***Book Recommendation***: A Friend Like Henry
I just wanted to tell everyone about a book that I have just finished reading.
It is called A Friend Like Henry, by Nuala Gardener.
It is the true story of how a dog transformed the lives of her children, who have autism.
I can guarantee that, by the end of the book, you will be in tears. It is extremely moving and gives a fascinating albeit shocking insight into autism and how difficult it can be.
Review~
It starts off with Nuala getting married to Jamie. She is a midwife. Working at the hospital one day, she assists a mother whose baby miscarried...little does she know that she will go through the same pain.
She and Jamie have a child, Dale. They are slightly worried about Dale's lack of "imaginative play", and slow development. He has tantrums and is extremely difficult to cope with, and they face a battle to get his severe classical autism diagnosed. Once diagnosed, however, it is no easier. It takes hours of support to help do anything, and everything must be done a step at a time.
This all changes though, when the family go on holiday. Dale seems completely changed by the presence of...a dog, and happily plays with it all afternoon, as opposed to watch Thomas the Tank Engine videos, as would normally be the case.
The Gardeners take the decision to get a dog. After the TtTE Train, it is named Henry, a beautiful golden retriever. From then on, things come on in leaps and bounds. But there are still many obstacles in the way.
Nuala and Jamie do not want Dale to be an only child. After much effort, Nuala finally births a girl-Amy. To her dismay, however, after a promising start, Amy is lost to autism. The battle recommences, to save her from its grasps.
But Henry is nearing the end of his life...how will Dale ever manage to let go?
This heart-wrenching story donates some if the royalties to Autism charities, and reading it is one of the best decisions I ever made. Please, buy it. You will not regret it.
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Originally Posted by pinkster73
