This Little Light of Mine: Memories from the Mom of a Child with Down Syndrome (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798218554248)

This Little Light of Mine is a collection of vignettes that are sometimes humorous and sometimes a serious historical record of life with a mentally challenged daughter who becomes an adult and lives to 60 years.

My daughter, Sue Ann, was born in 1956 when people with Down syndrome were an embarrassment and hidden from society. As a young nursing school graduate and a 1950's woman who was starting a family, I was suddenly faced with the emotional decision to disregard the pediatrician's push to leave my disabled newborn in a "home." I did not. Over the course of the decades of Sue Ann's life, society's treatment of those with disabilities softened, and strides were taken to better integrate these individuals in day-to-day life, giving them visibility. As society evolved, so did the opportunities available to Sue Ann. They shaped her life.

The memoir contains opinions, suggestions, and anecdotes that shed light on handling a myriad of complications - social, ethical, medical and psychological - that can arise when raising a child with Down syndrome.

As well, this story is a tribute to a person who, rather than being shunned due to her disability, was accepted by her family and lived a full life, contributing in unique ways that only those who were close could appreciate. Sue Ann was full of surprises. She often knew more than she could express. Her choices in life were sometimes influenced by a bit of devilish independence that never foresaw a poor outcome. Sue Ann possessed a charming personality and rare, ready openness to any person, friend or stranger. She influenced her family with her simple approach to life that avoided conflict and freely gave unconditional love to all those around her. She died from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Sue Ann's light was a divine one and its bright, warm rays were cast over all those she encountered.

Author: Marlene E. Turnbull
ISBN-13: 9798218554248
Publisher: Marlene E. Turnbull
Language: English
Published: 07/14/2025
Pages: 174
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.53lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.37d