Remembering the Way

by Greta Beekhuis

Larry is a medical research scientist working to solve a rare kidney disease. He worries that his decades of research will never get to help the patients who need it in this era of underfunded academic medicine. One day, in a particularly boring meeting, Larry decides to feign a midlife crisis and look for a way to more effectively reach patients on his own. It doesn’t exactly turn out to be the adventure he expected, as he finds himself on a quest to solve more than just the mystery of a rare disease.

186 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2016

About the author

Usually these are written in the third person. I’d like to change that convention. I am a spinner of stories, a writer with more than thirty years of experience as an advocate for people who are differently abled.
Several years ago, I decided to write a series of books featuring characters who are differently abled, using person-centered language. “Remembering the Way” is the first of the books to be published. I have several other books in the pipeline.
The conventional storyline begins with a diagnostic-centered statement such as; “John is autistic. He has social anxiety and a fear of loud noises. Despite the overwhelming odds against him, he has managed to find useful, meaningful work as a website content editor.” This creates an image of someone engaged in a constant battle to overcome disability. I try, whenever possible, to use person-centered language. For example, “John likes banjo music, doing crossword puzzles and playing video games. He has a photographic memory and a passion for baseball statistics. He works in the IT department of the local University. John has an autism spectrum disorder.” This wording creates an image of a person with abilities. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. As the parent of two amazing and talented adults, who happen to have autism spectrum disorders, I would like to encourage you to think about the ways we have been conditioned to speak about others and ourselves.
I enjoy spinning yarn as well as narratives, and am a lifelong knitter. I have a degree in Art with a minor in Social Justice from Guilford College. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I defied convention early on, racing quarter midgets at age four. My early career goals included being an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.

Reviews

[Shari Blakey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about a man on the autism spectrum who is a successful research scientist. I found it very interesting how he learned to manage his Asperger Syndrome so that he could successfully navigate both his professional and his personal life. It is told from his perspective and you are never told that he has a disorder although we all know so much about autism now that it doesn't take long to figure it out.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Remembering the Way, A Novel about a Life in Science,by Greta Beekhuis, is a wonderful example of how an author can both teach and entertain at the same time.
I was immediately fascinated by Larry, who is a scientist confronted by the sudden understanding that his decades of research concerning a rare kidney disease, is not progressing as he had hoped. This realization makes Larry try some new ways of getting more assistance for his research. He feigns a mid-life crisis, tells his fellow workers he is having a mid-life crisis, and abruptly leaves for home one day. He figures if he goes "on sabbatical" and makes new connections online, perhaps he will attract a new source for funding. He begins slowly at first, and meets up with an old friend from high school who boosts his confidence. Slowly his plans come to fruition.
As the reader follows Larry's path, it becomes clearer and clearer that Larry is strong, determined, and special. I hesitate to add more because it will wreck the flow of the book and ruin the reader's perception of Larry.
I found this book to be a beautiful expression of one person's attempt to understand himself and to give to others the very best he has to offer. Larry is a true hero.
His friends and family are all extremely believable.
I recommend Remembering the Way to any sort of reading group of any age. I recommend it to middle school and high school programs, both for learning purposes and for summer reading lists. This is one a teen will love reading! It is completely fascinating and, at times, quite moving.

If you know anyone like Larry (and you probably do), you will be illuminated by Remembering the Way.

This book is a gift to those of us who have had the good fortune to be parents of people like Larry. What you will definitely take away from this book, no matter what, is the deep understanding that people like Larry never give up. It is completely inspiring, and it is true.