Book In Review

       Actress Jenny McCarthy has written a book filled with chilling insight into the agony that a parent feels when their child’s health is threatened by all of the unknown’s, associated with Autism. 

       The hopes and dreams that she had for her child were fading before her eyes…but, she didn’t recognize the fact that he was unable to connect with others in a typical way that most children do.  She found herself making excuses for his lack of involvement, she found herself rationalizing his excitable little habits such as flapping his arms as “cute”, she found herself isolating him from normal play dates with other children because it became too painful to compare his more slowly developed milestones.  This is very normal for parents of special needs children. 

         But, once her son was diagnosed…Jenny did not just accept the diagnosis without searching for answers to the unexplained health crisis that her son faced with his compromised immune system.  She trained herself to research the answers so that she could help to pull her son “through the small window of time” that she had to help minimize the damage to her son’s well-being.

         This book is one example of encouragement…to other parents of special needs children.  Find support groups…share information…learn all that you can…and try not to just accept a label. 

          There is a word of caution that i will impart here:  Jenny does use quite a bit of angry, vulgar words throughout the book.  I would say that she definately was under some difficult stress during this time…but, i do know that she does use the language often.  She is a talented writer and communicator…but, i did want to give a bit of warning to those who have not read her other books that the language is present between the pages. 

            Jenny is the epitome of a mother bear…fighting to protect her young cub.  Her son is blessed to have a mother so determined to go to any lengths to help her son…he is very loved; you can tell from reading the book.  And because of that mother’s love and dedication, her son has been able to improve.

            The book is scattered throughout with many words of wisdom.  There are tips for parents to wade through the rounds of doctor appointments and advice.    Again though, Jenny is a celebrity…and not everyone is so blessed to have connections.  The problem with the diagnosis of Autism is that there is a rash or epidemic of diagnosis’s right now…so, there are long waiting lists for therapists, doctors, specialists,nutritionists and so on.  Jenny was able to cut through some of the red tape…but, the real message here is to be persistent.  Noone knows your child like you do…and noone will fight harder for his/her well-being than you will!