YOU WILL DREAM NEW DREAMS: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children With Disabilities

by Stanley D. Klein (Editor), Kim Schive (Editor)

Book by

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Disability, Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how to rate this book. I really have a love-hate relationship with these types of books and I kind of wonder why I keep reading them. Something inside compels me to pick them up and then the whole time I am reading I battle between wanting to scream and throw the stupid thing--- or sob over the beauty of it all. I realize it's a personal problem. This book is a collection of short stories from parents of children with special needs. It really is beautiful and a great look at what parents go through as they receive a diagnosis, grieve over the loss of the life they had planned for their child, and how they learn to live and love those special souls. There is a lot of good advice from "veteran" parents and many nuggets of wisdom to be gleaned. However, at the same time it seems so pointless and frustrating. While reading other stories can help me to feel that I am not alone in my situation-- I am alone, because each child is different and has different abilities/disabilities, personalities, opportunities, families, etc. No one will understand what I am going through because each situation is unique. Sometimes reading these books brings up future problems that I hadn't even thought to worry about yet and just leaves me with increased anxiety instead of peace and relief. Again, it's mostly a personal problem and I probably shouldn't blame the book so much.... but since I couldn't decide if I loved or hated it I just went ahead and gave it 3 stars.

[Gerry Arango · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author of the opening essay of the book, entitled, "What Can I Say?", written what feels like a lifetime ago. I'm proud to have been part of this book of stories, advice, and hopefully of inspiration for now and the future.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very good book but many of the stories are about children with Down syndrome. I wish they had been more inclusive in the different types of disabilities out there.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was both encouraging and heartbreaking....a very real view into the world of families with disabled children. A variety of disabilities were covered which I found helpful. There was also a connection made in hearing from parents of disabled babies, where the emotion was still raw, to gaining wisdom from parents of adult disabled children. The letter/journal format made it easy to read...I would encourage everyone to read this to gain a better understanding of the world of disabilities..but have Kleenex handy! I also loved the title and will keep that thought with me always!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I can't praise it or recommend it highly enough. I would agree, though, that it might be too hard to read in the turmoil of a new diagnosis. At some point though, eventually, every parent of a child with a disability of any kind should read this. Comfort, empathy, understanding and hope in every story.

[Kay Mcaloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Hearing stories from other parents that have gone through and are going through the same thing you are is so helpful and enforces that you don't have to go through it alone. Thank you to all of the parents and the authors for sharing your experiences!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still too depressing for me to read, I get a few pages in and start to cry. My mom loved it though so I will try again. Someday.

[Almira · Rating 4 out of 5]

insightful and helpful to me as a parent of a child with severe food allergies that affect his life in every way imaginable