“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
Here is a short list of some of my favorite books about disability:
Far from the Tree– Andrew Solomon. Don’t be intimidated by the size of it- the stories are incredibly compelling and his writing so beautiful it makes reading it a joy. For a parent of a child with disabilities this book was a godsend.
The Brain that Changes Itself– Norman Doige. A fascinating look at neuroplasticity. It gives you hope for anyone you love with neurological issues. Very fun to read.
Kids Beyond Limits– Anat Baniel. This author has developed her own modified version of Feldencrist for kids with special needs and believes that variation is the key to facilitating learning in kids with challenges.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down– Anne Fadiman. An unforgettable story of the collision between culture and medicine. The author weaves together the perspectives of medical professionals and a Hmong family whose ability to care for a child with profound medical challenges is questioned. A must read for medical professionals.
The Horse Boy- Rupert Isaacson- a families journey to the plains of Mongolia in hopes of curing their son’s autism through shamanic healing.
The Boy in the Moon- Ian Brown. This book was really hard for me to read, I felt unsettled for most of it, but it did give me perspective on some what my husband was going through.
Here is a website with a comprehensive list of books written about disability:
http://www.nlcdd.org/resources-books-movies-disability.html
please don't cue the sad music 