Finished October 11
Memoirs of a Mongol without a Pony by R. G. Stern
This memoir was dictated to his father by Shane Stern, a man born with Down's Syndrome. Shane tells us his life story from his earliest memories in Florida through moves to Minneapolis, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and most recently Tucson. Shane is a happy person, looking for things that interest him, and game for a try at most activities. His mother is an artist, and his father a doctor, and through them he has been exposed to many wonderful opportunities to meet a range of people. But Shane is also a friendly and outgoing person unafraid of strangers, approaching each of them as a potential friend. From a young age, he was interested in sports, spending hours engaged in physical activity such as basketball, swimming, and gymnastics, giving him an interest in others engaged in the same activities. He analyzes activities and figures out for himself the best way to go about doing them for himself, from bowling to sweeping. He is a particular fan of the Temple basketball team, and has a longstanding superfan notoriety with them. He also is non judgemental, expecting people to behave well, and thus often leading them to behaviour well. However, he is capable of mischief, and has a fondness for swearing, along with a good sense of humour.
He makes friends wherever he goes from inner city schools to sports events to art galleries. He looks for the fun in life and therefore usually finds some. I like his attitude.
His life story, thus far, is filled with wonderful friends, a vast array of experiences others would envy, and love and caring from friends and family.
Showing posts with label Downs Syndrome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downs Syndrome. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
Monday, 5 September 2016
Never Come Back
Finished August 29
Never Come Back by David Bell
This suspense novel opens with graduate student Elizabeth Hampton entering her childhood home in the small college town of Dover, Ohio, after being called by police. After learning that her mother is dead, and the circumstances of her death are suspicious, Elizabeth's immediate worry is about her older brother Ronnie. Ronnie still lives with their mother and since he has Down's Syndrome, relies on her for many things. He is high functioning, working and going to community activities. He was the one who found their mother when he came home late after being sent to a neighbours and not being picked up again.
Elizabeth is feeling guilty because after an argument with her mom, she hasn't talked to her in weeks. She calls on her uncle Paul for help, and on her on again off again boyfriend Dan. As events unfold and Elizabeth feels more vulnerable and that the police aren't looking beyond the obvious, she takes matters into her own hands to follow the clues in her mother's will to find the secrets of the past.
This is a novel of family secrets, of betrayals, and of the changing nature of families. Elizabeth is smart and determined to make a better life for herself, but she learns that she can't do it alone and must open herself up to others to truly live.
Never Come Back by David Bell
This suspense novel opens with graduate student Elizabeth Hampton entering her childhood home in the small college town of Dover, Ohio, after being called by police. After learning that her mother is dead, and the circumstances of her death are suspicious, Elizabeth's immediate worry is about her older brother Ronnie. Ronnie still lives with their mother and since he has Down's Syndrome, relies on her for many things. He is high functioning, working and going to community activities. He was the one who found their mother when he came home late after being sent to a neighbours and not being picked up again.
Elizabeth is feeling guilty because after an argument with her mom, she hasn't talked to her in weeks. She calls on her uncle Paul for help, and on her on again off again boyfriend Dan. As events unfold and Elizabeth feels more vulnerable and that the police aren't looking beyond the obvious, she takes matters into her own hands to follow the clues in her mother's will to find the secrets of the past.
This is a novel of family secrets, of betrayals, and of the changing nature of families. Elizabeth is smart and determined to make a better life for herself, but she learns that she can't do it alone and must open herself up to others to truly live.
Labels:
Downs Syndrome,
Families,
Hidden Past,
Ohio,
Suspense
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