Jennifer Graf Groneberg

The subtitle is perhaps a bit misleading. While this book certainly gives you plenty of information on Down syndrome, it's really all about family. This book should be filed under family and under memoirs too. Jennifer Groneberg is an extremely talented writer, who is so obviously in love with her family that you almost wish you were a relative. The book is brutally honest however. She does not shrink from telling you about the doubts and fears she experienced upon learning of her son's condition, but what shines through the strongest is the love. The Gronebergs are people I'd like to know, to have as friends or neighbors. I recommend this book highly. You don't have to have a Down syndrome kid to appreciate it. You just have to like good writing and a well-told story.… (more)

The thing I liked the best about this book is the essay from which the title is taken..."Welcome to Holland" by Emily Perl Kingsley who likens the experience of having a child with Down's Syndrome to taking an unexpected trip. She describes the dreams of having a child as planning a trip to Italy, and suddenly finding that you are in Holland. An excellent analogy. The author has one child, and eventually decides to have another. She has twins, and one had Down's Syndrome. She describes the sorrow this news brings very well. She also paints a vivid picture of life with this unexpected child and how it differed from her other child raising experiences. The reason I didn't rank it higher is really a personal judgement of her mothering. This very intelligent, well-educated woman made absolutely NO effort to find out what resources might be available to her, and what steps she could take to assure he would make the maximum strides in development. I would have burned up the internet and pestered every group available. She knew nothing about the value of early stimulation, and preferred to isolate herself and be a martyr, basically. My alarm at her attitude and actions colored my view of the whole book, I'm afraid. I'm just glad someone finally got through to her.… (more)