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Preface, 7
Acknowledgments, 9
SECTION I--THE PARENTS SPEAK
Poem, by Edwin Markham, 15
1. David Means Beloved-Story of David Hundley, 17
Young parents are devastated by the news that their first child is mentally retarded. Yet, through his exceptional ability to generate love, they are able to accept his condition and find the meaningful realization of a great blessing.
Poem, "No Sad Goodbyes," 31
2. Our Long Wait-Story of Jamie Todd Karren, 33
A couple receive the news that their third child has cerebral palsy and may never walk. Their searching, their faith and their prayers bring about a miracle.
3. "Doctor, Where is Your Faith?"--Story of Jim Christensen, 38
When a person is drastically impaired by a sudden accident, it takes great faith and courage to overcome the problems which face the family, but sometimes the seemingly impossible can be done.
Poem, "To Each a Rose, to Each a Thorn," 48
4. The Understanding Heart-Story of Merrill Stanley, 50
A mother wrestles with the acceptance of her abnormal child. Retarded and physically ill from an unknown cause, her son teaches her the meaning of true love and dedication.
5. From Frogs to Football--Story of Don Hundley, 56
Following difficulties at birth, a boy continued to fight for life, long after doctors have said there was no hope. Though his body was weak and somewhat deformed, this young boy showed extraordinary strength in character and the will to live.
Poem, "I Walked with You," 65
6. The Bee Sting--Story of Janet Baird, 67
A mother who is pregnant with twins goes into anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. One of the babies is severely affected. Family support and strong testimonies bring peace and comfort.
Poem, "Perpetual Child", 70
7. The Power of Love--Story of Mike Brown, 72
Through the help of parents who refused to let him give in to his handicap, a boy paralyzed by polio learns to not only face life, but to make it happy and meaningful.
8. Our Lovable Johnny--Story of Johnny Taylor, 85
Mongoloid children were something which happened only to other people, thought this mother. Having one of her own helped her to change her whole outlook toward handicapped people.
Poem, "Special Child", 91
9. My Experience has Taught Me--By Beatrice Kingsley, 93
The mother of a spastic child learned from the experiences and problems which faced her in the raising of her son. Through education and hard work, she has been able to help others and has dedicated her life to this cause.
SECTION II--THE HANDICAPPED SPEAK
Poem, "Each in His Own Way," 103
10. Get on with the Business of Living--Mike Johnson, 105
A young soldier volunteers to fight for his country and returns home without his legs and parts of his hands. With the help of his family and others, he is able to meet the many challenges which face him and become an outstanding athlete and example to all.
11. Only in the Eyes of Man--Lorna Simper, 113
Parents are told that their infant daughter is seriously cerebral palsied. Though she is expected to be nothing more than a vegetable by her doctors, her story tells of success upon success.
Poem, "God Granted Me a Stumble", 119
12. The Challenges of My Life--Margaret Van Noy, 121
A birth-defective baby is born with parts of her body missing. She consistently accomplishes goals that others say she cannot reach. Her story offers suggestions which can be of great help to parents of handicapped children.
13. My Chair and I--Dennis Dean, 127
A muscular dystrophy victim learns to live with the trials of being disabled and to accept the wheelchair in which he must move about for the rest of his life. He tells that overcoming a handicap is hard work, but can present wonderful opportunities.
14. The Pool--Steven Anderson, 131
An Idaho farm couple have a baby who is found to have cerebral palsy. In his own words, he shares some of his inner feelings and memories of his life as a "different" boy.
15. Look Beyond the Shadows--Susan Parkin LeBaron, 136
A beautiful, dark-haired girl has a convulsion at school. Through the years, she has many more. Her feelings, self-concept struggles and the fears she encounters, paint an interesting picture of the epileptic. Her parents also discuss their points of view.
16. Coping with Deafness--Richard Moore, 148
A little boy does not hear until he is five years old. He must work to correct and improve his life patterns. Now grown, he has struggled through many adjustments, and has developed a special outlook on life.
17. My Handicap is a Blessing--Maurice Bowman, 152
Most people fear blindness more than any other handicap. This young man helps the reader reduce that fear. He tells of the rich, full life a blind person can lead.
18. Problems are Stepping Stones Toward Growth--Bonnie Consolo, 156
Born to a poor family, a small-town Kentucky girl is determined that her life will not be wasted, even though she must Iive it without her hands and arms. She believes that bad mental attitudes toward handicaps are some of the greatest roadblocks in our society and she set out early in life to prove that having definite goals and working constantly toward them can produce unbelievable accomplishments.
SECTION III--RAISING A HANDICAPPED CHILD
19. Emotional Reaction and Adjustment of Parents of Handicapped Children, 162
Parents of a child who is pronounced as having a defect or handicap, go through typical stages of reaction and adjustment. An understanding of these normal reactions will help parents move through this transitory period and help their child and the family successfully adjust.
20. Parenting of a Handicapped Child, 169
There are an estimated fifteen million Americans whose lives are affected by birth defects. A knowledge of how to prevent certain defects, as well as how to be a successful parent to a handicapped child, is discussed.
21. A Religious Look at the Handicapped, 184
The key to helping the handicapped is to know the purpose of life itself. The purpose of life is tied to the religious experience of man. This chapter explores the differing religious philosophies of where the handicapped fit into the plan of God.
Appendix--Resources for Working with the Handicapped, 195
Knowledge is power. Nowhere is this more evident than when a family is hit with a birth defect or some kind of physical or mental handicap. Seeking help from known, professional sources can make the difference between success or failure. Lists of handicapping disorders and names of corresponding professional "help" organizations are given.
Bibliography, 211
The bibliography lists outstanding books in the birth defect and handicapped area, with comments about the content of many of them. There are also several books listed for their inspirational qualities in helping us all to meet our problems in life.
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