imo!
Her mum had so much faith in her and was / is her strongest advocate. This book taught me a lot. It's sad and uplifting and lots of emotions but I really appreciated the author's sense of humour. She never made out she was superwoman, although she comes pretty close imo!
March 24, 2021
Inspiring
I have an autistic son who is now an adult, but my life with him is NOTHING compared to what the Basch family has dealt with. I can't even begin to imagine walking in their shoes. I appreciate Jenni's brutal honesty in sharing her feelings with the world. They all have my deepest admiration. I wish the Busch family, and especially Skye, only the best going forward.
I have an autistic son who is now an adult, but my life with him is NOTHING compared to what the Basch family has dealt with. I can't even begin to imagine walking in their shoes. I appreciate Jenni's brutal honesty in sharing her feelings with the world. They all have my deepest admiration. I wish the Busch family, and especially Skye, only the best going forward.
April 9, 2021
The medical information was interesting...
the story was not so much. Any special needs parent could have written it. The confessions were normal pretty much to special needs parent. Perhaps if I were the parent of a child without special needs it would have read differently to me. But since I am it just seemed normal. I read it in one day and it was an ok book.
the story was not so much. Any special needs parent could have written it. The confessions were normal pretty much to special needs parent. Perhaps if I were the parent of a child without special needs it would have read differently to me. But since I am it just seemed normal. I read it in one day and it was an ok book.
April 15, 2021
Fabulously straightforward
This memoir is a no-nonsense account of trying to balance everything the universe can throw, with a marvelous outcome. There is joy to be found even in the hardest of times-and people seriously need to go easier on those around them. I’m grateful for this book.
This memoir is a no-nonsense account of trying to balance everything the universe can throw, with a marvelous outcome. There is joy to be found even in the hardest of times-and people seriously need to go easier on those around them. I’m grateful for this book.
July 10, 2022
She read my mind!
This mom is awesome! Honest! Courageous! REAL! My daughter has Down’s Syndrome. Her symptoms and setbacks have seemed mountainous in the moment. Then we got through and got on with life. Jenni has expressed thoughts similar to mine and I’m sure other special needs moms. Thank you Jenni! You are right some people just don’t get it.
This mom is awesome! Honest! Courageous! REAL! My daughter has Down’s Syndrome. Her symptoms and setbacks have seemed mountainous in the moment. Then we got through and got on with life. Jenni has expressed thoughts similar to mine and I’m sure other special needs moms. Thank you Jenni! You are right some people just don’t get it.
November 14, 2022
I tend to agree with many of the reviews that this book was very difficult to get through. I struggle with explaining why because I have no right to judge the author's perspective, feelings and overall narrative of her unimaginable medical ordeal with her daughter. I tried to step back and look at the positives - it was raw and honest and pulled no punches. So, if this made the reading unenjoyable for us readers, that's our problem.
November 17, 2022
Fascinating
Very interesting reading. Jenny Bach's writings about her daughter kept me very interested in her daughter Skye. In Skye's survival and developments against all odds. How she and her Husband Adam handled all the crises and young son, Rowan at the same time. It is a fascinating story
Very interesting reading. Jenny Bach's writings about her daughter kept me very interested in her daughter Skye. In Skye's survival and developments against all odds. How she and her Husband Adam handled all the crises and young son, Rowan at the same time. It is a fascinating story
May 21, 2024
Excellent Read
I’ve only heard about children who have part of their brain removed.
And I’ve heard that the other half of the brain takes over and these children can learn. It was fascinating and super amazing that Skye was learning letters, colors and words to express herself.
Cheering for her as she continues her journey.
I’ve only heard about children who have part of their brain removed.
And I’ve heard that the other half of the brain takes over and these children can learn. It was fascinating and super amazing that Skye was learning letters, colors and words to express herself.
Cheering for her as she continues her journey.
March 17, 2025
I loved this book
This is an amazing read about the mother’s love for her daughter and shows just how much resilience and faith she needed to get her daughter through all the problems she was born with. I would love to read more about her and how her daughter is doing as she is growing up
This is an amazing read about the mother’s love for her daughter and shows just how much resilience and faith she needed to get her daughter through all the problems she was born with. I would love to read more about her and how her daughter is doing as she is growing up
May 29, 2020
Jenni’s honesty is beautiful and comforting. She doesn’t sugarcoat her experience or shy away from expressing her true feelings. I laughed, cried, and felt deep, deep admiration for Jenni and her family. Well done, JVP!!
June 3, 2020
Why
This a is about a family that has a child with several disables and she has to go through many surgeru. She has so many disables I want day them all and the stress and time they spend at therapy with her
This a is about a family that has a child with several disables and she has to go through many surgeru. She has so many disables I want day them all and the stress and time they spend at therapy with her
Read
July 29, 2020Unbelievable
This was an outstanding book
I never new one child could have so many disabilities.
Through it all the author preserved, to make things better for her daughter.
The author is one in a million!!!!
This was an outstanding book
I never new one child could have so many disabilities.
Through it all the author preserved, to make things better for her daughter.
The author is one in a million!!!!
January 28, 2021
Gives a voice
I enjoyed this book in the sense that I'm glad my eyes were opened to some of the struggles of special needs children and their parents. I know the author isn't looking for pity but that's the main emotion I had when I ended this book. Bless their whole family.
I enjoyed this book in the sense that I'm glad my eyes were opened to some of the struggles of special needs children and their parents. I know the author isn't looking for pity but that's the main emotion I had when I ended this book. Bless their whole family.
May 5, 2021
Wonderful Mom
Her true love for Skye is felt throughout this book. I could feel her tears and exhaustion, her confusion with difficult choices and the joy watching her daughter laugh and just be.
Her true love for Skye is felt throughout this book. I could feel her tears and exhaustion, her confusion with difficult choices and the joy watching her daughter laugh and just be.
June 7, 2021
Solid writing keeps you invested
This writer did a nice job of putting everything out there for the reader. She seemed to be painfully honest about her life with a disabled child. She is also a pretty decent writer! I would recommend!
This writer did a nice job of putting everything out there for the reader. She seemed to be painfully honest about her life with a disabled child. She is also a pretty decent writer! I would recommend!
July 19, 2021
A mother’s story of having to make agonizing medical decisions for her severely disabled daughter, and the joys and frustrations associated with raising her. The author is a good writer and very pragmatic. Her perspective is enlightening. I liked this book very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews