There are many words to describe this book, eg. brilliant, heart-wrenching, elemental…
Written by Peg Kerswell.

There are many words to describe this book, eg. brilliant, heart-wrenching, elemental…
The fact is, having read it from page one to the end, I think you will be left with admiration for the clarity and frankness expressed by the author. For those who have lived through this, they will know they are not alone.

Kerswell Regional Medical Center. The name given by Peg Kerswell to her home after she realizes something is wrong. “Something’s not right with the baby. I’ve spent days scouring my baby books, clicking through page after page on the Internet looking  for an answer. I study the faces of everyone who comes to see her for the first time. I watch them examine her, waiting for them to recoil in disgust and declare, “There’s something terribly wrong here.” But that never happens. They kneel before her in her little carrier, have their look, smile and say, “What a beautiful baby.” 

There are many parents who can remember that day. And it is only because parents like this author, Peg Kerswell, and her supportive, always present husband Jim, have taken the time to record the experience of severe autism that we can begin to appreciate the need for innovative research on treatment.  

Girl Storm, is not only an account of what happens on a daily basis, but moreso, Kerswell describes and examines her own feelings, behaviours and the effect on her progress. What she calls “A memoir of chaos, humor, and resilience in the path of profound autism”. Kerswell moves from a spirit of positive inquiry to cold rage. “Well then, I say, my jaw tightening, my voice trembling with anger, “who’s going to help us keep our daughter from killing herself by smashing her head against the wall?” to extreme desolation and despair, “That’s when the Giant Warm Hand grips my heart too hard, and the ache radiates out through the rest of me until I’m one great, throbbing wound”. 

Thankfully the wound moves to a spirit of healing. The writer dedicates the book to; “For those who have lived it, and those coming up”. It is a must read. Not only for those of us who need to understand more about this phenomenon easily termed “special needs”, but for those extraordinary caregivers of these children who grow to be adults.

I received a copy from this Reedsy author.