Melanie Bennett
Learning to Dance in the Rain
“I wish that I could educate every person on earth about what it’s like to live daily with an autistic child. I wish I could give everyone a glimpse into our world – the trials and victories, the heartbreak and humor that tangles its way through our lives and hearts. I would like to invite the world to trade judgment for understanding, and snide remarks for encouragement.”
So says Melanie Bennett in her introduction to Learning to Dance in the Rain. In my opinion, this book goes a long way towards doing exactly that.
Learning to Dance in the Rain in a poignant, heartfelt look into the life of the caregivers of special needs (in this case, autism) children. The straightforward, matter-of-fact style of writing informs and educates the reader without the demands for pity which sometimes accompany these types of accounts.
Click on the cover Bennett pulls us into the story. We fall in love with Reagan, cheer with her in her accomplishments go to Amazon and to agonize with her caregivers over her set-backs.
This book gives us plenty of food for thought. Even though we may not know anyone with autism personally, we have probably all seen a child misbehave in public. Perhaps after reading this book, we will not be so quick to judge the parent or caregiver, but extend a helping hand or an encouraging word. And, if we take the lessons from Learning to Dance in the Rain, we may learn to appreciate special needs children – and adults – for who they are and dance in the rain with them.
This book is an enjoyable account of one child and caregiver’s year well worth the read.
So says Melanie Bennett in her introduction to Learning to Dance in the Rain. In my opinion, this book goes a long way towards doing exactly that.
Learning to Dance in the Rain in a poignant, heartfelt look into the life of the caregivers of special needs (in this case, autism) children. The straightforward, matter-of-fact style of writing informs and educates the reader without the demands for pity which sometimes accompany these types of accounts.
Click on the cover Bennett pulls us into the story. We fall in love with Reagan, cheer with her in her accomplishments go to Amazon and to agonize with her caregivers over her set-backs.
This book gives us plenty of food for thought. Even though we may not know anyone with autism personally, we have probably all seen a child misbehave in public. Perhaps after reading this book, we will not be so quick to judge the parent or caregiver, but extend a helping hand or an encouraging word. And, if we take the lessons from Learning to Dance in the Rain, we may learn to appreciate special needs children – and adults – for who they are and dance in the rain with them.
This book is an enjoyable account of one child and caregiver’s year well worth the read.