First of all, I loved the way the book is structured. Using the chakras as a framework for the narrative they were telling was a brilliant way to help tell the story. I learned a little about chakras too, which was something I found exceptional. I loved the emails between Brooke and Beverly where they were discussing stories and points that they wanted to make part of the narrative. It gave us Brooke’s voice in a different way than an edited book did. I loved when she would push back about something her mother wanted her to do as part of the writing process.
Another thing that Brooke added to the process of putting this together was a way of getting the viewpoints of important people in her life about how they viewed her as a disabled person in their lives. Her questions were courageous, and the love the people who responded showed towards Brooke was obvious.
I want to learn more about Brooke and Beverly. I looked for a website and couldn’t find one.
After reading three of the memoirs written by families/individuals touched by spina bifida, I don’t feel so alone anymore.
That’s the beauty of finding a way, whether it’s through writing, oral history, art, music. or some other art form to tell your story for others. It helps both them and you to know that there are others like you in the world and usually you have more in common with those people than you realize.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094QQ9R4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Finding Our Voices Together 