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Remember, You're the Greatest: How one special needs boy taught his father about love, God, and everything else
He finally found a cure for his son’s epilepsy — but is he too late?
After three long years, Johnny’s young son, Sam, experiences a breakthrough. But even as calm comes to Sam's body, the illness makes off with his mind. Violent outbursts, strange obsessions — what has happened to his sweet boy? As these new convulsions threaten to tear his family apart, Johnny is haunted by his late father’s constant “Remember, as you go through life, you’re the greatest.” But how can someone so broken be great? Cinematically weaving three generations of fatherhood, Remember, You’re the Greatest is a memoir of hard questions. Of unexpected joy in the ache of mystery. And the power of a special needs child to teach a father what greatness truly looks like. Advance praise for Remember, You're the Greatest
“A magical foray into the wonder of boyhood that leaves you tear-stained and cheering.” – Susan Reedy, MA, autism specialist
”A delightful reader’s feast. A mysterious joy. Every incident, each detail, is graced and elevated with a kind of loving, attentive prose.” – Lee R. Cerling, Ph.D., University of Southern California “Dear reader, just a simple Take off your sandals, for you stand on holy ground. You will laugh. You will cry. You will shake your head in amazement. But most of all, you will walk into the rest of your life inspired to face your particular challenges with grace, integrity, and bravery.” – Tim Patterson, MFT “Masterful storytelling, humor, and honesty that lets parents know they are not alone on their journey.” – Rev. Julie Ono, family care pastor, Evergreen Baptist Church Los Angeles “A poetic and beautiful literary weaving , this book reminds us that we can make a difference when we love another human deeply, when we show up in suffering, and allow imperfection to be beautiful.” – Juli Chaffee, MSW “This book gave the inner thoughts in the recesses of my soul permission to come out and be real, acknowledged, grieved, and pursued by Love.” – Laura Gossman, mother of a son with autism “An unofficial primer on fatherhood stuffed with yearning and wit, heartbreak and triumph , this book is simply storytelling at its peak, and perfect for any father who’s deeply in love with his kids.” – Marc Elmer, father of a child with autism
“This is not simply a great book for the special needs community. It is a great book, period. I cried, laughed, and was moved from one chapter to the next with the winds of hope ever present in Johnny’s writing.” – Mark Spinelli, father of a son with Down Syndrome “A must-read for anyone who loves someone with special needs. The vulnerability that Johnny Bollow is willing to step into will be a resource for families and the professionals who work with them. A beautiful and complex picture that captures the importance of celebrating neurodiversity.” – Jackie Stemen, MS, ACSW, parent coach for autism “Johnny’s richly detailed yet honestly unvarnished account of his journey as both a son and a father is a great book. Go read it.” – Jaime Clevenger, PT, MPT, physical therapist for special needs children.
After three long years, Johnny’s young son, Sam, experiences a breakthrough. But even as calm comes to Sam's body, the illness makes off with his mind. Violent outbursts, strange obsessions — what has happened to his sweet boy? As these new convulsions threaten to tear his family apart, Johnny is haunted by his late father’s constant “Remember, as you go through life, you’re the greatest.” But how can someone so broken be great? Cinematically weaving three generations of fatherhood, Remember, You’re the Greatest is a memoir of hard questions. Of unexpected joy in the ache of mystery. And the power of a special needs child to teach a father what greatness truly looks like. Advance praise for Remember, You're the Greatest
“A magical foray into the wonder of boyhood that leaves you tear-stained and cheering.” – Susan Reedy, MA, autism specialist
”A delightful reader’s feast. A mysterious joy. Every incident, each detail, is graced and elevated with a kind of loving, attentive prose.” – Lee R. Cerling, Ph.D., University of Southern California “Dear reader, just a simple Take off your sandals, for you stand on holy ground. You will laugh. You will cry. You will shake your head in amazement. But most of all, you will walk into the rest of your life inspired to face your particular challenges with grace, integrity, and bravery.” – Tim Patterson, MFT “Masterful storytelling, humor, and honesty that lets parents know they are not alone on their journey.” – Rev. Julie Ono, family care pastor, Evergreen Baptist Church Los Angeles “A poetic and beautiful literary weaving , this book reminds us that we can make a difference when we love another human deeply, when we show up in suffering, and allow imperfection to be beautiful.” – Juli Chaffee, MSW “This book gave the inner thoughts in the recesses of my soul permission to come out and be real, acknowledged, grieved, and pursued by Love.” – Laura Gossman, mother of a son with autism “An unofficial primer on fatherhood stuffed with yearning and wit, heartbreak and triumph , this book is simply storytelling at its peak, and perfect for any father who’s deeply in love with his kids.” – Marc Elmer, father of a child with autism
“This is not simply a great book for the special needs community. It is a great book, period. I cried, laughed, and was moved from one chapter to the next with the winds of hope ever present in Johnny’s writing.” – Mark Spinelli, father of a son with Down Syndrome “A must-read for anyone who loves someone with special needs. The vulnerability that Johnny Bollow is willing to step into will be a resource for families and the professionals who work with them. A beautiful and complex picture that captures the importance of celebrating neurodiversity.” – Jackie Stemen, MS, ACSW, parent coach for autism “Johnny’s richly detailed yet honestly unvarnished account of his journey as both a son and a father is a great book. Go read it.” – Jaime Clevenger, PT, MPT, physical therapist for special needs children.
276 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 1, 2021
This book is the exploration of a child with special needs, an excavating of a parent's heart, and a deep-dive into how our parents have shaped us. It's also a long meditation on the mystery of suffering, told with humor and wit.
If you know a child with special needs, this book will make you gasp with recognition and yet also refashion you into a kinder, gentler person, with a spirit of understanding and patience.
If you know a child with special needs, this book will make you gasp with recognition and yet also refashion you into a kinder, gentler person, with a spirit of understanding and patience.
July 11, 2022
Such a beautifully written book that shows how deeply a father cares about his son - Johnny manages to tell their family's journey in both a funny and compassionate way simultaneously. Any special needs parent can relate, and if you don't have a special needs child you'll get some very real insight into what it's like.
June 2, 2021
This is a brilliantly and beautifully written book of a father's journey with his son. Alternately heartbreaking and hilarious, this is a must read for any dad, or soon-to-be dad. You won't regret it.
September 22, 2023
What a beautiful story of a dads love & his search for meaning in the darkness.
I listened to the audio and couldn’t turn it off. I believe everyone should read this book
I listened to the audio and couldn’t turn it off. I believe everyone should read this book
March 11, 2021
So beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews