Maria Shriver's New Book

[D L and K's Mom]

This is not a Disney statement but I just wanted to say if anyone has a child, friend, relative, sibling, student etc who has Downs Syndrome or anyother "disability "(for lack of a better term) take a minute to read Maria Shriver's new book, "What's the Matter with Timmy" (or maybe What's Wrong with Timmy) I can't remember which one and I lent out my copy. It is a beautiful book .I loved how it explained all the "ABILITIES" that Timmy had and how he had feelings just like a regular kid. I read it to my first grade class hoping that explaining that we are all different at a young age might somehow make them more caring and compassionate adults. The children loved the book and had a lot of really great questions. It opened up a great discussion. My class has met my DS who had a stroke and has autistic tendencies and the book was a nice way for them to be introduced to the topic of disabilities. Ok, sorry that this is not Disney related but I just wanted to share. Warning this is a definite "Box of Kleenex Book"

 

[SueM in MN]

I saw the book at a store and took a few minutes to read it.
I thought it was good because it covered a wide range of issues in one book and did handled them quite well. It did seem like a book that could open a lot of discussion.

 

[Piglet]

I have heard of this book, but have not yet checked it out. Do you think it would help a child with hidden disabilities and her classmates?

My daughter has Glycogen Storage Disease and has problems with low blood sugar, is on a very strict diet. must eat every 2 1/2 hours and must drink "her medicine" which is cornstarch mixed with sugar free kool aid at lunch everyday to keep her blood sugar at a steady level. She can not eat the same things as the others (birthday and holiday parties) and gets lots of questions. So she is starting to feel "different" but is really just a regular kid. Any suggestions for a childrens story book to help 4 and 5 year olds understand? Would this book help???

I want her classmates to understand it from the beginning so that they just accept it and it isn't a big deal.

Melinda

 

[SueM in MN]

We had a nice thread going about a year ago with just the sort of information you are asking, piglet. It got lost when we switched from the old boards to these new ones. teri and I copied a lot of stuff to our computers before it was lost, so I will check if I copied any of it. A lot of the good suggestions were from people who still visit the disABILITIES Board, so maybe we can get the discussion going again.

The Marie Shriver book involves a boy with Down Syndrome. I don't remember what it says about other, more hidden disabilities. It's a pretty long book though, so it might be a little more than 4 and 5 year olds will sit and listen to.

 

[Wade Shrader]

My wife and I saw this book before Christmas, and we've got to go back and get it. We sat down and read it in the bookstore...It was wonderful! It was especially good for us to read it, as we'll be sending our trio off to kindergarten next year.

I would suggest it for any one who is close to someone with a disability.

 

[LisaF]

I will have to purchase this book!! Our DS has mild Tourette's Syndrome, and many times it is not noticeable to those around him. This would be a great book to have on hand as he gets older, especially with the potential of TS to intensify as he nears puberty. So glad to see a wonderful book like this LisaF