I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice
by Elizabeth M. Bonker and Virginia G. Breen
I Am in Here is the only book I’ve read on autism. Therefore, I can’t compare this book to any others on this topic. I Am in Here is classified as an inspirational memoir.
If you are a looking for a book describing autism in great detail, this is not the book. But if you are looking for a book that shows the humanity in autism, this one will do the job.
Virginia Breen allows us to share a small part of her life and the lives of her two autistic children, Elizabeth and Charles. I Am in Here is primarily about Elizabeth. We catch a glimpse of her intellect, emotions, feelings, and suffering through her poignant poetry.
Virginia is determined her children will get the best education the public school system has to offer. She surrounds her children with “How people” not “you can’t” people. The team of professionals Virginia gathers push Elizabeth and Charles to achieve beyond what the naysayers think possible.
I Am in Here shines with a perpetual hope. A hope that keeps simmering in spite of the darkness that comes with a debilitating illness. Their hope flares up into renewed excitement and strength when they try new treatments and see even small advances, then it settles down to a simmer again as it waits for the right ingredient to bring it to life again.
Elizabeth’s poetry becomes a voice of the voiceless. We see that she desires what we all desire - acceptance, hope, peace, love.
Virginia’s thoughts on autism can relate to most devastating diseases that grip a family. We experienced the same feelings with my husband's dementia. My granddaughter has been gripped by a mysterious illness that has thrown her family into a helplessness that Virginia describes here:
“One of the many cruelties of autism is that it turns legions of otherwise capable people into helpless observers. We have been given a ringside seat to a torturous display of human suffering.” p 212
“There have been many dark moments in our journey, moments I’ve chosen not to make the focus of this book. Moments when the desperation is so great, it threatens to swallow me whole. Dark nights when fear and helplessness are my only companions. Days when hope feels dead and joy some distant memory.” p. 212
Ah, yes! That’s how it is.
I highly recommend I Am in Here for insight into those who live with autism. As far as its presentation of Christianity, I think it falls short. Just keep that in mind and you will gain much from this book.
I received a copy of I Am in Here from Revell/Baker Publishing.
by Elizabeth M. Bonker and Virginia G. Breen
I Am in Here
is the only book I’ve read on autism. Therefore, I can’t compare this book to any others on this topic. I Am in Here is classified as an inspirational memoir.If you are a looking for a book describing autism in great detail, this is not the book. But if you are looking for a book that shows the humanity in autism, this one will do the job.
Virginia Breen allows us to share a small part of her life and the lives of her two autistic children, Elizabeth and Charles. I Am in Here
is primarily about Elizabeth. We catch a glimpse of her intellect, emotions, feelings, and suffering through her poignant poetry.Virginia is determined her children will get the best education the public school system has to offer. She surrounds her children with “How people” not “you can’t” people. The team of professionals Virginia gathers push Elizabeth and Charles to achieve beyond what the naysayers think possible.
I Am in Here
shines with a perpetual hope. A hope that keeps simmering in spite of the darkness that comes with a debilitating illness. Their hope flares up into renewed excitement and strength when they try new treatments and see even small advances, then it settles down to a simmer again as it waits for the right ingredient to bring it to life again.Elizabeth’s poetry becomes a voice of the voiceless. We see that she desires what we all desire - acceptance, hope, peace, love.
Virginia’s thoughts on autism can relate to most devastating diseases that grip a family. We experienced the same feelings with my husband's dementia. My granddaughter has been gripped by a mysterious illness that has thrown her family into a helplessness that Virginia describes here:
“One of the many cruelties of autism is that it turns legions of otherwise capable people into helpless observers. We have been given a ringside seat to a torturous display of human suffering.” p 212
“There have been many dark moments in our journey, moments I’ve chosen not to make the focus of this book. Moments when the desperation is so great, it threatens to swallow me whole. Dark nights when fear and helplessness are my only companions. Days when hope feels dead and joy some distant memory.” p. 212
Ah, yes! That’s how it is.
I highly recommend I Am in Here
for insight into those who live with autism. As far as its presentation of Christianity, I think it falls short. Just keep that in mind and you will gain much from this book.I received a copy of I Am in Here
from Revell/Baker Publishing.
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