Shape of the Eye (Updated) Giveaway

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Congrats to the winners: Brianna and Astra!

The Shape of the Eye, by George Estreich, is one of those unique, must-read, memoirs that takes the reader on a journey of the past, and makes the reader think about how we got to the present, in terms of society's perceptions on people with Down syndrome.

I did a review and giveaway of this book back in Oct 2011, and another giveaway in Oct 2012. This book has just recently been re-released in paperback and I am hosting a giveaway for 2 winners.

The paperback has an afterword that updates readers on Laura (George's daughter), and the rest of the family, since the hardcover was released. George also discusses some societal quandaries that have come up with the advances in technology, science, and research.

Parents.com recently did a Q&A with George (although I did cringe at the lead-in describing "...his Down syndrome daughter..." instead of the use of people-first language); and The Shape of the Eye gets a 4-star review and "Pick of the Week" in the April 29th edition of People Magazine.

If you would like to win a copy of this Oregon Book Award Winner, please leave a comment (making sure I have a way to contact you). Contest open to those in the US and Canada.

 

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The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven

Monday, 3 December 2012

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven is a true story by father and son Kevin & Alex Malarkey.

It is the story of a tragic car accident that left Alex paralyzed when he was just 6 years old. In fact, the odds weren't great that he would even survive. But a couple of months later Alex woke up from his coma with an amazing story to tell. He was able to describe events that happened while he was unconscious and of what he witnessed at the accident scene after being flown away in a medevac helicopter. Alex shares his experiences and journey of going to Heaven and back; of angels, and of meeting Jesus.

It was interesting to read of Alex's experiences, his relationship with and faith in God, his perseverance and will to live ... even though he says he is eager to get back to Heaven. The community greatly surrounded this family with prayers, support and help when they went through such trying times.

I did find the book to be redundant at times; I know the book is about faith and Alex's accounts of 'miracles, angels, and life beyond this world,' but I felt that the point was made too often. I also wish that the book contained more of Alex's story and not so much of the father's account. Overall it was an easy, and heart-warming read.

Here is a trailer for the book.

watch on tyndale.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network for this review; if you'd like to read the book please leave a comment and I'll send the copy to someone chosen via Random.org.


 

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Day 20 Giveaway: From Grief to Celebration

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Margaret (Gary) Bender blogs about life with her daughter, Alex, at The Ordinary Life of an Extraordinary Girl. Her blog is one of a few that I follow that is about life with an older child who has Down syndrome. I sure do appreciate reading about Gary's experiences about Alex's school life.

Gary has also written a memoir From Grief to Celebration: How One Family Learned to Embrace the Gift of Down Syndrome. 

The book is about how one family learned to embrace the unexpected birth of a child with Down syndrome.

The memoirs I've read so far all surround lives of much younger children, some even younger than Kayla's age. Here is a memoir in which the daughter of the author is out of high school.

I haven't had a chance to read this book in time for the giveaway, but it's a thin book and looks to be an easy read and I'm looking forward to diving in to it! Gary has written the chapters of the book in the stages her family went through including grief, research, incorporation, inclusion, and family planning. I anticipate being able to identify with many of the stages and gaining some insight from someone who is much farther along on this journey than I am.

Gary has graciously donated a copy of her book for this giveaway; and as soon as I finish it I will send it to the winner! Or you can get the Kindle version for only .99 through the rest of this week!

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn another entry, and to spread the word about From Grief to Celebration, you can Tweet about the giveaway. You can do this directly on the Rafflecopter widget.


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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)


 

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Day 18 Giveaway: The Politics of Down Syndrome

Friday, 26 October 2012

The Politics of Down Syndrome by Kieron Smith is a book I've been wanting to read since I first heard about and am glad to finally have the opportunity to read it. It is definitely not your usual book on Down syndrome; nor is it even a memoir about Down syndrome; although Kieron is the father to a daughter who has Down syndrome.

This books takes a look at the historical descriptions of Down syndrome and how, even though we know so much more about it, our (society) thoughts and attitudes seem to have largely remained unchanged. Perceptions about Down syndrome are still steeped in decades old stereotypes. This has continued to affect attitudes and prevent full inclusion and acceptance of persons with Down syndrome in their communities.

Mr Smith also takes a look at the medical field and how the negative image of Down syndrome starts during pregnancy by applying the term "risk" to a prenatal test for Down syndrome. How much weight does it carry to say "Your risk of having a child with Down syndrome is (fill in the blank) percent." By applying the word 'risk' it seems to equal something negative happening. Using the word 'chance' would be much more neutral.

Since Mr Smith lives in the UK a lot, but not all, of the references are from that aspect, but can easily be applied to what is happening in the US as well.

I found this to be a very fascinating, and quick (it's a slim book) read. This is a great book for parents, educators and the medical field ... this is a book that should also be shared with and read by the general population outside of the Down syndrome community.

An excerpt from the book,
"The hurdle for society is to somehow come to appreciate the essence of the title of Dobzhansky's work that differences are not deficits, that difference should just be accepted. This does not have to be divisive, it does not have to mean that difference is celebrated in a way that divides communities, and rather it should appreciate the commonality in the human experience. Because we are all different, our genes and experiences, then a society that recognizes and appreciates the talents and difference of everyone, is a society that can truly be both enlightened and progressive. Ignoring status, wealth and power and focusing on what each person can achieve.

Now how do we get society to embrace differences?

Kieron is also a Trustee of Down Syndrome Education International and all proceeds from the book are donated to DSE. 

Kieron Smith has generously donated a copy of his book for this giveaway - thank you!

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about The Politics of Down Syndrome, you can like the Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.


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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)



 

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Day 13 Giveaway: Common Threads: Celebrating Life With Down Syndrome

Friday, 19 October 2012

The organization Band of Angels was established in 1994, by Cynthia Hutchison (Kidder),  to provide support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Their mission is to create "...greater understanding of the full and rich lives of people with differences by helping parents, educators, persons with disabilities, and medical professionals recognize the true potential of all people."

Band of Angels provides hospitals with New Parent Support Packages, has a Job Connection link for people with cognitive disabilities and participate in annual events.

One of the products in the Parent Support Package is the book Common Threads: Celebrating Life With Down Syndrome. This book is co-authored by Cynthia Hutchison (Kidder) and Dr Brian Skotko, who specializes in Genetics and has a sister with Down syndrome. This book is "an essay and photographic celebration of inspirational accomplishments of people of all ages with Down syndrome. Throughout the book there is a common thread - the thread of belief."

Band of Angels is graciously donating Common Threads to this giveaway.

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Band of Angels, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)


 

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Day 11 Giveaway: The Shape of the Eye

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

The Shape of the Eye by George Estreich is a memoir on "Down Syndrome, Family, and the Stories We Inherit."

I enjoy reading other books of other parents' experience with raising a child with Down syndrome (and obviously one reason why I follow so many blogs!) It's nice to find out that you're not 'the only one' who felt a certain way, or dealt with things a certain way. Sometimes you feel like it's just you until you read someone's story and it helps to validate your own feelings.

Sometimes other people can sum up your own complicated thoughts in a couple of sentences. When I read this in his book, "If Down syndrome were ordinary in the world, if a commonsense view of dignity and personhood and capability prevailed, then perhaps our early days would have been easier. But Down syndrome is not ordinary in the world." it reminded me of my post on Hope and Normalcyand in the end saying that maybe if Down syndrome happens so often, it must be a 'normal' part of the genetic make-up,  and how different the delivery of the diagnosis would be if the world looked at it this way. "If Down syndrome was ordinary in the world." Yes, indeed. If only the world did look at it that way.

As in every personal story there are differences too; George's story of raising his daughter differs from mine in that his mother is Japanese. When Laura was born and the doctor mention Down syndrome and a few of the characteristics she had - such as the upward, almond-shaped eyes - George was able to explain that away as inheritance since his mother is Japanese. For me, the first time I looked at Kayla's eyes I knew she had Down syndrome because of those almond-shaped eyes.

I like his take on two of the most common stereotypes: that children with Down syndrome are sweet, and that they are stubborn. He asks, "How can both be possible? If they are stubborn most of the time, or half the time, can they still be counted as sweet?"

While this memoir does describe Laura's birth, diagnosis, the aftermath, how they felt, how they came to accept it, how it became part of their lives ... it also goes deeper and beyond their own story of raising Laura. He explores how our attitudes about Down syndrome have come to be shaped by the descriptions and writings of John Langdon Down.

I enjoyed the personal family aspects of the memoir, but for me the most interesting chapter was the one on John Langdon Down. Mr. Estreich did a lot of research for his own knowledge after Laura was diagnosed, and for his book. I admit to not having done much research on the man. The only thing I really knew about him was he was the first person to describe individuals with Down syndrome and their characteristics ... and that is how it came to be named after him.

I knew that Dr Down described these individuals as "Mongolian" because the upward slant of the eye, but I didn't realize the history behind that. The whole chapter is very fascinating ... how Dr. Down tried to classify the people with Down syndrome into a race category; that he couldn't comprehend how they were born to Caucasian families yet had "Mongolian" features - so he thought it had to be a degeneration in the womb. Initially he speculated it to be the cause of tuberculosis.

I know that people with Down syndrome existed long before it was described; and this fact is written so eloquently in the book, "...the children existed before they were discovered; what changed, after Down, was the way they were known....even though we have rejected the name he chose, the terms of his description are still with us." 

One of the biggest revelations in this chapter, for me, was the fact that John Langdon Down had a grandson, also named John Langdon Down. This grandson was born after the elder John Down had passed away. This grandson was born with ... Down syndrome. I find that so ironic and fascinating. I keep thinking about that fact and wondering if anything would've changed with his view and descriptions of Down syndrome if he had been alive to know his grandson. (Also, how have I been in this community for 9 years and never heard this tidbit before? I can't believe I haven't come across that until now!)

The Shape of the Eye is a poignant and wonderfully-written story. It is a book that I think should be included on the list of books for new parents to read.

George Estreich is generously donating a copy of his book for this giveaway.

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about The Shape of the Eye, you can like the Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)


 

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Day 8 Giveaway: Meet Annie

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Meet Annie is an adorable children's book written by Heather J. Scharlau-Hollis, who has a daughter with Down syndrome. Annie has Down syndrome and she describes all the way she is "just like you." This is an easy book for kids to read and gets the message across that, "We need to understand that we are all different and those differences make us who we are."

Each page shows Annie doing or feeling something, and then has a question for the reader - I like how that engages the reader to think about things too. For instance one page says, "I love to play with my toys just like you. I like my balls and baby dolls best. What is your favorite toy?"

I read this book to Kayla's 2nd grade class last year and all the kids seemed really interested and engaged. They liked the questions that are on almost every page. I would ask the questions to the class, "Do you ever get scared? Do you ever get in trouble? Do you ever need help? What is your favorite food?" and hands were always clamoring in the air so they could tell me their answers.

We've had this book for about 4 yrs now and Kayla and Lucas still like to pull it off the bookshelf and read it.

Heather is donating a copy of Meet Annie to this giveaway - thanks Heather! You can enter to win by using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn another entry, and to spread the word about Meet Annie, you can also Tweet about the giveaway. You can do that directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

 

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Day 1 Giveaway: Gifts

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

The first of the 21 Days of Giveaways is a book that is near and dear to my heart.

In 2006 (goodness has it been 6 yrs already?!) I had the opportunity to submit a story for the book Gifts: Mothers Reflect on how Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives. It is a compilation of stories mothers submitted on the topics pertaining to Gifts Of: Respect, Strength, Delight, Perspective, and Love.

My story, Birthday Guilt, is in the Gift of Love section and it based on this post I wrote as Kayla's 3rd birthday was approaching.

Each story is accompanied by a black and white photo of the subject of that story. A photo slideshow was made to incorporate all the photographs and is set to a song with such beautiful lyrics. (How could anyone ever tell you, you are anything less than beautiful... by Libby Roderick) Kayla's picture shows up at :44.


I'm pretty sure I would have appreciated having this book after Kayla was born; it would have been a nice resource for support...just to put a human facet on the diagnosis to counter all the medical information you're given. It would have been comforting to read all these different stories on love and acceptance and the journey that families were on. I'm sure it would have made me feel less alone.

This book was so successful that Gifts: Volume II was written. This second book includes stories written by family members, friends, and professionals. The chapters are based on Acceptance, Courage, Friendship, Awareness, and Joy.

There will be 2 winners for this drawing - one for each book.

This is my first time using Rafflecopter.com for the giveaways, so crossing my fingers that I've got this figured this out!

After you leave a comment please click on the +1 Do It button on the Rafflecopter Widget (just below) for your entry to be counted. I'm keeping track of all entries on the Rafflecopter site. If you select the option to Tweet about it, once you click on that just click on the Twitter logo and it will automatically pop up with the pre-written Tweet to send.

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

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The Shape of the Eye (book review/giveaway)

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Congrats to winner Becca!

I was asked if I wanted to review the book The Shape of the Eye by George Estreich. It is a memoir on "Down Syndrome, Family, and the Stories We Inherit." I had seen this mentioned on FB and a few blogs and put it on my "to-one-day-read" list. The review came at a great time - just in time for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

I enjoy reading other books of other parents' experience with raising a child with Down syndrome (and obviously one reason why I follow so many blogs!) It's nice to find out that you're not 'the only one' who felt a certain way, or dealt with things a certain way. Sometimes you feel like it's just you until you read someone else's story and it helps to validate your own feelings.

Sometimes other people can sum up your own complicated thoughts in a couple of sentences. When I read this in his book, "If Down syndrome were ordinary in the world, if a commonsense view of dignity and personhood and capability prevailed, then perhaps our early days would have been easier. But Down syndrome is not ordinary in the world." it reminded me of my post on Hope and Normalcy and in the end saying that maybe if Down syndrome happens so often, it must be a 'normal' part of the genetic make-up,  and how different the delivery of the diagnosis would be if the world looked at it this way. "If Down syndrome was ordinary in the world." Yes, indeed. If only the world did look at it that way.

As in every personal story there are differences too; George's story of raising his daughter differs from mine in that his mother is Japanese. When Laura was born and the doctor mention Down syndrome and a few of the characteristics she had - such as the upward, almond-shaped eyes - George was able to explain that away as inheritance since his mother is Japanese. For me, the first time I looked at Kayla's eyes I knew she had Down syndrome because of those almond-shaped eyes.

I like his take on 2 of the most common stereotypes: that children with Ds are sweet, and that they are stubborn. He asks, "How can both be possible? If they are stubborn most of the time, or half the time, can they still be counted as sweet?"

While this memoir does describe Laura's birth, diagnosis, the aftermath, how they felt, how they came to accept it, how it became part of their lives ... it also goes deeper and beyond their own story of raising Laura. He explores how our attitudes about Down syndrome have come to be shaped by the descriptions and writings of John Langdon Down.

I enjoyed the personal family aspects of the memoir, but for me the most interesting chapter was the one on John Langdon Down. Mr. Estreich did a lot of research for his own knowledge after Laura was diagnosed, and for his book. I admit to not having done much research on the man. The only thing I really knew about him was he was the first person to describe individuals with Down syndrome and their characteristics ... and that is how it came to be named after him.

I knew that Dr Down described these individuals as "Mongolian" because the upward slant of the eye, but I didn't realize the history behind that. The whole chapter is very fascinating ... how Down tried to classify the people with Ds into a race category; that he couldn't comprehend how they were born to Caucasian families yet had "Mongolian" features - so he thought it had to be a degeneration in the womb. Initially he speculated it to be the cause of tuberculosis.

I know that people with Down syndrome existed long before it was described; and this fact is written so eloquently in the book, "...the children existed before they were discovered; what changed, after Down, was the way they were known....even though we have rejected the name he chose, the terms of his description are still with us." 

One of the biggest revelations in this chapter, for me, was the fact that John Langdon Down had a grandson, also named John Langdon Down. This grandson was born after the elder John Down had passed away. This grandson was born with ... Down syndrome. I find that so ironic and fascinating. I keep thinking about that fact and wondering if anything would've changed with his view and descriptions of Ds if he had been alive to know his grandson. (Also, how have I been in the Ds 'world' for 8 years and never heard this tidbit before? I can't believe I haven't come across that until now!)

The Shape of the Eye is a poignant and wonderfully-written story. It is a book that I think should be included on the list of books for new parents to read. I'd like to give my copy away to a reader ... just leave a comment on this post and mak sure I have a way to contact you if you're a winner.

*This isn't a requirement to enter ... but since it is DS Awareness Month and I've been blogging for 5 years now... I'd love it if you left a comment letting me know something you've learned about Down syndrome just from me sharing about my life with Kayla.

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