Behind the Mic Book Review: Going Places. Children Living with Cerebral Palsy.

As people, it's in our nature to lead an active, full vibrant life, with lots of laughter love and adventure thrown in for good measure!  Do you notice, too, that when we live life we get the greatest joy by sharing it with others?  People with cerebral palsy are no different. In fact, the very qualities that motivate us as people, are just as strong in those with the extra challenge of cerebral palsy.  We may have obstacles, but that doesn't put a damper on our desire to participate in life for one minute!  Thomas Bergman, author of the 1991 children's book, Going Places-Children Living with Cerebral Palsy, shows that kids with this physical challenge aren't defined by it, but it gives them motivation to live life the best they can!
The book follows six-year old, Mathias.  He has a mom, dad, a younger sister Emma and a cat!  Does that sound like your family? :)  Mathias was diagnosed with being deaf and having cerebral palsy when he was two years old.  His mom and dad were sad for a bit, but Mathias' happiness made life a little easier!  Attitude is the foundation for how you will be able to cope with things and make adjustments.
Through the words and pictures that make up this book, Mathias never loses his bright smile or that undeniable sparkle in his eye!  He goes to school, plays with his sister, loves rock music, goes to the doctor and has physical, occupational and speech therapy.  He types on a computer so that he can communicate with those who might not know sign language like his family does.
All of the adaptations that Mathias uses to help him either to physically function or otherwise, doesn't mean he's not smart or funny.  Those who may not have the ability to speak because of how cerebral palsy affects them have many valuable things to share and with the aid of communication devices, can give voice to those valuable things and connect with those around them in a meaningful way!
This book is a wonderful resource for children, parents and teachers.  It has a wonderful glossary of supplementary information, encouraging kids to ask questions about cerebral palsy because asking questions and taking in information is a great thing!
Thomas Bergman shows in this short book, that no matter what it takes to get around, those with disabilities, in particular cerebral palsy, are going many places, indeed!

Behind the Mic Book Review: Where the Light Gets In- Kimberly Williams-Paisley

The brain isn't called a ''super computer'' by accident, it really IS a super computer!  In it, we store memories that shape us as people, make us happy, make us laugh, smile and sometimes shed tears. We can reflect on these memories and they can give us confidence and strength, facing life with the most positive attitude when life gets rough.  What, though, if your ''super computer'' got a virus that completely erased all of your memories and changed you, in the worst way, so your not even close to the person you once were?  What if the person who is dealing with this condition is your mom?  The closest person to your heart whom you've relied on much of your life for advice and support... for everything!! In this heartbreakingly candid, yet positive memoir, Kimberly Williams-Paisley shows you a very personal battle that she and her family are fighting.  Her mom, Linda, being diagnosed with PPA.  "Primary Progressive Aphasia is a progressive loss of language function.  Language is a uniquely human faculty that allows us to communicate with each other through the use of words. Our language functions include speaking and understanding what others are"  Kimberly describes how her mom went from being the pillar of support, her ''private applause section", to someone who was easily frustrated, emotional, and finally left with no ability to communicate.  It became increasingly apparent that life was not going to be as easily lived like it once was.  Once the initial sadness and hopelessness left, the family banded together, supported one another, and have made the best out of life, for as long as they can!  Through the struggles and the pain, Kimberly and her family have accomplished the task of looking for the smallest silver lining.  Looking for where the light gets in, because Linda is not her diagnosis of PPA.  She is a person, and most importantly....she's MOM!

Get the book here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-the-light-gets-in-kimberly-williams-paisley/1122312815?ean=9781101902950

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana

Behind the Mic Book Review: Life is Short (no pun intended) Bill Kleinand Jen Arnold

Since I started watching the Little Couple in 2009, I've never missed an episode and whenever I have to wait for a new season to start, it seems like an eternity!!  I find myself missing Bill, Jen, Will and Zoey.  So, when I saw that they had a book coming out, I knew I had to read it.  This book made me cry, so hard at times, because of this family's determination to allow nothing to deter them from enjoying life, love and parenthood!  Life is very challenging and rocky at times, but it's your reaction to those challenges that determines how successful you are in overcoming them.  Bill and Jen have had their share of challenges, that's for sure.  They've had to deal with the physical challenges of their dwarfism, which included countless surgeries and recoveries, but also the challenges that come with life in an average sized world.  This book takes you through their lives, from both Bill and Jen's perspectives, including all the ups and downs.  From the highest of highs which included Jen getting her dream job of becoming a doctor in pediatric and neonatal medicine, finding the love of her life when she least expected it and having the chance to adopt two of the cutest, funniest kids from two different countries.  One of her lowest points was a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis during the time they were going through the adoption process.  Bill had felt like he wanted to end it all before he met Jen.  The overall theme of this book is there will be challenges that try to knock you down, but you can overcome them if you drown out the noise of negative thinking, feeling sorry for yourself or people telling you that you won't ever be able to accomplish what you want.  Bill and Jen have risen up to the challenge, and look how their life has turned out!!  They were both told growing up that they could do whatever they wanted in accomplishing their own individual dreams, and now together...well, the attitude of "Nothing is Impossible"  has double the power!  This book is one of the best books I've read.  You laugh, cry, cheer and smile all at the same time.  Bill and Jen's short stature hasn't stopped them from accomplishing incredibly BIG, above average dreams!!! 

Bill, Jen, Will and Zoey...Thank you for sharing your story and your lives with all your fans!  All of you are a shining example of what it means to take life by the horns and run with it!! :) :)

Hurry! Get the book here!  http://www.amazon.com/Life-Short-No-Pun-Intended/dp/1476794774/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454977934&sr=1-1&keywords=life+is+short

Michelle Fischer is the host of A View from My Window a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana