Second Story Press
ISBN: 978-1926920337
Published Oct 15, 2011
Paperback, 126 pages
This was one of the most inspirational
middle-grade stories of a young Canadian girl that I've read. Emily
Eaton was born with cerebral palsy. She couldn't communicate except
with a few signs and she couldn't control her movements. Although in a wheelchair, her family involved her in everything they did, and she
felt loved and supported and part of her community. Emily went to a
regular school until the school's committee for students with special
needs decided that it would be best for Emily to be in a special
school for disabled students.
Emily and her parents decided to
challenge the decision by taking their case to the Advocacy
Resource Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH). In time it went all the
way to the Supreme Court and became history-making because the
decision affected all who are disabled. Emily's parents pursued it
because they said “it was about the principles of equality and
justice for all people with disabilities”.
Emily Included is told from the
point of view of Emily in the third person. We get to see her world
as a child with a bright mind but a body that she could not control.
Several times I teared up as I was reading her story. The way her
brothers included her in their games or the way the children in
school knew what she was trying to say to them because they were her
friend and got to know her way of communicating is a testament that,
when children are exposed to other children with disabilities, they
are comfortable with children who are different. They will not be
afraid of someone in a wheelchair who speaks and acts strangely. I
saw this firsthand when I worked in a school that included children
with disabilities.
This book stressed the importance of
parents being their child's advocate. I have so much respect for the
Eaton family who fought for the rights of their beloved Emily. I
think every Canadian school should have this book in their library
and it would be a good idea to include it as a part of social
studies. Highly recommended.
Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: TBR Pile Reading Challenge
Reviewed by Laura
Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
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