Book Review

Title: Reflections from a Different Journey: What Adults with Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew 

Author: Stanley Klein & John D. Kemp

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2004

Cloth, ISBN: 0071422692, 224 pp.

Cost: $18.95 USD

Reviewer: Mike Reynolds

      Klein and KempÕs book is a refreshing anthology geared towards new parents or parents of young children with disabilities.  Far from offering the same gloom and doom my folks were told by Òthe expertÓ doctors, the stories here show a realistic, enlightened, enjoyable and humorous, yet incredibly honest view of growing up with a disability.  The work accomplishes what it sets out to do, demystifying the diagnosis of disability.  In showing people with disabilities as humans who have the same goals, desires and dreams as every child, not only does the book speak to parents, but also furthers the available literature in the realm of disability culture. For anyone active in the disability rights community, authors who are peers, such as Gregor Wolbring and Mike Ervin, provide valuable information about their lives.  
      This work, while intended for parents with disabilities, is a solid read for anyone with a disability.  Many of the shared challenges we face, such as acceptance in school, getting proper education, and struggling to live independently and figure out our own paths in life are addressed.  The price of the book is small in comparison to the many times one would look at it for advice, check for a different way of doing something, or just for a relaxing read.  
      After reading this, I  realized my mother would love this book and plan on purchasing it for her as a holiday gift, if  only to confirm  the popular notion that  fighting to keep me included in my peer group was the only way IÕd live independently Ð she was right, as were the parents in this book.