""From beginning to end this book kept me riveted and on an emotional rollercoaster. Julie brings Kanner's Autism sharply into focus, with all the trials and tribulations the family have experienced. Everyone will take something special away with them from thie excellent and informative book."" - Rev. Jan McDonald, Mental Health Care Chaplain DescriptionChristopher's Story was written for my son in the hope of raising awareness of (Kanner's) autism and severe challenging behaviour. It is primarily a story of love and of a determination to remain together as a family, when the only alternative offered was residential care. The book details our fight to secure schooling, accommodation and social services support - the later issue has yet to be resolved. I would truly love others to look beyond the disability and see Christopher for who he really is. I hope this book goes some way towards making this a reality. Julie Telfer
Part biography, part social commentary, and part cold case, a compelling tale of the author's descent into his son's problems and the madness of the perpetual dysfunction of the country's mental health system. There is an astonishing level of detail taken from reports, evaluations, and the author's own journal entries, as he records his frustration, heartbreak, as well as a fair amount of humor. The MH system appears as bureaucratic maze of incompetence and callousness more interested in collecting insurance payments and protecting itself from liability than in assisting others. The failure of the system in the case of the author's son has disastrous results. Physically abused at the age of one and a half by his own biological father, the subject of this book commits physical abuse to an infant twenty-one years later with fatal consequences. And just when readers have thought it couldn't get any worse, there is a twist at the end that is beyond belief. Staring when the boy was four, the author writes of his efforts to raise his son by himself. It is clear from the beginning that Christopher has emotional problems, and the author seeks help. However, the boy is continuously misdiagnosed as ADHD with the solution being to try another medication. Indications that the boy is brain-damaged are ignored for many years. In school learning takes a back seat to behavior management. Adolescence brings violence, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual advances, and turns in and out of placements. At a crucial stage where both father and son are pleading for help, the MH system does not even return phone calls. Throughout the emphasis is on the failure of the MH system rather than the possible shortcomings of individuals. Pseudonyms are used to maintain the focus on the system. The author concludes by citing crucial points in his son's life were opportunities for interventions were missed. He also cites long standard practices in the MH field that deflect accountability and keep the system inefficient. Recommendations for changes in the system are made. In the book's final passage, the author citing a case of a student in the last year in which the recommendations by the MH system are totally inappropriate for the student. Keywords: Mental Health, Medication, Counseling, Brain Damage, Special Education, ADHD, Psychological Evaluation, Bender-Gestalt, Rubisch, MRI
A bestselling modern classic—both poignant and funny—narrated by a fifteen year old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions. Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour’s dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing. Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher’s mind. And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.
The legend of Saint Christopher, first written in the thirteenth century, tells the story of a strong man named Offero, who wants to find the greatest ruler in all the world and to serve him as his bearer. Offero's search is in vain until a mysterious child at a riverside asks Offero to carry him over the river. Only after Offero has carried the child over the river does he discover the child's true identity. Then Offero's name is changed to Christopher. / Author Margaret Hodges retells with power and simplicity this unforgettable tale of the man who became known as the patron saint of travelers. And illustrator Richard Jesse Watson has created hypnopompic paintings that dramatically capture Offero's journey and the brilliance of his discovery of the One he sought. / Based on old nursery rhymes, the poetic text by Newbery Honor winner Kathi Appelt and the beautiful light-filled paintings of Debra Reid Jenkins combine to make this gentle bedtime story a perfect illustration of God s abiding love.
Christropher Cothran's suicide changed the lives of his family, forever. His Mother and author, Jennifer, shares her journey from grief, experiencing loss, to the peaceful place of hope. The Cothran family shares this painful journey in order to help other families who are experiencing grief.
"Kristin Masterwood and her boyfriend, Kane Hill, up the ante by going into her attic to re-enact scenes described in Christopher Dollanganger's diary"--Provided by publisher.
Fans of Room on the Broom and How to Catch a Monster will love this creepy-cute tale about one pumpkin who must learn to embrace his differences when he realizes he's unlike the other pumpkins. Perfect for Halloween! Christopher Pumpkin is not like all the other evil pumpkin spawn of the wicked old witch. Christopher prefers cupcakes and hugs to cobwebs and slugs, unlike the rest of the pumpkin brood. But when the creepy clan starts planning the SCARIEST Halloween party ever, Christopher's cheerful ideas for décor and treats cause a bit of a stir. Can he find a way to scare everyone and stay true to himself?
While her father is in the hospital, 13-year-old Isla befriends Harry, the first boy to understand her love of the outdoors, and as Harry's health fails, Isla tries to help both him and the lone swan they see, struggling to fly, on the lake outside Harry's window.
Christopher was seventeen and had everything to live for. He was smart, charismatic, loving, and deeply loved, and a champion rugby player. Yet he was struggling. Diagnosed a year earlier with depression and severe anxiety, he hid his fears from family and friends. Finally, Christopher chose to stop fighting. This is the story of Christopher's shocking death and its tragic aftermath for the family. It is also the story of a mother and father's love, and their determination not to lose another son to the temptation of taking his own life. Honest, raw, and deeply moving, Jayne's account brings to life the visceral experience of grief and the long, painful journey towards finding meaning in life again. This is compelling and inspirational reading for anyone affected by the death of a young person. 'The cruellest loss in the world is the death of a child, no matter what their age. This is a fine and moving book about a mother's difficult path to finding meaning in life again after the loss of her child.' - Anne Deveson, author of Tell Me I'm Here 'Her journey through grief is enveloping, harrowing, even excruciating at times, at others poignant and revealing.' - Mal McKissock, author of Coping with Grief
