A Different Life: Growing Up Learning Disabled and Other Adventures

by Quinn Bradlee, Jeff Himmelman

Ten percent of the population is affected by a learning disability, but few of us understand what being learning disabled (LD) is really like. When he was fourteen, Bradlee was diagnosed with Velo-Cardio-Facial-Syndrome (VCFS), a wide-spread, little-understood disorder that is expressed through a wide range of physical ailments and learning disabilities. In this funny, moving, and often irreverent book, Bradlee tells his own inspirational story of growing up as an LD kid—and of doing so as the child of larger-than-life, formidably accomplished parents: long-time Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee and bestselling author Sally Quinn. From his difficulties reading social cues, to his cringe-worthy loss of sexual innocence, Bradlee describes the challenges and joys of living “a different life” with disarming candor and humor. By the end of A Different Life he will have become, if not your best friend, one of your favorite people.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2009

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoir by a guy in his mid-20s with a genetic disorder, velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) that proved to be tough to diagnose and has numerous physical and cognitive effects. It was a little disconcerting that he identifies his difficulties mainly as a learning disability, which he definitely has, but the syndrome itself affects other areas and there are of course many many people with learning disorders who do not have VCFS.

The writing isn't terrific, and the organization is fairly random, but I enjoyed reading it. He seems like a very sincere guy willing to be quite candid about the emotional aspects of feeling different from other kids, trying to learn how to communicate with girls (apparently one of the common VCFS effects is having difficulty reading social cues), wanting to help others (besides this book, he's started a social networking site for kids with learning disorders).

The book includes periodically extended comments by a physician/researcher with expertise in VCFS and by the author's parents, who are well-known journalists Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee. A minor theme in the story is how their prominence and wealth affect his access to jobs, tutors, medical expertise, etc.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I'd liked this book more - Quinn's tale of what it was like growing up with VCFS is interesting and his "voice" is engaging. Part of my problem is that he is the son of Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee, so his story is also that of a rich child with VCFS and parents that could afford good treatment, good schools, etc. (not that it always turned out good for Quinn socially). It's admirable that he wants to be so open and honest about his life to help us understand what it is like to not be "normal", but by virtue of his birth he'd never have been "normal".

Still, his descriptions of being learning disabled and the struggles he (and others) go through will help those of us that aren't on that curve understand, and thus have a positive impact on those less economically fortunate than he.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book, only got halfway. While I give him credit for overcoming HUGE obstacles, the simplistic writing ( and repetition) were too much for me to overcome. I did enjoy the parts written by his parents and skimmed through and read those. They are all lucky to have each other.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for insight and instead felt that I was intruding. That, combined with the way it is written, made it impossible for me to enjoy. It reads like a 4th grader's book report.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book for my graduate counseling course, as we read fiction, memoirs, and essays written about or by people with disabilities. I also teach a cleft palate/craniofacial disorders course and it is very hard to find memoirs on that topic, so I was thrilled to find this book about velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). While VCFS occurs rarely overall, it is one of the most common craniofacial disorders.

Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly like this book. It is very poorly written. As a speech-language pathologist who works with people with language learning disabilities and dyslexia like Quinn had, one would expect impaired language skills and difficulty writing. I don’t fault Quinn for that. However, he had a co-writer and an editor. I think that often people aren’t as honest with disabled people and dance around so as not to hurt their feelings. That is not fair to the person with disabilities and is not helping them be the best version of themselves. Quinn’s story is compelling and would be helped with some ghost writing and a more exacting editor. As written, this book is repetitive and the writing is at about a 5th grade level (vocabulary and syntax, not content) that makes it painful to read as an adult. I also found Quinn’s constant objectification of women off-putting. I totally understand that he wanted to be loved and wanted a romantic relationship, but constantly wording it in terms of “getting laid” and not an actual reciprocal relationship was icky. I doubt I’ll be using this book for my class in the future.

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this memoir book and learning about Quinn's life and his specific medical conditions and how he's lived his life. His style of writing is fun and easier to get through compared to a lot of books that drag on for too long. I found this book by accident when I was looking for another author whose last name began with Br. I'm going to talk more about this book in one of my upcoming YouTube videos. Please look at my videos and books if you'd like to help me out, just search for me, Adam Kovynia. I like Quinn's honesty and funny stories such as his trip to St. Martin or how he misunderstood a compliment when classmates told him he made a "sick" drawing.

[June Ding · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author’s last name caught my eyes while I was browsing book shelves. The book turns out a recount of 26 years of life of a rich kid with disability, and that is all there is to say about the book.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for the young adult section of the library or bookstore.

[Bayla Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. Really gave insight into the persons experience and his brain.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son has 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22Q), which is the same syndrome that Quinn has. I purchased this book in 2009 when it came out to get a 'glimpse' into someone else's life who has this syndrome. I am appreciative to Quinn and his family for writing his story-- and letting us know that it will be okay and he'll likely be a functioning adult.

As my son will be entering High School soon, I re-read this and am glad I did because it gave a voice to some things he struggles with.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quinn Bradlee is the son of former "Washington Post" editor Ben Bradlee and his wife, reporter Sally Quinn. Quinn was born with a heart defect and had a number of health issues throughout his life. When he was 14, he was finally diagnosed with VCFS (velo-cardio-facial syndrome) a genetic abnormality which is the second most often occurring disability (Down's Syndrome is number one.) One consequence of the syndrome is having a learning disability. I read this book since I am married to a man with a severe learning disability (dyslexia), the mother of a son with a mild learning disability (dysgraphia) and taught students with learning disabilities in public schools for a number of years. I wished to compare Quinn's experiences with my observations. Quinn's prose seems brash, yet I know this partially relative to having a learning disability and might partially be due to his recognition of his parents' celebrity. At times I cringed, recognizing "traps" Quinn found himself in during his schooling. Thankfully, Quinn and his parents found a school and teachers who concentrated on Quinn's strengths. If only we could do this for all students - special needs or not.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book in my daughter, Annelies', pile from the library and felt compelled to pick it up. It is a short ride, a read from the point of view of the learning disabled person. I am always wondering why some things I just don't get and others I get very well. Quinn has a learning disability, which is connected to physical illnesses. He has surmounted surgeries, illnesses and knows too well how hospitals work. But he has also been blessed with parents who were able to help him. Not only in the obvious way, as in they had lots of money to pay for tutors and private schools, but in the way that he was their only child, they had him late in life, and simply had time to spend with him. Most parents cannot spend days in a hospital room, they have to work or take care of other kids. It was very enlightening to see things from his viewpoint. I hope this helps me understand my students who have disabilites.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the mother of a young woman who has VCFS and can relate to the experiences of Quinn and his family. Although he comes from a high profile, wealthy family, he has really been through it with poor health and the loneliness of not being able to fit in socially. This book certainly helped me to more fully understand some of my own daughter's specific difficulties which are presenting new challenges now she has reached adulthood. I found the contributions from Dr Shprintzen particularly informative. Unlike many professionals who focus on diagnosis, he actually suggests positive ways of supporting young people with VCFS. There has been some criticism of the writing style, organisation etc. However, I think that the Jeff Himmelman has done an excellent job of putting the book together while still retaining Quinn's own speaking voice. I wish Quinn the best of luck with his campaign to raise awareness of VCFS.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quinn Bradlee was born with the same syndrome that my son, Damon, has. Although the title of his book uses the words "Learning Disabled" instead of the syndrome name, VCFS, (apparently in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience), the story is specifically about Quinn's struggles with VCFS and its particular quirks. This fills a need for those of us touched by this syndrome who have had a hard time finding information in the past, but I imagine it will be too narrow subject-wise for other readers. This is yet another self-indulgent super-casual memoir-style story; not high-level writing quality, but it's not meant to be. It was a quick, easy read. I personally benefited the most from the chapters by doctors and teachers, who offered insight I had not previously known about VCFS.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good experience to hear about the struggles of a young adult with both physical illnesses and learning differences. Several themes run through the book and though he had all the services and therapies money could buy, it couldn't fix him. i'm wondering how it might have been different if there had been more emphasis on his strengths growing up. This is Quinn's book so it seen through his lens. I think it could have been more compelling if others on the journey had added in their thoughts. Good resources and links to his website and Facebook pages. Would recommend to teens and young adults who learn differently!

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love to see learning from the viewpoint of the student, the learner. From Quinn Bradlee I learned "It's just hard for me to find motivation sometimes" (109). He's son of Ben Bradlee, who was editor of the Washington Post during the Watergate era, and Sally Quinn, the writer. He says he'd trade all his wealth for "a brain that worked right." (110)

But I didn't find much more here. Quinn's life reminds me of what someone --whose name I mercifully forget -- once said of me: His life might be worth an essay, but not a book.

[Karenlynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching Read- nice to hear his stuggles through his own words. Once again shows how our western views of education and self worth are on what we can't do. Quinn was fornute to have wealth on his side- not all with learning disablilities are given some of the opportunities he had. Still a honest and moving story.

[Ruthann Kain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! and hats off to Quinn Bradlee for writing it!! I have registered at the "Friends of Quinn" website mentioned in the book too. I look for this to be a book that I recommend to some of my college-bound LD students next year. Proof that if you put your mind to it, it might take a little longer, or a different path; but you can do it! very uplifting.

[Roberta Grogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Quinn Bradlee (and Jeff Himmelman) wrote a particularly poignant book. Quinn was so wonderful to open up and share his experiences. As a mom of a differently abled young man, I was able to take so much away from my reading. Sure Quinn is of noble stock, however his candidness and openness is his own. Grateful for this read.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, although his language is a little raw a times. I can't say that I learned a lot about VCFS, but I did contemplate a little more about how those struggling with learning disabilities feel.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good, got done with it in one day. His mom seems a little over the top.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting glimpse into the world of learning disabilities. His voice is honest and approachable.

[Lobstergirl]

The spawn of Sally Quinn speaketh.

[Joella Tunnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gave some honest insights to how it feels to have learning disabilities. This was the first I have heard of his disability, VCFS.

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is our family book club, by my daughter's recommendation.
I really enjoyed this book

[Nancy]

Reading this book outloud to KK... lots of cussing in it!

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. Some interesting insights on having a learning disability. Certainly not the normal experience though, since he comes from a tremendously wealthy background.

[Kellie hoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Paula Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quinn is articulate in his ability to share his first person account of the trials and tribulations of living with a mental disability. A well crafted memoir.

[Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

214 Pages