Raising Blaze: A Mother and Son's Long, Strange Journey into Autism
3.5/5
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About this ebook
When you have a child that doesn't fit in, what do you do? Debra Ginsberg knew that her son, Blaze, was unique from the moment he was born in 1987. What she didn't know was that Blaze's differences would be regarded by the outside world not as gifts, but as impediments to social and academic success. Blaze never crawled. He just got up and walked when he turned one. He called his mother 'Zsa Zsa' until he was three. By kindergarten, he loved the music of Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. He fears butterflies and is fascinated by garbage trucks. With the same honesty that made Waiting a success, Raising Blaze: Bringing Up an Extraordinary Son in an Ordinary World chronicles Debra's experience in raising a child who has defied definition by the host of professionals who have sought to label his differences. Ginsberg introduces us to a remarkable child and her own unusual childhood. She writes about a family which shows us the redemptive power of faith, humour and love.
Debra Ginsberg
Debra Ginsberg is the author of Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress and Raising Blaze: Bringing Up an Extraordinary Son in an Ordinary World. A graduate of Reed College, she is a contributor to NPR's All Things Considered and the San Diego Union-Tribune "Books" section.
Read more from Debra Ginsberg
Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Raising Blaze: A Mother and Son's Long, Strange Journey into Autism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5About My Sisters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
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Reviews for Raising Blaze
38 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a warm, wonderful book. I read it soon after it was published and I still recall it easily. My own son- who I later discovered is on the spectrum - was very young but I could see similarities ( in their own unique ways). After my son was diagnosed, I thought of the book even more often, although I didn't remember any diagnosis. I've read all of Ginsberg's other books because of this one (and enjoyed them all, especially waitress). The writing is consistently sharp, funny, and vivid and the author's personality (at least as perceived by me through her prose) warm and sensitive. I not only love her work, I'm grateful she's writing. My own son is doing well and I hope Blaze is too-maybe she'll write a sequel?
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5While written solely as a memoir, Raising Blaze makes no attempt to resolve any issues, or really instruct the reader regarding any specific diagnosis or treatment. Blaze Ginsberg seems to be a child who could never be properly tested nor definitively labeled, much to the chagrin of educators and to the frustration of his family. Obviously having sensory issues, immature social behavior, and a unique sense of communication and viewing the world, Blaze never seemed to fit in to mainstream schooling. Raising Blaze in no way pretends to be a resource book. It is, instead, courageous, humane and impressive in its sadness and humor. Ginsberg writes transparently, as well as matter of factly, of her prolific parenting mistakes, foibles and vulgarities. She also records with honesty and tenderness her love and devotion to her son.No one was a greater advocate for Blaze than she. For anyone who has a special needs child, this book can act as an inspiration to educate oneself, to fight for the rights of your child, and to seek creative, imaginative resolutions.