Janice Credit Houska

For the Love of Matthew: Growing Up with Down Syndrome Janice Credit Houska

Matthew's story begins the day he is born. Happiness abounds until the next day when a doctor tells the parents he suspects their baby boy has Down syndrome. What follows is an anguish only a parent who has been through this would understand. Grief, guild and anger is followed by a determination to make things right. Matthew's mother's determination and belief that her son could learn anything (despite being told there was little hope for Matthew's future) proved the experts wrong. Her methods are outlined in the story which included mountains of word cards and a constant flow of stimulation. He was reading a few words at age 3 and by age ten, he was learning to play the piano. Matthews's story tells of the hills and valleys one encounters in daily life in school and the community. You will share with Matthew the anguish at the death of a cherished grandmother and the devastation that comes having a grandfather with Alzheimer' as well as other tragedies dot his young life The story tells of his experiences in pre-school to high school which is a mixture of highs and lows. His talent in music is realized and by the time he is seventeen he is playing the piano, guitar, harmonica and xylophone. Heartwarming, sad, funny and a must for parents who are facing similar challenges. "Growth itself contains the germ of happiness." Pearl Buck