A collection of essays about how to raise a differently abled child. The essays themselves are not as interesting as the little author bios at the end. The authors themselves deal with a range of issues, from cognitive difficulties to near paralysis. The use in this collection lies less in the text than in the reassuring subtext that all of these people have happy lives--your child can too.
What I got from this book: advocate for your child. Trust your instincts and don't blindly follow the directions of health professionals. Every disability is a little different, so pay attention and be inventive in how you work with it. Don't be mysterious about visits to the doctor: explain what's going on and make the visit something you're doing *with* your child. One essay spoke of hospital visits turning into adventures, because afterward he'd get ice cream and a trip to a museum. Don't pity your child, or leave them dependent on you; encourage them to make choices (even if at first its as small as what to wear that day) and speak to non-relatives. Don't assume that because your child is disabled, they have no sexuality or chance at romance. ( )