Finding the "Special" in Special Needs

Quotes from 6^th grade students after attending this session (in a classroom):

“Jake’s story effects me because now I know how people with disabilities struggle. I know that I take things for granted and should be more thankful…”

“Listening today taught me that people with disabilities can be the center of the family and can help keep everyone together.”

In 2001, when our youngest son was born, life as we knew it was forever changed. Jake had severe brain damage and his prognosis was bleak. Doctors said he couldn't hear and couldn't see, and that babies like him didn't live past their first birthday.

They were wrong... on all counts. Maybe they hadn't factored in Jake's determination to beat the odds; maybe they hadn't known how much his family would love and care for him. It turned out he could see and hear, and he lived to 28 months.

When Jake died in 2003, I wrote the first draft of Super Jake & the King of Chaos two months later. I wrote it so his big brothers (7 and 11 at the time) would remember what it was like having him in our lives. And I wrote it so other people could get a glimpse of what our life with him was like.

In this Talkabook program we will explore the joys, challenges and day-to-day life of having a child - or sibling - with special needs. We'll talk about Jake's army of therapists and show how they worked with him; discuss judging a book - or person - by their appearance; and explore objects on the book cover and how they relate to both the book and to Jake himself.

I look forward to meeting you... and to you meeting Super Jake!