Book Review & Giveaway (closed) -- "Uncommon Beauty: Crisis Parenting from Day One"

Today we have a special book review, by Taryn Skees of More Skees Please and it comes with a chance to win in our Mother's Day Book Giveaway! Thanks everyone, the giveaway is closed! Stay tuned for another giveaway soon.

How to enter:

1. "Like" the CCA Kids Blog Facebook page (if you haven't already).*
2. Comment on this post telling us you "Like" us. Make sure you do NOT comment Anonymously! 
3. Stay tuned. One winner will be selected on May 31, 2013.

Uncommon Beauty

When Aiden was born in 2008 with Apert syndrome, it came as a surprise to us. We had no indication that anything was wrong during my pregnancy - the differences with his hands and feet were never detected, and his head growth was within normal range. As you can imagine, the diagnosis hit us like a ton of bricks. During his two week stay in the NICU we went through a roller coaster of emotions as we tried to understand and accept the life we had in front of us. 

Once Aiden was ready to come home with us, we were given a list of doctor's appointments and follow-up visits that had been made on our behalf. We showed up for each one scared and confused. We weren't sure we were asking the right questions, didn't know if what we were hearing from each specialist was our only option and began to doubt ourselves as parents. It became overwhelming very quickly.

I remember going to the book store and scouring the shelves for something - anything - that might be able to guide us in this journey with a child with special medical needs. I knew there was probably nothing related to Apert syndrome because it was so rare, but anything that could lay out a road map to help us navigate the world of doctors visits, insurance issues and support options would have been incredibly helpful. While I did find a wonderful memoir about a mother and her son with Apert syndrome (Babyface: A Story of Heart and Bones) it quickly became apparent that the book I was looking for did not exist.

For the next several months I took careful notes at every appointment. I created a notebook - and eventually a binder - full of questions and answers related to Aiden's care. I decided that if a book didn't exist then I would write one to fill the void, as I was certain I must not have been the only one seeking the same.

Unfortunately, the time that all of Aiden's medical care required during those first 2-3 years kept pushing my book writing lower on my priority list. So you can imagine how extremely pleased I was when this past year, a new resource was published that fulfilled exactly what I wish I had as a new parent of a special needs child. 

I came across an article introducing Margaret Meder's new book Uncommon Beauty: Crisis Parenting from Day One and immediately contacted her to find out how I could get a copy. Even though I was 4 years into our journey, I just had to read it - I knew it would still offer value to me in some way - and it most certainly did.

While it just so happens that the author's son also has Apert syndrome, the book applies across the board. Uncommon Beauty is a well-organized account of the major aspects involved with caring for a child with special medical needs. Ms. Meder beautifully weaves personal experiences throughout however it reads less like a memoir and more like a guidebook with tips and suggestions for every junction along her journey. 

Reading Uncommon Beauty brought tears to my eyes. Not only because I felt as if I was realizing my dreams in the pages of this wonderful book, but because I pictured the next scared parent scouring the shelves at the book store, searching for that one resource that might help make things a little easier. I just know this is going to be an amazing gift for any family who is unexpectedly thrust into a very scary world. 

From one special needs parent to another, I want to personally thank Ms. Meder for writing Uncommon Beauty...and for allowing me to cross off one of the items on my always growing "to-do" list. :)

If you would like to win a signed copy of Uncommon Beauty: Crisis Parenting from Day One leave a comment here on the blog and be sure to "like" CCAKids Blog on Facebook! One winner will be chosen on May 31, 3103.

_____________________.

-Taryn

*If you don't have a Facebook account, you can simply comment on this blog post.

#ChooseKind Giveaway!

All month long we've been reading, talking and tweeting about Wonder by R.J. Palacio. This book has been an amazing tool for schools to discuss differences and insecurities, anti-bullying platforms, kindness, and, most importantly, acceptance of people who have a facial difference.

We love all the new @CCAKidsTweet followers who are enabling us to "widen the circle of acceptance".  It's been so touching to see classrooms make a real-life connection to the book by starting the #CCAStandingOvation movement.  Teachers are taking the lesson of Wonder, connecting with "real-life Auggies", and showing their students how small acts of kindness can make a huge impact in society.  These simple and positive gestures change lives!

To keep the spirit of kindness alive, CCA is doing its first Twitter giveaway! You could win a limited edition #ChooseKind stow-n-go grocery tote. We'll randomly select 15 winners on Halloween, so get your tweeting fingers ready!  

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow @CCAKidsTweet on Twitter then send us a tweet saying "Just entered to win a #ChooseKind Tote! #CCAGiveaway #Wonderschools #CCAStandingOvation"
2. Make sure you include the hashtag #CCAGiveaway in your tweet so that we can track participants.
3. The contest will close at 12pm CST on October 31, 2012.  Winners will be randomly selected. 
4. Winners will receive a direct message on Twitter with further instructions on how to receive their tote.

Stay tuned... and #ChooseKind today!

Erica & Dede

Winner of the Creepy Comeback Contest!

Peter read through everyone’s submissions and selected his winner.  Congratulations to Kristin Shaw who won the $25 Amazon gift card!  Her response to “You look creepy” was…

“I look creepy?  Huh.

What I know is that I have a good heart, and I

wouldn’t dream of saying something so ugly to another person.”

Peter liked the part about having a good heart, which makes sense because he has the biggest and most compassionate heart I’ve ever known.  He said the second part of her response, however, made him feel uncomfortable.  “Why?”  I asked.  “Because,” he said, “I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”  WHAT?!

So a kid rudely remarks, "you look creepy," and you are worried about hurting HIS feelings?  “Well, yeah,” said Peter.  WOW!!!  My tender hearted son is most definitely a much better person than me!  Although admirable, my fear is that Peter’s thoughtfulness is also something of a detriment when dealing with these types of situations.  Here is my response to his concern…

“Sadly, some people have to be told that their behavior is rude.  Otherwise they may never know that what they said was hurtful.  These people continue behaving badly until a ‘difference maker’ like you comes along to set them straight.  While you must be assertive with your reply, you can also be polite when letting someone know that their behavior was rude.  In doing so, you will leave a positive and lasting impression.  And, maybe, just maybe, that person won’t say something so rude the next time they see someone who looks different.”

I want to thank everyone who submitted their “Creepy Comebacks”.  You can read the other submissions under the comments section of last week’s blog entitled “Spreading Acceptance.”  Thanks Kristin for your winning contribution!  We will contact you privately to make arrangements for the gift card.

It's Giveaway Time Again!

As I mentioned in a previous post, both See Kai Run and Tsukihoshi have provided the opportunity for one lucky CCA Kids Blog reader to take home a pair of their awesome shoes.

The See Kai Run winner was: Tammy Wilson.

And now it could be YOUR turn to win, courtesy of Tsukihoshi.

This line of tennis shoes is the cream of the crop. They come from a company who has really put a lot of thought into what our kids wear on their feet. They have an entire page on their website describing their shoes "Special Multi Functions". You really need to check it out! Not to mention that I found it nearly impossible to find a solid pair of tennis shoes for Aiden. That is, until I found these!

Trust me, even if you don't have a child with Apert Syndrome, you will love these shoes. And so will your kiddo!

Here's how to enter:


1. If you haven't already, head over to Facebook and "Like" the CCA Kids Blog page. The winner will be announced there so you don't want to miss out!

2. Also "Like" the Tsukihoshi Facebook page.

3. Leave a comment on the CCA Kids Blog telling which style you would choose if you won. (You can always change your mind later.)


Good luck!

** The giveaway will be open until Friday, August 5 at 11:59pm EST. A random winner will be chosen based on the number of comments received. The winner will be announced Saturday, August 6th on the CCA Kids Blog Facebook page. I will ask for your contact information at that time so that I may send instructions for placing your order.

Product GIVEAWAY: See Kai Run

The wonderful folks at See Kai Run have agreed to donate a pair of their awesome shoes to one lucky CCA Kids Blog reader.

These shoes are great for a variety of reasons. My little guy Aiden (now 3) has Apert Syndrome and this particular brand fits his foot quite well. It has a very flexible sole, opens up enough to fit his uniquely shaped foot and accommodates the wider toe-base without any problem. Not to mention that they are super cute!

They have shoes that fit infants (the "Smaller" line), toddlers (the "See Kai Run" line) and coming this fall they will have shoes for older kids (the "Kai" line).

Interested in scoring a free pair? Here's how:

1. Head over to Facebook and "Like" the CCA Kids Blog. The winner will be announced there so you don't want to miss out!

2. Visit the See Kai Run website or Facebook page.

3. Leave a comment on the CCA Kids Blog telling which style you would choose if you won. (You can always change your mind later.) 

It's that simple!

We are so excited to be able to give away a pair of these shoes! Good luck!

** The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, July 26th at 11:59pm EST. A random winner will be chosen based on the number of comments received. The winner will be announced Wednesday, July 27th on the CCA Kids Blog Facebook page. I will ask for your contact information at that time so that I may send instructions for placing your order. If I do not receive the information within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen.