He Has Up Syndrome Not Down Syndrome

Caroline Jean Brandt

He Has Up Syndrome Not Down Syndrome
Editions:Paperback: $ 18.99
ISBN: 1413760414
Pages: 61
This is a true story that will touch your heart in a way you have never before experienced. A grandmother, mother and daughter—these I had to be to tell this story of my Up Syndrome grandson and the tears, laughs and smiles that he has brought to the lives of many. It’s about how my family overcame the obstacles they encountered with their gift of a wonderful child.
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Reviews:Carrie Fran on Amazon wrote:

Very touching story about a family dealing with a Down Syndrome child. Reads very well and fast.. The author is very honest in her writi

Maria on Amazon wrote:

This book tells of a grandmother's reaction to the birth and ongoing life of a down syndrome boy. I bought it in the expectation of learning something useful about another person's view of this syndrome. I was very disappointed as the book was very slight, ill written, and I learnt nothing of the little boy himself. His fears and pleasures and his joy or sadness in life were not touched on. I admire the grandmother's desire to share her experiences but for me they were too closely focused on herself . Basically when you could forgive the poor writing , the book was dull. I also have a grandson with the same syndrome and I learnt nothing new here.

Jeff Nielson on Goodreads wrote:

As a brother and a father to someone with Down Syndrome I am biased about these people-this book is an enjoyable read about the journey of acceptance-


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Reasons to Smile, 2nd Edition: Celebrating People with Down Syndrome around the World

Andrea Knauss (Editor), Elizabeth Martins (Editor), Keith Harris (Foreword)

Reasons to Smile, 2nd Edition Celebrating People with Down Syndrome around the World
Editions:Hardcover - Second Edition: $ 14.99
ISBN: 0764364626
Pages: 128
This updated edition offers 15 new, candid, and true stories from people across the world celebrating the lives of people living with Down syndrome. With over 50 short writings, along with “slice of life” photos, these pieces share wisdom, encouragement, connection, and joy. Parents, families, and friends of children living with Down syndrome will discover a wealth of positivity and valuable guidance. Special-education teachers, social workers, mental health professionals, and policymakers will find helpful information and insight from stories regarding behavioral health. And anyone who is looking to learn more about Down syndrome will discover a world full of possibilities they never knew existed.
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Don’t Be Sorry: Further Adventures Bringing Up a Son with Down Syndrome

Sarah Roberts

Don't Be Sorry Further Adventures Bringing Up a Son with Down Syndrome
Editions:Kindle: $ 9.47

‘A searingly honest account of her journey, from heartbreak to joy’ Daily Mail

Sarah’s first book, For the Love of Oscar, tells the story of her first child Oscar’s birth, his postnatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome and his adventures up to the age of four. Don’t Be Sorry continues Oscar’s story, from age four to nine.

It covers Oscar’s life in a local mainstream infant school, with all its challenges and triumphs, including friendships and how the other children respond to Oscar. Sarah describes her struggles navigating medical appointments and hospital admissions, all the while maintaining her mission gently to educate others. There are many preconceived ideas and misconceptions about what it means to have a child like Oscar in one’s life.

Sarah’s story is one for any parent; it is not just about the highs and lows of having a child with additional needs, but also simply as a mum of three. She talks candidly about coming to terms with the decision to move Oscar to a SEN (Special Educational Needs) school, another big milestone in Oscar’s young life.

Whilst Sarah may have found herself on a different path to the one she’d imagined for herself, it has not been a bad one. There is sadness, certainly; and there have been struggles along the way; but there has been so much laughter and happiness, too.

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For The Love of Oscar: Bringing Up a Son with Down Syndrome

Sarah Roberts

For The Love of Oscar Bringing Up a Son with Down Syndrome
Editions:Kindle: $ 4.99
Pages: 208
Paperback: $ 13.39
ISBN: 1913543129
An open and honest account of a first-time mum, except things for Sarah didn't pan out the way she imagined they would. When Oscar was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth, Sarah had to come to terms with her new normal. How, for a while, she grieved for the baby she always believed and hoped she'd have and how she suddenly found herself on a different path to the one she'd always seen herself on. For the Love of Oscar will take you on a journey of the very raw and real emotions she experienced, a journey both heart-warming and funny in parts. She talks candidly about the ups and downs of not only parenthood but also parenting a child who happens to have additional needs. About people's attitudes towards her and her child and the ridiculous things some say. She talks about the choices she faced when she made the decision she'd like to go on and have more children. The hospital appointments, the therapy sessions, the mountains of paperwork, the tantrums, the tears and the really stinky nappies.
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Reviews:Bobbi Olivett on Amazon wrote:

I have followed Sarah's blog and facebook page for a few years. I have a little boy with Down Syndrome and Sarah's honest stories about her experience raising Oscar are wonderful. It is nice to have her share with the world how wonderful having a child with Down syndrome really is. She has touched so many lives and is an inspiration to many.

K. L. Willard on Amazon wrote:

I’ve followed Sarah’s blog on Facebook for a few years now and I absolute love her honest posts so when she announced this book, I pretty much preordered it immediately.

There are many aspects of this book that I look. It’s just as honest as I’d hoped it would be, but I can’t help but be disappointed with the number of typos and errors in the book. They really drew me out of reading and in some cases left me a tad confused as to what was meant to be said (probably in part due to my dyslexia). If this was just a few isolated incidents in the book it wouldn’t be such an issue but unfortunately they are far too common here:

Kayleigh on Goodreads wrote:

Cried and laughed multiple times while reading this book. My son is four and autistic but I could relate to so much of this mums story. The feelings after diagnosis, the exhaustion of bringing up a child with additional needs, the stress, the worry, trying to get them into the right school, dealing with ignorant people, feeling alone when other mums can sit and have a coffee while their kids play but you have to climb on all the equipment with your kid, dealing with communication problems and so on. But all the positives as well, how they communicate with their peers in their own way, how tenacious they are, how they do totally random things like pour sugar on your kitchen floor for fun! I loved the cute pictures of the kids in the middle of the book.

Knocking a star off Cos the book editor needs sacked, I’m a grammar nazi and there were so many mistakes! Didn’t take away from the story though!


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Once Upon a Farm: Lessons on Growing Love, Life, and Hope on a New Frontier

Rory Feek

Once Upon a Farm: Lessons on Growing Love, Life, and Hope on a New Frontier
Editions:Paperback: $ 10.99
ISBN: 0785221093
Pages: 256
Hardcover: $ 4.55
ISBN: 0785216723
Pages: 256
Kindle: $ 9.99
Pages: 248
Audiobook: $ 20.96

Now raising their four-year-old daughter, Indiana, alone, after Joey’s passing, Rory Feek digs deeper into the soil of his life and the unusual choices he and his wife, Joey, made together and the ones he’s making now to lead his family into the future.

When Rory Feek and his older daughters moved into a run-down farmhouse almost twenty years ago, he had no idea of the almost fairy-tale love story that was going to unfold on that small piece of Tennessee land . . . and the lessons he and his family would learn along the way.

Now two years after Joey’s passing, as Rory takes their four-year-old daughter Indiana’s hand and walks forward into an unknown future, he takes readers on his incredible journey from heartbreak to hope and, ultimately, the kind of healing that comes only through faith.

A raw and vulnerable look deeper into Rory’s heart, Once Upon a Farm is filled with powerful stories of love, life, and hope and the insights that one extraordinary, ordinary man in bib overalls has gleamed along the way.

As opposed to homesteading, this is instead a book on lifesteading as Rory learns to cultivate faith, love, and fatherhood on a small farm while doing everything, at times, but farming. With frequent stories of his and Joey’s years together, and how those guide his life today, Rory unpacks just what it means to be open to new experiences.

“This isn’t a how-to book; it’s more of a how we, or more accurately, how He, God, planted us on a few acres of land and grew something bigger than Joey or I could have ever imagined.”

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Reviews:Gloria D. Holcomb on Amazon wrote:

I have been a fan of Joey and Rory Feek since I first discovered their music a few years ago. Unfortunately, it was during Joey's illness and death. After reading thus book, I am impressed with Rory' s heartfelt tales of the events of his life which have brought him to the present. I was deeply touched by his love for his daughters' varied lifestyles. I have an even greater admiration for Rory and his family after reading this book. This is a flawed human who has come to an understanding of the importance of his faith and the strong bond of unconditional love for his family.

Laura Rash on Goodreads wrote:

Very similar writing style & content to his first book. Feek manages to tell a simple and sometimes sad story of his life with Joey and some new revelations about his family currently. The simplicity of his life and ideas is inspiring as is faith.


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Joy in Difficult Times

Nancy Emerson

Joy in Difficult Times
Editions:Paperback: $ 15.00
ISBN: 0998340421
Pages: 62

 

From  Kacey Martin - Star-Tribune   Jun 2, 2021

DANVILLE, Va. — Philadelphia, Elvis, swinging and the beach are just a handful of the ingredients that went into Mrs. Nancy Emerson’s journal-turned-memoir, Joy in Difficult Times.

On Saturday, Emerson hosted an Author Meet-and-Greet event outside Karen’s Hallmark in the Danville Mall to promote her book. Emerson and her husband warmly greeted store customers and passers-by alike from the table displaying Joy in Difficult Times, Emerson’s moving account of seeking and finding joy in the life of her son, Steve, who lived with Down syndrome.

“It was a joy, always, with him, even though he was challenged,” Emerson said.

The book moves chronologically throughout Steve’s life, detailing the great lengths the Emersons took to help Steve grow as an individual and have fun while doing so. From working tirelessly to correct Steve’s coordination through a stimulation program in Philadelphia to studying the brain in day-long lectures, Emerson and her husband were willing to do whatever it took to give their son the best life possible. No matter the weather—literally and figuratively speaking—Steve and his parents continued to push through and to strive after joy.

While the book was completed a few years prior to COVID-19, the central message underlying Emerson’s work is particularly relevant to the pandemic, for her conviction that there is joy to be had, no matter the circumstances.

“Joy in difficult times: everybody’s had a difficult time having to deal with everything going on…[COVID-19] has really been devastating to a lot of people," Emerson said. "We’ve been blessed (we’re retired), and we know there are a lot of people hurting. So, if this [book] could help somebody, then that would be my joy.”

Even while facing the challenge of Down Syndrome, Steven Emerson lived a full life. The photographs featured in Joy in Difficult Times allow the reader a glimpse into Emerson’s journey as Steve’s mother, from running alongside him on the shores of Virginia Beach to cheering him on at the Special Olympics, where Steve enjoyed playing basketball and bowling, to greeting the congregation as they entered the doors of the church each Sunday morning.

“He would just sit there waiting patiently for people to come in. He loved church, and he loved singing. He loved music,” Emerson said.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Steve enjoyed playing the guitar and the keyboard in his home.

One of Emerson’s fondest memories of Steve involves a trip to Graceland, during which an absent Steve was discovered standing in awe before a portrait of Mr. Presley himself, unable to tear himself away from his musical hero.

“I want it to be a help to people to know that you still can smile, even if you shed tears. We laughed, we cried a lot, but we can still find those moments when we can think about things that Steve did that were funny…things that make us smile," Emerson said. "So, I’m just appreciative of all the memories that we had. Good memories.”

After Steve passed away in 2015, Emerson enrolled in Danville Community College’s creative writing course, where she enjoyed cultivating her storytelling skills despite being surrounded primarily by young adults. Over the past 54 years, Emerson had kept a journal detailing Steve’s life, so she decided to turn her journal into a book to encourage others.

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The Life We Choose: A Sibling’s Story

xA Embry Burrus

The Life We Choose
Editions:Paperback: $ 14.15
ISBN: 0998636223
Pages: 206

Growing up as the sibling of someone with Down syndrome, author Embry Burrus was never really aware of her sister Margaret's disability. While writing down childhood memories to preserve Margaret's story for future generations, Burrus gained some startling insights into her parents' lives, and most unexpectedly into her own life. With humor and candor, Burrus examines how her sister has impacted, and continues to impact, those who have been fortunate enough to get to know Margaret. According to Burrus, "Margaret's heart knows no judgment, no deceit, and no hatred. She is a beautiful, perfect example of all that is good in this world." The world could certainly benefit from more of that.

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A Family Love Story 

Ethel Magnus

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Editions:Paperback - Out of Print: $ 25.59
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You Can Call Me Ellie

Anne McCullagh Rennie

You Can Call Me Ellie
Editions:Paperback
ISBN: 1741101727

This is the true story of an Australian family united in their love to overcome the myths and limiting social perceptions surrounding Down Syndrome and Ellie's determination to succeed.

'You Can Call Me Ellie' is about courage, persistence and at times downright stubborn refusal to budge as Ellie battles to prove that she is an individual with the ability to achieve beyond all expectations.

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You Always Call Me Princess

David Ted Eyre

You Always Call Me Princess
Editions:Paperback: $ 2.43
ISBN: 1599360306
Pages: 112

You Always Call Me Princess is an inspirational account of a modern-day miracle. It is a testament to the value of accepting those with disabilities and discovering their inner beauty.

This is the remarkable journey of Shellie Eyre, who, born with down syndrome, grew to adulthood and became an inspiration to all those around her.

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Reviews:Amy on Goodreads wrote:

Every person, every where needs to read this book. It is a heart wrenching account of a man, a family, a school, and of a community whom have all been lucky enough to have their lives touched by an extrodianry girl Shellie, who was born with Downe Syndrome. Though she went through many trials and hardships starting from birth, she always had an optimistic outlook on life.

This book had me smiling and crying at the same time. It is written by Shellie's dad and was full of emotion only a father could protrait.

I knew Shellie from Jr High and High school and remember her smile. The things I learned by being given the chance to share a school with her will last a life time.

Mommywest on Goodreads wrote:

I remember reading the story of Shellie Eyre and her election as homecoming queen of Murray High School in 1997 back when it happened, and I've always been touched by that story. Just today I read in the Deseret News that that experience has been made into a public service announcement promoting the value of looking for true beauty. I also discovered that Shellie's dad, Ted, has written this book about his daughter. I am looking forward to reading it!


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