People with disabilities have so much to teach the rest of us, it brings tears to my eyes. There is only praise for this story, written in unapologetic autobiographical form. This book is as heartfelt and heart-warming as it is astounding, though, at the uncaring, unfeeling and horrific ways disabled people have been treated in the past, in institutions where they had been placed as being "better off," by societies' standards, in years gone by. Years such as in the 1960's and 1970's.
Thank God, the young and cocky Howard C. Shane came on board! Ha, ha! He did not know what he was getting into but he certainly swallowed a time or two, then landed solidly on his two feet, and became an effective teacher to his "core group" of "teachers"; an advocate for their rights in particular and the rights of people with disabilities, in general; and a champion innovator on their behalf.
From Ron, Ruth, Teddy, Dennis, Wendy, Barbara, Ed and others, of the Belchertown State School 'gang' of residents, Shane went from strength to strength to give them, and almost countless others, who had been silent, a means of communicating and becoming unsilenced. His Expressor, which he and a couple others developed, was a marvel of ingenuity, instrumental in so doing.
Nowadays, there is still much "prejudice, bias, ignorance and fear" regarding disabilities people have, Mr. Shane states, but his hope is that they will continue to be eradicated. He hopes caregivers, professionals, the general public and self-advocates will continue to champion and innovate with depth of compassion, empathy and sincere care.
To finish up the book, there is an epilogue and some Discussion Questions to help focus one's thoughts on the various issues spoken about throughout the memoir.
May freedom freely ring out for individuals with disabilities, to full potential. Afterall, their ability counts. This is likely the most valuable and important lesson to learn from this account. Now to apply it in life as did Shane, whose humble beginnings as a teacher in a basement classroom continued to progress with all his wonderful helps over the years for the good and benefit of those who needed a boost to help themselves. Well done! This book gets my full vote of five stars!
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
September 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy given by the publisher.
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