In recent years, a new genre in disability related
literature has emerged. While not
scholarly in nature, lessons can yet be extracted. This new narrative emerges from the
perspective of the parent of a child with disability - most often the mother. One such story is Lessons from Katherine, written in an easy conversational style by
Glenda W. Prins, an ordained United Church of Christ minister.
Lessons from Katherine
is not a recounted biography of the adopted daughter Katherine, but an up close
and vulnerable 157 page diary of the author’s spiritual struggles through life
in a context tempered by disability. In
fact the story is not focused on the multiple disabilities of Katherine, but on
the inability of the author to cope with lost dreams.
Inability defines this work – inability to achieve
ordination as a female, to conceive a child, to navigate the complex
bio-medical world successfully, to keep a business afloat, to sustain a marital
relationship, and to communicate openly with God. Yet despite these disabling conditions, the
author eventually finds resolution within the tension: ordination is achieved,
businesses become restored, relationships are reconciled and new life
emerges. The human journey is messy yet
redeemable.
Lessons from Katherine
unveils a seldom lifted curtain on the emotional stress families affected by
disability undergo. It reveals the
mindset behind a parent doing whatever it takes for their child. Do not look for pithy comforting statements
in this book – it is full of anguish and emotion. Nor is this a guidebook – lessons learned are
not articulated to be replicated.
Perhaps the major insight gleaned is reflected in the epilogue –
experience with disability does not make one a better person, but a different
one.
As a parent of a child with a
disability, I can relate all too well to these genuine scenarios. As a disability advocate, I see how much further society must go. As I read and compare the blogs of young moms today, however, I am
struck by the difference in tone and hope.
This book is an important historical reminder of the accomplishments
made through the pain of the previous generation.
For professionals in the special education or human
disability service sector who desire to understand real family dynamics, this
book provides a partial glimpse. Yet this
is not just for professionals or those impacted by disability. It is a journal of how a person develops a
faithful spiritually, tears and all, during times of continual crisis. Spiritual
journeys are often personal. This memoir
will comfort some and create questions in others – but can be worth the time to
read.
