Special Education: A Parent's Guide for Children's Success Book

This book of 40 essays is a fascinating (and quick!) read. I would recommend it for EVERYONE, because we all need a little more compassion and understanding toward anyone who has an obvious disability or doesn't look/act "normal."

My favorite quotes from this book:

"I wish that someone would tell parents about the virtues of ballpark normalcy. Ballpark normalcy refers to a life that is not quite normal'but is 'in the ballpark.' This type of life is a little harder than a normal life. It is also a little better because one has the heightened perception and quirky insight that comes from being on the circumference of the mainstream."

"I do not wish to change Mark, nor my own blindness. I truly believe that every life is worth living and that our fundamental equality as human beings springs from the deeper meaning of our common humanity."

"The diagnosis was made by a team of professionals at a school for children with disabilities. 'Atypical Development, Strong Autistic Tendencies, and Psychotic.' Why not throw in the kitchen sink,too?" (ha ha!!!) . . .(years later) . . . "Another evaluation placed me as 'neurotic' rather than 'psychotic.' Things were moving up in the world for me!" I love this guy's sense of humor. :)

"Every person is special in their own way. I walk with a major limp and have a disability. Some people have bad vision and need to wear thick glasses. Other people are born with big noses. All of these things sculpt who we are. We can't do anything about it but accept it and embrace it."

"If I could rewrite my history . . . I would have been frequently reminded that I was unique and talented instead of only being told, at school, that I was lazy, willful, and not living up to my potential'and being told, at home, that I was a disappointment and embarrassment to the family. I'm sure that my parents really did love me, but in their frustration and disappointment, they forgot to tell me about their love."