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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent
Whether your child was born with special needs or developed them following illness or injury, you walk a hard road as a special needs parent.With a child born with heart challenges and then severely brain injured at eight months old, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon weaves her powerful story and experiences with observations and strategies that support a hopeful future in Lighting the Path.Leaving no stone unturned, Marcia reduces the anxiety felt by many special needs parents by helping them through the most commonly faced circumstances- processing their new reality, skill development, career balance, financial planning, medical practitioners, appointments, therapies, caregivers, health, maintaining care for all family members, self-care, the rapid firing of emotions from isolation to judgement, and more—all with the goal to provide hope and support so you don’t have to walk this path alone.If you’re facing many unknowns in your special needs journey, Lighting the Path combines compassion with a wealth of ideas and actions to help you build a better future for yourself and your entire family.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2021
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 1, 2021
4.5 Stars
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a helpful guide for parents/caregivers of special needs children. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon has travelled the hard road, with a special needs daughter, and having experienced the fear, emotional upheaval, not knowing where to turn, or how to cope- this book is easy to read and understand, and is full of advice, guidance, tips, and other very useful information to help you not feel so ‘alone’ in your journey.
“My wish is that this book gives you the comfort of knowing you are not alone. Others, including us, have walked the path too, and I want to share some of our experiences and takeaways and hope with you. I’ll share some of the emotional journeys we have traversed, recount how we dealt with them, and recommend some exercises that could be of use to you and your family. Dealing with feelings of being judged by others, blaming ourselves, feeling abandoned and isolated, feeling angry and overwhelmed and hopeless are just some of the negative emotions explored in the chapters ahead.”
The book is quite comprehensive, covering many concerns that may arise. The topics discussed are:
Acknowledging What Happened
Coping with the Situation Today
Managing Aloneness and Isolation
Clarifying Your Powerful Vision
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Shaping At-Home Interventions
Supporting Your Other Children
Bolstering Your Love Relationship
Boosting Your Health
Improving Your Financial Situation
Celebrating Your Resilience
Helpful must read for special needs parents and caregivers.
Thank you, Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon!
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a helpful guide for parents/caregivers of special needs children. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon has travelled the hard road, with a special needs daughter, and having experienced the fear, emotional upheaval, not knowing where to turn, or how to cope- this book is easy to read and understand, and is full of advice, guidance, tips, and other very useful information to help you not feel so ‘alone’ in your journey.
“My wish is that this book gives you the comfort of knowing you are not alone. Others, including us, have walked the path too, and I want to share some of our experiences and takeaways and hope with you. I’ll share some of the emotional journeys we have traversed, recount how we dealt with them, and recommend some exercises that could be of use to you and your family. Dealing with feelings of being judged by others, blaming ourselves, feeling abandoned and isolated, feeling angry and overwhelmed and hopeless are just some of the negative emotions explored in the chapters ahead.”
The book is quite comprehensive, covering many concerns that may arise. The topics discussed are:
Acknowledging What Happened
Coping with the Situation Today
Managing Aloneness and Isolation
Clarifying Your Powerful Vision
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Shaping At-Home Interventions
Supporting Your Other Children
Bolstering Your Love Relationship
Boosting Your Health
Improving Your Financial Situation
Celebrating Your Resilience
Helpful must read for special needs parents and caregivers.
Thank you, Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon!
June 2, 2021
I believe “Lighting the Path” will gather a wide readership and be of great benefit to special needs families. I also believe that anyone, in any family, will find great advice and insight, as well as those moving through life on their own will appreciate the deeply conscious and empowering options. There is much clarity regarding struggle for people to relate to personally, as well as wisdom to overcome the hardships.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I read most of it in one day, as it pulled me in with real wisdom and true heart. I want to share that I believe readers will consume the entire book quickly, even ravenously! The valuable information is filled with empathy and experience. There is a true invitation to readers to embark on a journey to the light as each chapter pulls you in and forward with most every section.
I believe parents will return many times to reference the chapters that arise when circumstances call for Dr. Marcia’s helpful suggestions, based on her own navigation through similar experiences.
I was struck many times with how difficult reaching out is and possibly remains for parents of special needs children, including. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon. Some readers may have greater support or be less shy, but in all cases I think people will relate to and be so grateful for her nurturing hand reaching out to them in the darkest of times to provide support, as well as friendship and Light!
You will find Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent will become one of your essential resources.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I read most of it in one day, as it pulled me in with real wisdom and true heart. I want to share that I believe readers will consume the entire book quickly, even ravenously! The valuable information is filled with empathy and experience. There is a true invitation to readers to embark on a journey to the light as each chapter pulls you in and forward with most every section.
I believe parents will return many times to reference the chapters that arise when circumstances call for Dr. Marcia’s helpful suggestions, based on her own navigation through similar experiences.
I was struck many times with how difficult reaching out is and possibly remains for parents of special needs children, including. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon. Some readers may have greater support or be less shy, but in all cases I think people will relate to and be so grateful for her nurturing hand reaching out to them in the darkest of times to provide support, as well as friendship and Light!
You will find Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent will become one of your essential resources.
June 16, 2021
This book is an inspiring collection of experiences, thoughts, feelings and emotions centred around life with a special needs child. It is a life of struggle, hardship, ups and downs but overall rewards as you see them flourish despite their many challenges they face. Marcia Nathai-Balkisson talks about all these things and more, as she explores life before and after the birth of her second child Emma in Trinidad and Tobago, where she lives with her husband, Emma and her first born some Brian. She talks about the challenges she has faced and how she has overcome some and is working on overcoming the rest, as each chapter focuses on a different subject, it is a compendium of information, hints, tips, experiences, and advice, with a checklist at the end of the important things to be taken away from that particular chapter, but it is not just for those in the same situation as she is, there are things within this book that anyone can take on board and use in their own lives.
The book starts with the story of Emma’s birth and the defects they found which led to the need for open heart surgery as she grew and the complications which arose because of it, leaving her brain damaged, her mobility and motility reduced, as well as experiencing pain, spasms and a high sensitivity to touch. The book progresses through Emma’s life, explaining her challenges between that age and the age of nine when the book was written. It then moves on to explain how important it is to acknowledge what happened, acknowledge how it made you feel at the time and acknowledge what changes have had to be made and what needs to be done now. The next talks about coping with the situation and the need to take it day by day, task by task and finding what the single most important thing to achieve on that day is, how important self care is to staying healthy in order to be able to support your family and yourself, how to relieve stress and how essential it is to start the day in the right way, it also explains how these things can impact on the child and their stress levels if not done properly. There is also a section on planning for the future, both immediate and in the years ahead, this includes financially, personally and familially, some of which is expanded on further into the book.
One key thing is on how to recognise isolation and loneliness, how to recognise the signs of it and how to reduce it, it talks about relationships with family and friends, how they can grow and diminish, as well and what it takes to maintain them, how to deal with your feelings and how important connections can be, even if they are only on the internet and especially within support groups, as well as the importance of sharing your story with them. It also looks at how to create your vision for the future, how to connect it with your emotions and then the importance of looking back on it and updating it on a yearly basis to see just how far you have come, even if you don’t realise it at the time. The next section focuses on spirituality and how this can support you in your darkest times, as well as the need for research into what interventions can be done at home to improve the development of your child, as well as finding the right medical professionals and therapists who you can fully work with knowing they see things from your perspective, trusting your intuition and being your own advocate when you go to speak with them. Learn all you can about other children with the same medical and developmental issues, but don't forget about any other children in the family and ensure that you still take time to show them you love them in the way best suited to them, keep looking at their development and help them as much as your special needs child and prepare for their future just as much as the other child too.
Another important thing is to keep your own and your families health at optimum levels and take the same care that you would with your child, look at nutrition, sleep and emotional resilience, as well as financial security and how to keep a balance between work, play, caring duties and your own physical and mental health, make shared decisions and compromise where you need to, do not neglect yourself or your partner and celebrate what you have achieved regularly. Make sure that the little milestones are recorded and acknowledged, celebrate how far you have come, this will help in the future when the challenging times rear their heads, which will happen.
All in all this book is full of useful information and experiences, but it does not replace medical or legal advice.
The book starts with the story of Emma’s birth and the defects they found which led to the need for open heart surgery as she grew and the complications which arose because of it, leaving her brain damaged, her mobility and motility reduced, as well as experiencing pain, spasms and a high sensitivity to touch. The book progresses through Emma’s life, explaining her challenges between that age and the age of nine when the book was written. It then moves on to explain how important it is to acknowledge what happened, acknowledge how it made you feel at the time and acknowledge what changes have had to be made and what needs to be done now. The next talks about coping with the situation and the need to take it day by day, task by task and finding what the single most important thing to achieve on that day is, how important self care is to staying healthy in order to be able to support your family and yourself, how to relieve stress and how essential it is to start the day in the right way, it also explains how these things can impact on the child and their stress levels if not done properly. There is also a section on planning for the future, both immediate and in the years ahead, this includes financially, personally and familially, some of which is expanded on further into the book.
One key thing is on how to recognise isolation and loneliness, how to recognise the signs of it and how to reduce it, it talks about relationships with family and friends, how they can grow and diminish, as well and what it takes to maintain them, how to deal with your feelings and how important connections can be, even if they are only on the internet and especially within support groups, as well as the importance of sharing your story with them. It also looks at how to create your vision for the future, how to connect it with your emotions and then the importance of looking back on it and updating it on a yearly basis to see just how far you have come, even if you don’t realise it at the time. The next section focuses on spirituality and how this can support you in your darkest times, as well as the need for research into what interventions can be done at home to improve the development of your child, as well as finding the right medical professionals and therapists who you can fully work with knowing they see things from your perspective, trusting your intuition and being your own advocate when you go to speak with them. Learn all you can about other children with the same medical and developmental issues, but don't forget about any other children in the family and ensure that you still take time to show them you love them in the way best suited to them, keep looking at their development and help them as much as your special needs child and prepare for their future just as much as the other child too.
Another important thing is to keep your own and your families health at optimum levels and take the same care that you would with your child, look at nutrition, sleep and emotional resilience, as well as financial security and how to keep a balance between work, play, caring duties and your own physical and mental health, make shared decisions and compromise where you need to, do not neglect yourself or your partner and celebrate what you have achieved regularly. Make sure that the little milestones are recorded and acknowledged, celebrate how far you have come, this will help in the future when the challenging times rear their heads, which will happen.
All in all this book is full of useful information and experiences, but it does not replace medical or legal advice.
November 28, 2021
A wonderful book of unselfish love, acceptance, resilience, positive attitude, inspiring wisdom......LIGHTING THE PATH. Can’t miss it!
I absolutely enjoyed reaching this most touching true-story book. It thrilled me immensely and I felt I was immersed into the life of the author Marcia, a brave, amazing mother who lovingly takes care of her wonderful children. I was pulled tight into the book from the very start and couldn’t stop reading it. In the Preface, from “(eight-month old) Emma began bleeding out.......flatlined (i.e. her heart stopped) for twenty minutes that night.......Emma’s heart restarted.” till “Today, Emma is nine years old” delivered me through a plethora of different emotions (up and down, shocked and calm......) navigating along the journey. I felt as if I were with Marcia and her family in the ICU till today. It sounds as though it is from a movie plot but every detail is real!
Marcia’s intimate writing style makes you feel she is talking with you, as a friend of hers. She outlines how she went through the journey with unselfish love, acceptance, resilience, positive attitude to face obstacles and tackle hardships such as managing aloneness and isolation, bolstering love relationship with her significant other, supporting her two children, improving financial situation and tackling health concerns. It seems as though you are in her house to witness what happened vividly every day.
“Never discount the value of your own instincts!” in the chapter “Shaping At-Home Interventions” OPENED my eyes! Emma was once diagnosed by the medical officer as a little baby girl with brain-injury which resulted in the loss of all five of her senses. To my dismay, she was deemed as hopeless! While taking care of Emma, Marcia shared how she used her own instincts to devise different sensation approaches to cope with until one day “few years later”, she discovered that “Emma is definitely NOT blind!” (My mouth dropped wide open when I reached that part.) How a sudden big joy! It is really another peak in the book. Well done, Marcia! I found that Marcia’s perseverant attitude really lights up hopes and encouragement to the parents of special needs children.
This book is indeed full of many inspirations and wisdoms. It is very well-organised. I trust that not only special needs families find it as a useful toolkit, but also for ordinary people, reminding us to encounter everyday life challenges with a positive attitude - don’t blame it, face it and go forward, as I perceived. I would like to share one of Marcia’s sayings in the book, “Where attention goes, results grow.” The checklist at the end of each chapter does always remind us of different aspects worth paying attention to, together with practical advices and ways to tackle hardships. It is truly a pleasant and helpful feature of the book. I take it as a gift!
A powerful story of Marcia’s staggering ordeals does LIGHT THE PATH with guidance, suggestions and hopes for any parent with special needs child. Overall, what I perceived from the book is -
Be brave,
Once accepted and committed, move forward, focused and determined.
Leaning into a Hopeful Future as you envisioned.
Dr Marcia Nathai Balkissoon, I am proud of you. You are a great mom!
I absolutely enjoyed reaching this most touching true-story book. It thrilled me immensely and I felt I was immersed into the life of the author Marcia, a brave, amazing mother who lovingly takes care of her wonderful children. I was pulled tight into the book from the very start and couldn’t stop reading it. In the Preface, from “(eight-month old) Emma began bleeding out.......flatlined (i.e. her heart stopped) for twenty minutes that night.......Emma’s heart restarted.” till “Today, Emma is nine years old” delivered me through a plethora of different emotions (up and down, shocked and calm......) navigating along the journey. I felt as if I were with Marcia and her family in the ICU till today. It sounds as though it is from a movie plot but every detail is real!
Marcia’s intimate writing style makes you feel she is talking with you, as a friend of hers. She outlines how she went through the journey with unselfish love, acceptance, resilience, positive attitude to face obstacles and tackle hardships such as managing aloneness and isolation, bolstering love relationship with her significant other, supporting her two children, improving financial situation and tackling health concerns. It seems as though you are in her house to witness what happened vividly every day.
“Never discount the value of your own instincts!” in the chapter “Shaping At-Home Interventions” OPENED my eyes! Emma was once diagnosed by the medical officer as a little baby girl with brain-injury which resulted in the loss of all five of her senses. To my dismay, she was deemed as hopeless! While taking care of Emma, Marcia shared how she used her own instincts to devise different sensation approaches to cope with until one day “few years later”, she discovered that “Emma is definitely NOT blind!” (My mouth dropped wide open when I reached that part.) How a sudden big joy! It is really another peak in the book. Well done, Marcia! I found that Marcia’s perseverant attitude really lights up hopes and encouragement to the parents of special needs children.
This book is indeed full of many inspirations and wisdoms. It is very well-organised. I trust that not only special needs families find it as a useful toolkit, but also for ordinary people, reminding us to encounter everyday life challenges with a positive attitude - don’t blame it, face it and go forward, as I perceived. I would like to share one of Marcia’s sayings in the book, “Where attention goes, results grow.” The checklist at the end of each chapter does always remind us of different aspects worth paying attention to, together with practical advices and ways to tackle hardships. It is truly a pleasant and helpful feature of the book. I take it as a gift!
A powerful story of Marcia’s staggering ordeals does LIGHT THE PATH with guidance, suggestions and hopes for any parent with special needs child. Overall, what I perceived from the book is -
Be brave,
Once accepted and committed, move forward, focused and determined.
Leaning into a Hopeful Future as you envisioned.
Dr Marcia Nathai Balkissoon, I am proud of you. You are a great mom!
June 16, 2021
5 Stars
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent is a wonderful yet very emotional book that broke my heart . As a care giver or even a parent of a special needs child there are many circumstances you face. This author gives us incredible insight and suggestions on how to handle them. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling very overwhelmed with dealing with situations this book gives helpful information on how to handle them as well. You can feel how much love and pain this author went through with every page of this book. I pretty much used a box of kleenex as my emotions were extremely high. God Bless all parents and care givers along with anyone who is involved in the caring for a child/ adult of a special needs. It’s the hardest yet most rewarding job you will ever face. This author made it easy to understand as she experienced everything she wrote about . So rather you have a special needs child or you know someone who does I highly recommend reading this book.
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent is a wonderful yet very emotional book that broke my heart . As a care giver or even a parent of a special needs child there are many circumstances you face. This author gives us incredible insight and suggestions on how to handle them. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling very overwhelmed with dealing with situations this book gives helpful information on how to handle them as well. You can feel how much love and pain this author went through with every page of this book. I pretty much used a box of kleenex as my emotions were extremely high. God Bless all parents and care givers along with anyone who is involved in the caring for a child/ adult of a special needs. It’s the hardest yet most rewarding job you will ever face. This author made it easy to understand as she experienced everything she wrote about . So rather you have a special needs child or you know someone who does I highly recommend reading this book.
June 6, 2021
Lighting The Path
Leaning into a Hopeful
Future as a Special Needs Parent
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
☆☆☆☆☆
This may be one of books that help a parent with special needs children, not feel so lost and even answer some unasked questions. Full length and loaded with information for parents as well as siblings. I found this book to be very informative and only wish this came out when my sister was born. I hear quite a few children are lost in the process of parents who struggle with everyday challenges. But when you add injury or illnesses to the mix. All they knew goes right out the window. This is a Must Read!
Thank you Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon. You have put some great information out there for all to read. As a sibling to a special needs sister, I'd say this book is spot on. It thrills me to see such a great book. This story is well written and a fast paced book. One I will be sure to have all my friends take time to read this jewel. Well Done Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon! WELL DONE.
Leaning into a Hopeful
Future as a Special Needs Parent
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
☆☆☆☆☆
This may be one of books that help a parent with special needs children, not feel so lost and even answer some unasked questions. Full length and loaded with information for parents as well as siblings. I found this book to be very informative and only wish this came out when my sister was born. I hear quite a few children are lost in the process of parents who struggle with everyday challenges. But when you add injury or illnesses to the mix. All they knew goes right out the window. This is a Must Read!
Thank you Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon. You have put some great information out there for all to read. As a sibling to a special needs sister, I'd say this book is spot on. It thrills me to see such a great book. This story is well written and a fast paced book. One I will be sure to have all my friends take time to read this jewel. Well Done Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon! WELL DONE.
June 8, 2021
This book really hit home for me. I am a special needs parent; I have special needs myself and I was raised in a special need’s environment before and after my adoption. It takes a lot of love, and strength to not only watch your child go through their trials and tribulations, but to feel it and go through it with them, with your own guilts and fears hand in hand. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon embodied this throughout her entire book, giving her readers a look not just into her life, but into her soul. I applaud the author for her willingness to share her story and empower others in life who are struggling, whether it is in silence or not. There are many take away from this book that I choose to live with in my life now, thanks to Marcia, you can choose one or you can choose many, and one of them for me is to always remember not to give up and to have hope. Does this mean that this book needs to be read by only special needs parents or people with special needs? No, it does not.
August 11, 2021
Whether reading this book because your family includes a special needs child, or because you are wanting to be supportive of other families, this book is a must have resource.
In addition to being a source of inspiration, insights and practical tips, the book itself is a warm embrace. The book made me feel I was standing at times in the room with Marcia. As I stand there, I am now being a party to Marcia's thoughts, on the many tough occasions shared.
Marcia is actively 'rooting for' the reader. Which is not only providing support, it is a real aid to the isolation that can be felt in challenging times.
It was heart breaking to read about Emma's condition and the things she and her family have gone through. From this pain comes strength and hope, which does indeed ‘light the path’ for families with a special needs child.
#OprahTrinidad&TobagoIsCalling
#OprahTrinidadIsCalling
#MarciaNBAuthor
In addition to being a source of inspiration, insights and practical tips, the book itself is a warm embrace. The book made me feel I was standing at times in the room with Marcia. As I stand there, I am now being a party to Marcia's thoughts, on the many tough occasions shared.
Marcia is actively 'rooting for' the reader. Which is not only providing support, it is a real aid to the isolation that can be felt in challenging times.
It was heart breaking to read about Emma's condition and the things she and her family have gone through. From this pain comes strength and hope, which does indeed ‘light the path’ for families with a special needs child.
#OprahTrinidad&TobagoIsCalling
#OprahTrinidadIsCalling
#MarciaNBAuthor
June 3, 2021
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
4-stars
This is a wonderful resource for parents of a special needs child, as well as, a good resource for any parent in any given situation! This author had me in absolute tears while reading her personal story, though her story is heart wrenching it also had me feeling so inspired and hopeful. The love that this mom has for her daughter can be felt through the beautiful words she wrote and I loved that.
My children are not special needs; however, I still feel like I was able to take away so many lessons from this book. It really puts things into perspective and I love her checklists, because they can be applied to any parenting situation.
I would highly recommend this book to any parent looking for any sort of guidance. It’s a wonderful read full of valuable information.
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
4-stars
This is a wonderful resource for parents of a special needs child, as well as, a good resource for any parent in any given situation! This author had me in absolute tears while reading her personal story, though her story is heart wrenching it also had me feeling so inspired and hopeful. The love that this mom has for her daughter can be felt through the beautiful words she wrote and I loved that.
My children are not special needs; however, I still feel like I was able to take away so many lessons from this book. It really puts things into perspective and I love her checklists, because they can be applied to any parenting situation.
I would highly recommend this book to any parent looking for any sort of guidance. It’s a wonderful read full of valuable information.
June 8, 2021
This book is amazing and touched my heart completely. As a mother with a healthy child I can only imagine the pain and heartache that accompanies a child with special needs. Marcia is incredibly brave opening herself wide open in this book, describing not only all her pain and feelings about the things her and her family have gone through but also providing practical steps and guidance for any parent going through the same thing.
This book is heartbreaking to read about Emma's condition but also inspiring and full of hope at her parents strength and determination to give her the best life possible. This book is a must read for any parent who has a special needs child or for anyone who has connections to a special needs child because this helps explain a lot of things. The story of Emma and her family has touched my heart and is one I will never forget.
This book is heartbreaking to read about Emma's condition but also inspiring and full of hope at her parents strength and determination to give her the best life possible. This book is a must read for any parent who has a special needs child or for anyone who has connections to a special needs child because this helps explain a lot of things. The story of Emma and her family has touched my heart and is one I will never forget.
June 11, 2021
Lighting the Path by Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a book that I will never forget reading. She took me on a journey of life with a special needs child, She is a parent of a special needs child. She gives great ideas of who, what, where, and how to deal with a journey with a special needs child. I took this story to be a great guide to assist anyone who has a special needs child(ren) in their life. Her journey with Emma and her ups and downs. She gives great resource information so that you do not feel alone in the journey. There are a lot of emotions not only the caregiver go through but the other members of the family. I finished this book in one sitting and had to have kleenex next to me. I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who wants to understand what the family unit endures. Thank you Dr. Marcia for your wonderful story.
June 1, 2021
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a brilliant book that is not only emotional but also insightful. The author is a special needs parent and has used her experience to try and help others navigate the tough situation they face. I have never been in the position of those this book is aimed at and yet I still found myself drawn in by the author and her own journey.
I thought the book did a great job explaining everything in simple, easy to understand terms which I can imagine is something needed in the circumstance. As the author had been through this herself everything she was writing had a greater depth behind it. This is a brilliant book that I think is a really helpful tool and is definitely worth the reading time.
I thought the book did a great job explaining everything in simple, easy to understand terms which I can imagine is something needed in the circumstance. As the author had been through this herself everything she was writing had a greater depth behind it. This is a brilliant book that I think is a really helpful tool and is definitely worth the reading time.
June 7, 2021
What I found most amazing is that although I am not a special needs parent, I found such value in this book. While there are some poignant how-to strategies that the author shares from her own life experience, it is the messages of hope, perseverance, and belief in the seemingly impossible that catapults it into the a higher level of application for all people. The vulnerability that the author demonstrates is admirable and therefore, she draws the reader in with personal accounts and real explanations of the challenges as well as the triumphs. At many points the reader is left wondering how her family bore so much, but instantly we see ourselves in her story and are made aware that we too can lean into a hopeful future.
June 8, 2021
Never have I felt less alone as a parent of special needs children! Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon takes you on a beautiful, emotional journey as she tells her daughter’s story and offers resources for her readers with every chapter. It felt more like having a conversation with a friend than reading a book! I was drawn in and it was hard to put it down. Though tears were shed along the way, I walked away feeling more at peace and hopeful for my path moving forward. Anyone who is a parent of a special needs child, or anyone who is a caretaker at all could benefit from this book! Whether you are new to being a caretaker, or someone experienced, Marcia has something to offer. It is truly a gift from the author to the world. I will be keeping it close by to read again and again!
June 14, 2021
Lighting the Path is a beautifully honest account of what it is truly like to walk in the shoes of a special needs parent, caring for a child with significant challenges. Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon gives a glimpse of what life is like while caring for a child affected by a severe brain injury. This book provides guidance to parents facing similar challenges in their families, from someone who has walked this path. Despite all the challenges, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon finds joy in the simple moments, and through this, provides hope to others. This book is a must read for parents on a similar journey, raising a child with unique challenges.
June 15, 2021
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is an emotional read. Marcia shares her heart and soul and a life of having a special needs child. She tells of the fear, the unknown, the pain and loss and not having the support and advice and trying to navigate the new situation she found herself in. She has written this book t be able to share her experiences, dreams and hopes that it will help someone else on their journey to a new reality and strange new world.
The gift Marcia has given to share her heartbreaking story is immeasurable.
The gift Marcia has given to share her heartbreaking story is immeasurable.
June 17, 2021
I wish I had this book years ago when our special needs journey started. Its very isolating and all you want is someone in your corner saying you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing and no ones path is exactly the same.
As a mother of a special needs child this hit home and gave a voice to thoughts ive had for 13 years. Reading about her and her daughters journey felt like talking with a friend.
I recommend this to anyone even if you dont have this journey to walk yourself, chances are you know someone or you will and this helps open your eyes to many things we go through and how you can just be there
As a mother of a special needs child this hit home and gave a voice to thoughts ive had for 13 years. Reading about her and her daughters journey felt like talking with a friend.
I recommend this to anyone even if you dont have this journey to walk yourself, chances are you know someone or you will and this helps open your eyes to many things we go through and how you can just be there
June 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book. This is a book that I can relate to being a special needs parent myself. The author talks about having to face different circumstances and how to face them head on. This is a helpful book to those who are feeling overwhelmed by their child or the feeling of hopelessness. This author does a great job in descriptions that are understandable and easily done by another. I enjoyed how this book is written with heart and hope for a parent who feels stuck. It is worth the pick up for sure. I highly recommend this book.
June 8, 2021
This book is an excellent resource for special needs families and anyone that is interested in learning more about special needs children. The book presents an honest and real view of the grief and day to day challenges encountered when raising special needs children. However it ultimately highlights the gift that special needs children are and the joy they bring by just being themselves. If you want to learn and develop a compassionate heart toward people and see the world from a new perspective, I highly recommend this book.
June 3, 2021
A brilliant book for anyone who faces a challenge that seems a little bit too big.
The author brings up endless tough experiences and her honest reflections on them.
I really enjoyed deep thoughts and open suggestions on changing the framing we put on our situations…
A perfect read for special needs parents as well as people who feel overwhelmed by other life challenges and are looking for hope.
The author brings up endless tough experiences and her honest reflections on them.
I really enjoyed deep thoughts and open suggestions on changing the framing we put on our situations…
A perfect read for special needs parents as well as people who feel overwhelmed by other life challenges and are looking for hope.
June 4, 2021
This book had me with just the title till you tune into what’s being written within the book. Once you learn to take in all the knowledge from the doctor but also apply it to your daily life. The detail-oriented lessons from life and approaching special needs is very helpful and gives the reader a better understanding for the way we treat special needs children or just special needs in general. This book is impressive and incredibly written for readers and parents alike.
June 4, 2021
The writing of the author is super clear- insightful and compassionate. Amazing, actually. The book is designed to be of support to those who encounter the challenges of being a parent to a special needs child. The value of this book, though, goes far beyond. That's because the author, Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon, has walked with courage and dignity through floodwaters and sometimes fire, and there is just so much of HUMAN truth and depth that she shares- with generosity. Read it!
June 16, 2021
If you, or someone you love, are/is taking care of a someone with special needs this book can be incredibly helpful. The author uses her personal experience to give you insight on how to navigate this world. As someone who has a special needs family member resulting from a car accident, I know my parents could have used this information years ago. Even if this isn't your story, you can learn how to better help a friend or loved one with this book.
January 24, 2025
This book should be given to any parents in the hospital who are suddenly dealing with anything unexpected and immensely hard regarding their children. It is a beautiful and inspiring reminder of the choices we do get to make as we move through our lives, even when there is so much that we can’t control. I am deeply impressed by Marcia Nathan-Balkissoon and how she was so persistent and creative in her love for her daughter. She is a model for all parents of kids with special needs.
June 11, 2021
When is say that this book rings true, boy does it ever. My heart needed this book than I even realized. As a parent of a child with special needs I truly appreciated the perspective the author shared. To be reminder that you aren’t alone truly has so much value. This book is one that everyone should read. For perspective. For validation. Just truly wonderful.
June 8, 2021
This made me cry straight away as a mother I feel for the parents my heart in my mouth. I cannot applaud these parents enough for how they went through every hurdle and hoop with Emma. I feel so emotional reading this it hard to put it into words.
August 26, 2021
Walk with Marcia and her family as you take a leap of faith as a special needs parent, caregiver or not. Lighting the Path will guide you to incorporate healing habits in your life. Her story will help you grab hold of grace realizing happiness may be found even in times of complete despair.
June 7, 2021
Lighting the Path, by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a book I would recommend for everyone.
That's right, not just someone who takes care of a special needs child, but EVERYONE.
I do not have a special needs child, am not a caretaker of one, and do not want to be a
teacher. However, having a special needs child is my biggest fear. I'm afraid I won't
know what to do and will basically be a terrible parent.
After reading this book, I feel so much better. I think this opens the eyes of strangers to
really see what a parent goes through when they have a child with a disability. Dr. Marcia
is really making a difference with this book, and I am so thankful for her.
That's right, not just someone who takes care of a special needs child, but EVERYONE.
I do not have a special needs child, am not a caretaker of one, and do not want to be a
teacher. However, having a special needs child is my biggest fear. I'm afraid I won't
know what to do and will basically be a terrible parent.
After reading this book, I feel so much better. I think this opens the eyes of strangers to
really see what a parent goes through when they have a child with a disability. Dr. Marcia
is really making a difference with this book, and I am so thankful for her.
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