Driving is one of those things that is a rite of passage for most people. It can be difficult to deny the privilege to our sons/daughters. Andy passed the written test, but his parents still felt it was too much…
“I not have a girlfriend…I’m ready for it.” …Ben rejected the suggestion of a girl like him: “I don’t date Down syndrome girls. I want real girls.”” P. 165 This sentiment may seem prejudiced or even odd to people outside…
Andy liked to play independently, using his imagination fill in friends and teammates. Does your child have imaginary friends or talk to inanimate objects or pets? Wyllie writes about Andy and Lindsay Yeager’s interest in music. Is your child a…
“In reality inclusion is creating a nightmare for special education teachers concerned for their students’ welfare and for mainstream teachers who lack training and experience to deal with the handicapped.” P. 144 “Our experience with Andy, and the Yeagers’ experience…
This chapter opens up with an emotional confession. We can certainly understand and emphasize with the author’s feelings of depression. Have you ever experienced similar feelings? Did you ask for help or press on through it alone? It’s difficult to…
Moving is a big change and we know that people with Down syndrome thrive in routine and sameness. Has your family moved around? How did your loved one react? What the Wyllies found when looking for a suitable school environment…
Wyllie talks about using a harness and Andy getting lost in a department store. Many children with Down syndrome are known to wander. Was your child prone to wander off? What steps did you take to keep him or her…
“I was a bad mother.” P. 100 Again, we can empathize with Wyllie’s feelings of guilt. This chapter allows us to look at how the tragedies in the home affect Andrew. Recently, I read a statement from Dennis McGuire, Ph.D.,…
In this chapter we learn about Jean’s cancer. The struggles of caring for a sick child can be draining. Do you have other children? Have you ever felt like one child gets more attention than the other? Romy admits in…
In chapter 7, we read about the author’s experience and feelings toward a special program for children with disabilities. “I explained that it was often hard for parents to acknowledge that their children were slower than average and needed special…