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A Mother Like Alex
An inspiring true story of a life devoted to helping children with Down's Syndrome. They said it couldn't be done, but somehow Alex Bell has managed to adopt and raise a family of children with special needs.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 24, 2012
"A true story of an extraordinary mother and her unusual family - a story of courage, perseverance and, above all, love."
The heart of this book lies in Alex's true understanding of each child's needs and potential. She went beyond understanding them to helping them fulfill their life purpose. No mushy love but a love that is full of fierce determination in making sure that these kids/youths really live.
It's also amazing that she understood the pain of the birth mothers, some of whom had the heart but didn't have the ability to bring up their child. Those big parties at the Bell warm my heart especially as all those who love the children were gathered.
Inspiring and awesome read.
The heart of this book lies in Alex's true understanding of each child's needs and potential. She went beyond understanding them to helping them fulfill their life purpose. No mushy love but a love that is full of fierce determination in making sure that these kids/youths really live.
It's also amazing that she understood the pain of the birth mothers, some of whom had the heart but didn't have the ability to bring up their child. Those big parties at the Bell warm my heart especially as all those who love the children were gathered.
Inspiring and awesome read.
February 17, 2023
A very interesting look at all the different people involved in the adoption/foster process . Whether they be parents, social work dept staff, bureaucrats, fosterers, adopters, all different angles and approaches and styles. Warts and all.
Alex is an interesting person who amazingly has made these people her life's work.
The book has different sections on each person she is fostering or has adopted a bit about how they came to be with her and their personalities
I worked in this area and found it a very interesting read, and recognised everyone.
It is engaging, a few cringe moments where the author calls the people with disabilities children but overall very supportive and real
We need to take better care of our most vulnerable
Alex is an interesting person who amazingly has made these people her life's work.
The book has different sections on each person she is fostering or has adopted a bit about how they came to be with her and their personalities
I worked in this area and found it a very interesting read, and recognised everyone.
It is engaging, a few cringe moments where the author calls the people with disabilities children but overall very supportive and real
We need to take better care of our most vulnerable
February 19, 2017
Author: Bernard Clark
Title: A Mother Like Alex: One Defiant Woman, Nine Special Children.
Genre: true story, biography and true accounts, biography, diseases and physical ailments, physical impairments, biographies and memoirs, special needs.
I was given this book.
This book has 302 pages in it.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
I highly recommend this book.
Synopsis: They said it could not be done they had not met Alex bell. This is the story of an extraordinary mother and her unusual family – a story of courage, perseverance and above all, love. It is about a women who adopt seven children with down syndrome and becoming a foster mother to a child who has a life-limiting condition and a guardian to another child who is autisic, at 28, and unmarried, Alex battled with social services to adopt her first down syndrome, Matthew. She had succeeded in becoming one of the first single women in the uk to adopt. But Alex did not stop there. She single-handed took on eight more children who, despite serious disabilities, are flourishing under alex's fierce and devoted love. Like happy-go-lucky matthew, who fulfilled his dream of working for manchester united, and adrian, the amazing number wiz, born as if with a calculator inside his brain, or the cute – but demending – nine-year-old emily, who coped with her traumatic cancer treatment by being downright bolshy and learning to be her own boss. This book is a tear-jerker and it is about a very brave childreb and the women who raised them and she is a single woman who loves all the children dearly.
Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and really hard to put down once l started reading it. This book was a really good read and it was heart breaking to read about nine year old emily having cancer and alex sounds like a very special mother to nine beautiful brave children who show alex love and happiness as alex does them and alex loves all her children with all her heart. Alex showed courage and choose to raised them all on her own. It takes a special woman to do what alex does. Any child would be so proud to having alex as their mother. I really enjoyed reading this book and just goes to show that women can raise disabled children and not need a man to help her. I think alex and the children are so brave and alex is a great women, great mother. I wish l could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth a lot more and l wish there was a follow on to this book so l could see how all the children are getting on. Alex is a great women wish there was more people like alex. The world need more people like this. This book will have you hooked and leave you wanting more. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page. I would happily read this book again and again.
About The Author: Bernard clark began his career as an investigative tv journalist, newsreader and director for the bbc. He went on to direct several acclaimed documentaries and originated 'watchdog', the bbc's long-running investigative series, as well the series 'timewatch' and 'bookmark'. He then set up clark television. One of the first major independent production companies in the uk, producing worldwide current affairs and documentary programmes. He continues to make television series, combining this with writing. He lives in London and north carolina.
About The Book: l love this cover it is perfectly fitting for this book and it is not too bright and not too dull. I love the font.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.
Title: A Mother Like Alex: One Defiant Woman, Nine Special Children.
Genre: true story, biography and true accounts, biography, diseases and physical ailments, physical impairments, biographies and memoirs, special needs.
I was given this book.
This book has 302 pages in it.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
I highly recommend this book.
Synopsis: They said it could not be done they had not met Alex bell. This is the story of an extraordinary mother and her unusual family – a story of courage, perseverance and above all, love. It is about a women who adopt seven children with down syndrome and becoming a foster mother to a child who has a life-limiting condition and a guardian to another child who is autisic, at 28, and unmarried, Alex battled with social services to adopt her first down syndrome, Matthew. She had succeeded in becoming one of the first single women in the uk to adopt. But Alex did not stop there. She single-handed took on eight more children who, despite serious disabilities, are flourishing under alex's fierce and devoted love. Like happy-go-lucky matthew, who fulfilled his dream of working for manchester united, and adrian, the amazing number wiz, born as if with a calculator inside his brain, or the cute – but demending – nine-year-old emily, who coped with her traumatic cancer treatment by being downright bolshy and learning to be her own boss. This book is a tear-jerker and it is about a very brave childreb and the women who raised them and she is a single woman who loves all the children dearly.
Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and really hard to put down once l started reading it. This book was a really good read and it was heart breaking to read about nine year old emily having cancer and alex sounds like a very special mother to nine beautiful brave children who show alex love and happiness as alex does them and alex loves all her children with all her heart. Alex showed courage and choose to raised them all on her own. It takes a special woman to do what alex does. Any child would be so proud to having alex as their mother. I really enjoyed reading this book and just goes to show that women can raise disabled children and not need a man to help her. I think alex and the children are so brave and alex is a great women, great mother. I wish l could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth a lot more and l wish there was a follow on to this book so l could see how all the children are getting on. Alex is a great women wish there was more people like alex. The world need more people like this. This book will have you hooked and leave you wanting more. I was hooked on this book after reading the first page. I would happily read this book again and again.
About The Author: Bernard clark began his career as an investigative tv journalist, newsreader and director for the bbc. He went on to direct several acclaimed documentaries and originated 'watchdog', the bbc's long-running investigative series, as well the series 'timewatch' and 'bookmark'. He then set up clark television. One of the first major independent production companies in the uk, producing worldwide current affairs and documentary programmes. He continues to make television series, combining this with writing. He lives in London and north carolina.
About The Book: l love this cover it is perfectly fitting for this book and it is not too bright and not too dull. I love the font.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.
October 19, 2009
Absolutely brilliant book unbelievable
March 20, 2022
Bernard Clark, the author, had decided to write about Alex and her special family because he was mystified and the same time, captivated by them. For the purpose of the book, he spent several years with Alex and her family.
So, he met «nine of the nicest, weirdest. toughest, funniest. most generous, open honest, wackiest, happiest people on the planet. Yes, happiest, because tragedy a state of mind, our minds, no theirs.»
Also, he learned a lot about kids with Down’s syndrome before turning their story into a book.
"Down’s people are still people. some of them may have flatter faces, wider necks or shorter legs than the rest of us, some of them may babble and need forever to wear nappies, but they connect soul-to-soul, which is the hallmark of being part of the humankind."
Turning back to Alex and her story, to adopt children does not mean just dealing with the kids and their needs. It means dealing with authorities, social workers, and bureaucracy. Therefore, Alex found herself in the position to deal with some people who know the theory but do not know or care too much about how their decisions may affect a kid’s life for a long term or forever.
However, reading the book, you will find how a single woman, at 28, battled with social services to adopt her first Down’s syndrome child and becomes one of the first single women in the UK to adopt. You will also find out how she takes on eight more children with disabilities, how she builds relationships with those special kids, but all flourishing in a safe and happy environment, with Alex’s love.
I conclude by saying that we all need to learn that we All are people being born worthy in our special way. We all carry inside a pot of gold.
"There are those who see the rain
And those who see the rainbow.
But only lovers see the pots of gold". (Bernard Clark)
Now, paraphrasing the author: this book is not just a story about disability or adoption, social work or bureaucracy. It is a book about courage, perseverance and, about all, the power of Love.
So, he met «nine of the nicest, weirdest. toughest, funniest. most generous, open honest, wackiest, happiest people on the planet. Yes, happiest, because tragedy a state of mind, our minds, no theirs.»
Also, he learned a lot about kids with Down’s syndrome before turning their story into a book.
"Down’s people are still people. some of them may have flatter faces, wider necks or shorter legs than the rest of us, some of them may babble and need forever to wear nappies, but they connect soul-to-soul, which is the hallmark of being part of the humankind."
Turning back to Alex and her story, to adopt children does not mean just dealing with the kids and their needs. It means dealing with authorities, social workers, and bureaucracy. Therefore, Alex found herself in the position to deal with some people who know the theory but do not know or care too much about how their decisions may affect a kid’s life for a long term or forever.
However, reading the book, you will find how a single woman, at 28, battled with social services to adopt her first Down’s syndrome child and becomes one of the first single women in the UK to adopt. You will also find out how she takes on eight more children with disabilities, how she builds relationships with those special kids, but all flourishing in a safe and happy environment, with Alex’s love.
I conclude by saying that we all need to learn that we All are people being born worthy in our special way. We all carry inside a pot of gold.
"There are those who see the rain
And those who see the rainbow.
But only lovers see the pots of gold". (Bernard Clark)
Now, paraphrasing the author: this book is not just a story about disability or adoption, social work or bureaucracy. It is a book about courage, perseverance and, about all, the power of Love.
April 9, 2022
Alex adalah seorang relawan dari anak-anak disabilitas. Ia mengadopsi 9 anak istimewa yang diasuhnya seperti anak sendiri. Tak Ada orang seperti Alex yang mampu melakukannya.
Alex memiliki anak-anak yang memiliki keistimewaan seperti autisme, down syndrom dan hiperaktif. Ada yang anaknya normal secara mental namun fisiknya lemah dan menghambat tumbuh kembangnya.
Dari buku ini saya belajar banyak perbedaan anak autis dan down syndrom serta keistimewaan serta ciri khas mereka.
Buku ini ditulis oleh seorang jurnalis yang mewawancarai Alex si tokoh untuk dijadikan sebuah cerita. Seharusnya mungkin buku i i bukan sekedar novel melainkan bisa dijadikan biografi. Namun Bernard memaparkan kehidupan Alex dengan runut dan tidak bertele-tele pada karyanya.
Alex memiliki anak-anak yang memiliki keistimewaan seperti autisme, down syndrom dan hiperaktif. Ada yang anaknya normal secara mental namun fisiknya lemah dan menghambat tumbuh kembangnya.
Dari buku ini saya belajar banyak perbedaan anak autis dan down syndrom serta keistimewaan serta ciri khas mereka.
Buku ini ditulis oleh seorang jurnalis yang mewawancarai Alex si tokoh untuk dijadikan sebuah cerita. Seharusnya mungkin buku i i bukan sekedar novel melainkan bisa dijadikan biografi. Namun Bernard memaparkan kehidupan Alex dengan runut dan tidak bertele-tele pada karyanya.
August 6, 2023
This is such a heart warming story. It had me smiling throughout. What a wonderful family to have in this world. Everyone needs an Alex in their knowledge.
Not my normal genre to read but truly inspirational and will definitely be looking into more of these stories.
Not my normal genre to read but truly inspirational and will definitely be looking into more of these stories.
November 21, 2017
It's hard to fathom the resilience and depth of love to adopt one Downs' child let alone seven, plus two more with disabilities. I appreciated the insight into Downs' syndrome, including those with autism, but did feel there were some shortcomings in the writing style, feeling more like an extended news article than an immersive biography.
I do hope the damning exposure of social service bureaucracy has changed/been shaken up since. I suspect it hasn't.
I do hope the damning exposure of social service bureaucracy has changed/been shaken up since. I suspect it hasn't.
May 27, 2020
This Woman is something short of a miracle. Great insight to her life and how the unthinkable can be done.
January 2, 2025
Put aside a long weekend for this one.
July 15, 2025
3.5* What an amazing woman Alex is. Caring, thoughtful, selfless. A true story that will pull at your heart strings.
April 17, 2020
inspirational, reminds me of a foster carer I once had .
it really shows love at its purest form , wish there were more women like alex bell in this world. alex bell is brave for going against the expectations of the world and her parents about getting married.
it really shows love at its purest form , wish there were more women like alex bell in this world. alex bell is brave for going against the expectations of the world and her parents about getting married.
January 19, 2018
Nine children, seven with Down's Syndrome, three with autism and two with life limiting health problems - and their inspired yet practical, determined yet pragmatic mother, Alex, a single woman who from a very early age wanted to adopt the children no one else would help in a system bound up in rules and, indeed, prejudice. The book not only tells the stories of these children and paints a portrait of Alex, it shows how much attitudes towards Down's children have changed. Sadly, it also demonstrates that there are still huge improvements to be made in the future - and Alex is at the forefront of fighting for them. This is not a book to keep, it's one to pass on to a friend.
June 17, 2016
Not everyone that you meet in your life can accept your ugly truth, and this may even include your blood. Even so, there will be someone in your life that God sent to hold your hand and lend their strength to handle your struggles. With a smile they will say 'it might not be perfect, but its going to turn out okay'.
Reading this biography had actually consumed my energy as tears rolled down my cheeks for several chapters. I can't never be grateful enough for what I have but for reading this book.
Reading this biography had actually consumed my energy as tears rolled down my cheeks for several chapters. I can't never be grateful enough for what I have but for reading this book.
December 18, 2012
Totally inspiring... What a truly amazing woman and her children that she fights for every day. Children and adults with special needs are the people we should be fighting for rather than being blind sighted by wars. Start by looking closer to home and helping and healing those around us before we point fingers at others.
January 30, 2016
Ini mungkin yang disebut "panggilan hidup" orang itu beda-beda, ya...
Dan yang dilakukan Alex ini luar biasa: mengasuh anak-anak yang berkebutuhan khusus, yang — karena satu dan lain hal — ga bisa dirawat oleh orang tuanya sendiri.
Pas baca, tiap kali nyinggung soal cucian 9 orang anak yang seabrek itu aja aku udah puyeng~ ☆ﾐ(o*>ω<)ﾉ *apapanggilanhidupku*
Dan yang dilakukan Alex ini luar biasa: mengasuh anak-anak yang berkebutuhan khusus, yang — karena satu dan lain hal — ga bisa dirawat oleh orang tuanya sendiri.
Pas baca, tiap kali nyinggung soal cucian 9 orang anak yang seabrek itu aja aku udah puyeng~ ☆ﾐ(o*>ω<)ﾉ *apapanggilanhidupku*
October 17, 2016
Wow. An exhausting and an inspiring read. The author's style and terminology annoyed me initially but I soon overlooked that as I learned about the people in the Bell family. How far we have come in society's attitude to and treatment of people with disabilities, particularly Down's Syndrome, and how far there still is to go.
January 5, 2009
Great book about caring for children with special needs and adoption in the UK.
January 9, 2016
A true story of one woman's life devoted to fostering and helping Downs Children & babies
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews