The Review
One book that has been on my nightstand for quite a while is Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music that Transformed Their Lives by Cathleen Lewis. I had seen Rex on a 60 Minutes profile just days before I was contacted by Thomas Nelson about receiving a review copy, so I was very interested in learning more about his story.
Throughout the book, Ms. Lewis shares her thoughts and feelings as she navigates the world of doctors and specialists, special education teachers and therapists, and they parallel what many parents of special needs children have dealt with in our own journeys. Some people get it and others don’t, even those who are supposed to, unfortunately.
The thing that struck me as I read was that, although Rex’s physical problems started before birth with a cyst in his brain and continued once he was born with blindness caused by optic nerve hypoplasia, his difficulties in social communication are what pose the biggest challenge in his life.
The turning point for Rex is when he is given a keyboard and his phenomenal musical ability is discovered. As his mother puts it,
Music was Rex’s heart, his soul, the special gift God had given him to communicate like no other. It was his language–his grace. I would keep fighting the external battles of our lives, trying to push back the clouds of our existence, but his was an internal battle, and the look on his face said his spirit was winning.
And Now, the Giveaway
I would love to pass on this inspiring book to encourage someone else, so I am going to give it away here on my blog. I will also be giving away my copy of A Friend Like Henry, which I reviewed back in September, to a second winner. Here’s how it’s going to work:
- To be entered in the random drawing, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and share one of your favorite inspirational books (it does not have to be about someone with a disability.)
- You can earn another entry by tweeting about this giveaway; just leave another comment with your twitter username once you have done so.
- Entries will be accepted until 10:00 pm Eastern Time on Sunday, April 5th, and the winner will be announced on Monday, April 6th. US mailing addresses only.
For more What’s On Your Nightstand, visit 5 Minutes for Books.
{ 17 comments }
This book isn’t about a person with a disability, it’s a child’s book but it gives me inspiration and tells me it’s ok to sit and rock my son as the mom in the book does it for her son until the end when he sits and rocks his mom in her old age. “Love You Forever”
Twittered your giveaway. (nanettegomez)
I’ve heard many good things about this book. I’d love to win, but if not, really need to get a copy for my dh and I to read.
Edited to add: Amy’s favorite inspirational book is Louder than Words by Jenny McCarthy.
Hi! I just wanted to hop over and say thanks for commenting on my Nightstand post. I’m a Thomas Nelson reviewer, also, but I didn’t get this book.
As far as inspirational books go, it would hard for me to pick a favorite. I’ve been challenged and inspired by Gary Thomas’ books, and I’ve reviewed a few on my blog.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word´s last blog post..Friday’s Vintage Find::Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
WOw, sounds so interesting and awesome. My favorite inspirational book was the Biography of Corrie TenBoon. I loved how her family sacrificed everything to stand for the rights of others even at the cost of their own lives. There sounds like a lot of great books being read around here. I love keeping my eyes peeled for good books for the boys to read too.
Livin’´s last blog post..For The Husbands Out There
No need to enter me in the contest (I have the book) but it was great to hear your thoughts on it! Thanks for sharing!
Carrie´s last blog post..Instructing a Child’s Heart
I’ve read many, many book on autism & other special needs. My favorite, and most inspiring has to be “The boy who loved windows” by Patricia Stacey. It is a from- birth story about an autistic boy named Walker. Despite huge odds his family stuggles to connect with him and are rewarded in the end. Anyone who cares about children will love this book. It is very fascinating and beautifully written five star book.
Doris´s last blog post..Pictures from New Mexico – Thanks Audra!
This sounds like an interesting book, I’ve seen a few good reviews of it now.
I am reading another Thomas Nelson book right now, The Hole in Our Gospel by Rich Stearns, the President of World Vision and it is wonderfully inspiring.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Hi! Thanks for visiting my WOYN and letting me know about your giveaway! I almost chose this book from Thomas Nelson but picked Rachel’s Tears instead – so thought that would be a good book to list as my inspirational one! Thanks for passing yours along. Hope I win!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
Kristi´s last blog post..Where Are You? 3-31-2009
I would love to win and read this book
The best inspirational book I have ever read was the Bible
THank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I have been most recently inspired by “Always Looking Up” by Michael J Fox regarding his parkinson’s disease and his life.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I know I’m a complete sap, but I love the Chicken Soup… books. The one about Special Needs had me crying and cheering and hoping. Of course, I’ve read dozens of autism specific books, Temple Grandin’s are so wonderfully full of information and her mother’s book was an awesome look into the families perspective.
Novel over, add me to your list!! I have A Friend Like Henry on hold at my library, but haven’t read it yet!
Meg´s last blog post..Confetti!
Oh, oh, oh … I would love to win “Rex” as I just had to take this back to the library TODAY. It’s on hold for someone else – hence, no renewals for me. “A Friend Like Henry” would be a nice read too.
My favorite inspirational book is “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch.
Betty and Boo’s Mommy´s last blog post..Freaky Friday Weather for My Fortieth
just tweeted about your giveaway – bettyandboo
Betty and Boo’s Mommy´s last blog post..Freaky Friday Weather for My Fortieth
Helen Keller’s biography is my favorite.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please count me in. I just read The Shack. For me, it was very inspirational.
I have both books mentioned and have not read either yet. Did you ever see the BBC show a few years ago, it was before the Henry book came out? The link I had to it is not there anymore, but we taped it and watched it several times.
I am going to search for your review, you mentioned doing it in September, but I am not sure where that would be, can you send it to me, when time permits?
Bonnie Sayers´s last blog post..Springtime for an Autism Family
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