Hello everyone!

I just finished a great book- Road Map to Holland. I recommend it to anyone involved with a child born with any sort of disability. As a physician, mother and aunt of a child with special needs, this book touched me in so many ways.

The author, Jennifer Graf Groneberg, had one healthy son and wanted another child. She soon became pregnant with twins boys. A few days after the premature birth of her twins, one of them was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She shares with us her journey of initial shock, fear and anxiety. We witness, through the eyes of this loving parent, how our medical community addresses these types of situations. Our hearts reach out to Jennifer and her boys (including Tom, her husband). We watch her transform into an accepting parent who clearly realizes the gift she has received in all of her sons, each one having his own individual personality and talents.

I also had twin boys born prematurely, with an older son at home. Her book brought me back to my days in the NICU. Her raw honesty was both refreshing and painful. I relived some of my worst memories through her stories. I am amazed at how a NICU in Montana can be so similar to a NICU in Illinois. Or is it that postpartum, hormonal women view the world in a similar way?

Her book is filled with hope and love. She now writes a wonderful blog (Pinwheels) that is an inspiration and resource for all mothers/caregivers who are also trying to cope with a similar situation.

I am proud to be affiliated with an institution that has an Adult Down syndrome Center. It’s been part of my “charities” blogroll since I started this blog.

Thank you Jennifer for your wonderful book!

Have you read a great book lately? Feel free to share it with everyone in my comments section.