2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

As a paraprofessional, I work closely with students who have various learning and social disabilities, so I have a good grasp of working with these students on an academic level. I hope this book will give me an eye opening glimpse of how families and parents care for intellectually impaired children, beyond the scope of academics.

I found myself getting more and more annoyed with the author when I read this. It's probably my fault that I missed the subtitle of the book as being "spiritual". There were just too many weird coincidences and fantastical visions that happened to her. Now this description could have been added to boost sales, but I was starting to roll my eyes every time she described hearing voices, or being able to see what her husband was doing over in Singapore. I also thought the way she referred to her "retarded son" was in poor taste. I know a few years ago, this word was still commonly used. But working in special education, I cringe when I hear people use it. That being said, it was a very honest glimpse of her emotions as she copes with having a son with Down Syndrome, as well as the peer pressure she got from her family and Harvard community (the latter of which is painted in a grotesque light). 2/5