Jonathan Mooney

Mooney writes to encourage people who have been trapped in the 'special ed' label to find what they are passionate about and follow that to let their true selves emerge. This may entail they--or their parents--demand the accommodations they need to succeed.
He includes a lot of history on the creation of 'normal', and shows that it really isn't a real conditon. He argues that our society is increasingly trying to narrow the range of diversity which will only end up causing us to lose the show more creativity and inventiveness that comes with differences. Luckily he mixes a lot of his own experiences, which makes the facts easier to move through. He also tells us of the despair felt by kids who keep trying to act normal, but can't live being a square peg in a round hole. You don't expect a middle schooler to feel the kind of hopelessness that leads to suicide, but it is real.
My published copy came with at least 3 dyslexic substitutions that his spellcheck didn't catch: "Interrupted" instead of "interpreted", "even" instead of "ever", and a repeated word. I still came away with the impression that this is a very intelligent person, which just goes to show that the educational labels don't mean that much.
Actually, the only value in the labels is if they get you the help you need, identify what kinds of approaches will help you learn best. Even tho a lot of his examples relate to his own expeiences of ADD and dyslexia, he includes an example that is closer to how I believe my son is: William, labelled mentally retarded, rarely speaks and barely maintains self-care, spent his class time watching the birds out the window and ignoring requests to get settled in his desk. Yet when he gives his classmates hugs, they break into smiles. Mooney describes him as having the emotional IQ of Gandhi, the spiritual intelligence of Jesus (p. 152). And these are qualities we need in this world. show less

Johnathan Mooney has done an excellent job of trying to find ways to define "normal." Although, he does not find a definite answer, he leaves his reader with questions about: What IS normal? I don't think many of us have really thought about it. Especially in regards to labeling someone with a disability.

I have to say Mooney gives a wonderful brief history of learning disabilities and relates it to his experiences and the children and adults that he meets on his journey. A must read for show more parents, educators and even students who are struggling with their identity. He explores the emotional trials of people with: ADD, ADHD, cognitive disabilities, deaf-blind, dyslexia and non-specified learning disabilities.

He shares his experiences in the educational system, the parent's point of view and frustrations while advocating for their children, and the student's point of view. He wonderfully explores ALL aspects of how a disability affects not just the individual, but the family as well.

Mooney also brings up a good point, "Am I broken or is the system broken?" A very crucial question relating to special education for years. Perhaps with Mooney's book as a resource, educators can help correct previous mistakes that have scared students (or "emotional terrorist teachers"). I definitely had many "walk always" with Mooney's book, and I will be taking my lessons with me into the classroom! show less

I read this book because I'd read somewhere that he'd interviewed someone from my home town. (Probably in her obituary - she died last year). Mooney spends a lot of time musing on his own history of trying to fit in as normal - a problem that is so universal, that it is on the boring side. He goes on a road trip in a short bus to find people freakier than himself to either get more in touch with his freaky self, or to just feel better. His story is rambling with some interesting parts. I did show more enjoy reading about his time with Cookie/Dominique. I was glad to hear that some of the locals were looking out for her. Though I was annoyed that he hadn't taken time to understand the local geography (one glaring error about placement of towns) and I often found myself gritting my teeth to get through to the interesting parts about the people he interviewed. show less

I am really enjoying this book. Mooney travels across the country in a "short bus" interviewing "special ed" kids and their parents. His confessional tale of coming out as a disability rights advocate after a lifetime of running and hiding from a disabled identity feels quite genuine rendered in his anxious, honest voice.