How to Find Stories About Children's Medical Issues

Autism, down syndrome, childhood cancer. Whether or not you are experiencing a medical issue with your own young child, you may wish to learn more about what other parents are going through, moms in particular. If medical reference books seem too cold and formal, a memoir or story can present the human side of a medical condition that seems tough to approach. Here are a few moving selections to start with, books you might not put down.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Read EXPECTING ADAM by Martha Beck for a mother's experience of having a son with Down Syndrome. This is a thoroughly contemporary, reaffirming and positive read.

2. Read HANNAH'S GIFT by Maria Housden, an inspiring and compelling account of mothering a young daughter with cancer. This was a bestseller when first published a few years ago, and it offers a riveting narrative. It also faithfully documents the stress on a marriage that a child's illness can bring.

3. Find DANIEL ISN'T TALKING by Marti Leimbach. A fictionalized memoir, this story is a page-turner. It accurately portrays a mom's hopelessness and hopefulness in detailing her life with a young, autistic son before and after the diagnosis. At the same time, the reader gets a picture of a fairly isolated American mother's life in London, and the emotional burdens on a marriage.

Tips & Warnings

• Many other memoirs and stories exist out there that may speak to your needs. If your library offers an online service, choose "Keyword" in your search and type in the medical condition. Memoirs and novels should show up on the search results as well as the standard medical books.