Review #11 on Amazon.com From Long-time Friend

Two differently abled boys grew up together,...one with scoliosis and one with Down syndrome. Jeff's friend wrote about "Journey With Jeff" in the Amazon.com review: "This is an inspirational story about a family that I knew when I was growing up in New York state. Jeff was a friend of mine and was full of love and joy. He was one of the most happy people I have ever met even though he was born with severe challenges. This book chronicles my friend's life, his parents' struggles and joys, and the family's incredibly strong faith as they journeyed with Jeff through his special life. The book is written specifically for inspiration for caregivers of people with special needs, but the story is inspirational for all people. This is one of those books that you keep after you've finished reading and turn to it when life throws you a curve."~~~I was delighted to discover this eleventh review on the Amazon.com page! I invite everyone who has read "Journey With Jeff" to write a review to help others know this encouragement. Thank you!!

Busting Sterotypes

Su Rinas Leone remembers being a little girl when Jeff was 15, and some of the older boys calling
him, "Retard! Retard!" She continues, "Jeff seemed confused and shamed at the same time. His head ducked down and he looked at them laughing. He wanted to laugh, too! But he knew they weren't being nice. Those Big Jerks! I don't remember what I said, but I remember being MAD!" I believe Su saw him as being more like other children than different.~~~Laughter -- Good or Bad?~~~ Can it be good when we laugh about disabilities? I discovered the website: familyvillage.wisc.edu where Judy Bently from State University of NY talks about jokes that make us laugh, then rethink our own assumptions and sterotypes about unexamined issues. There are cartoons called "dizABLED" with the hero, LEEDER O. MEN whose real-life twin, Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham, is featured in videos. He has spinabifida, but that doesn't slow him down. Aaron has made his wheelchair into a fun toy, combining half-pipe Bmx and skateboarding into "Hardcore Sitting." The dizABLED cartoons reflect some of the things Aaron CAN do with his wheelchair. AMAZING!! Check it out!!