Looking for a book that may not exist!

[Livi'sMom]

Hi...

I'm usually in lurk mode, but I'm coming out of my shadowy corner hoping someone can help.

My 5 year old daughter has CP and a shunt. She has mild CP compared to most, for which we're very grateful, but her fine motor skills are minimal. She walks and runs for short periods and her friends at preschool/daycare have never noticed anything different... until now.

Olivia's handwriting is almost non-existant. She can't stay anywhere near the lines while coloring...etc... (although she can read on a 2nd grade level and does 2nd grade math! ) They (classmates) notice that her coloring/handwriting is "scribbling" and since she is petite and thin you can easily see her valve if her hair is pulled up and the VP tube running down her neck over her clavical.

So... if you're not bored and you're still with me... I'm looking for a book that she could share in class that would talk about CP without showing a wheelchair. Seems like all books on CP or on any kids with special needs either has a child in a wheelchair, using a cane, Down's Syndrome, etc...

I've been searching for a book that introduces "hidden disabilities." Many of these children will be starting kindergarden in the fall and Olivia is their only experience with someone with a disability.

On the other hand... she attends the local MRDD preschool as a classroom peer 4 mornings a week but receives intense OT and PT. She is used to kids in chairs, walkers, braces, ASD, etc... and thinks nothing of it.

I spoke with the daycare director. (Olivia attends 4 hours a day 4 days a week. ) After making them aware of the situation, they are planning a disability education/awareness week.

I've been searching the 'net and the bookstores, but have yet to find anything that explains hidden disabilities to a child. I've been in touch with the local chapter of UCP, but they don't know of any resources. Any ideas? I figure someone here may have seen/read/heard of something I can use to introduce this concept to 4 and 5 year olds.


Thanks so much!

Mel

 

[minkydog]

I have not seen such a book and I've often wondered if there was one like it. My son has a syndrome, but doesn't look "syndromy". He walks, but does not talk; he wears diapers and makes loud hooting sounds. Therefore when younger kids encounter him and he can't navigate the playground equipment or return their question they are put off, almost scared. He doesn't "play by the rules" (he has no idea there are rules.)

I'd love to see a book like this, where kids like ours are accepted by other kids and they get to do some normal stuff.

 

[SueM in MN]

This looks like a good book:
Stretching Ourselves: Kids With Cerebral Palsy
by Alden R. Carter, Carol S. Carter . I have never seen the book, but it looks good and was written for a younger age group

This is an older book, but we have it and I think it is pretty good:
We Can Do it
by Laura Dwight. There are lots of pictures and it covers a number of different types of disabilities. It was written for an elementary age group.

Another book we own is How it Feels to Live with a Physical Disability
by Jill Krementz . That book is for older kids and might be out of print, since it was written in 1992.

This list might have some helpful books on it.

 

[Livi'sMom]

Sue... you rock. Seriously.

I just ordered Stretching Ourselves. It looks perfect for what we need. It even sounds like Olivia with the one boy that plays football and does plays. She was just in her first musical... with lines, songs and dancing, oh my! at the end of January. I can't wait until it comes. I wonder why it didn't show up when I did my searches? Oh well... I knew I posted in the right place!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder why it didn't show up when I did my searches? Oh well... I knew I posted in the right place!!!

I'm just a good searcher????
The search engine knows I LOVE children's books????
Anyway. Glad to hear it sounds like it will work for you. It sounds like a really good book.