Eye Can Write: A memoir of a child's silent soul emerging

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Following my lead, we slow-waltzed around the board, synchronised to the music of the word in my head. However, there is a sense of admiration and wonder as you read through Jonathan's tale, realising the extent to which one) we take communication for granted and two) the depths in which an individual will take to be able to communicate efficiently. As a priest, it’s a great mistake to think that you can model Christian discipleship by having it outwardly all sorted. I am not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without my permission. In this chapter, Jonathan’s world is expanding through a 500-word story for BBC Radio 2, the writing of poetry, and holidays, along with the inevitable frustrations and setbacks.

I remember him describing in one article how, during the long locked-in years, he spent time praying. My 10 year old granddaughter has just read it and has responded to what she read; it's easy enough for her to read yet with a profound and momentous message which all can understand. A magical part of the book is Jonathan meeting his inspiration author Michael Morpugo – this brings home how far Jonathan has come in a few years and his determination with his cause and writing.Jonathan] was determined and set about writing his book himself – one letter at a time – astonishing me and everyone else at Bonnier Publishing in the process.

The book starts with Chantal (mum) giving her account of pregnancy and the car accident they had at eight months pregnant. Read more about the condition New: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. Most recently Michael asked to check a short thought I was to share at a carol service – thankfully he told me not to change it, as his feedback arrived the morning after the event! By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.

The difference between what was achieved during his home schooling and at special school demonstrate the folly of ‘universal’ assessment tools and the need to avoid labels wherever possible. He was locked inside his own mind, aware of the outside world but unable to fully communicate with it, until he found a way by using his eyes to laboriously choose individual letters, and through this make his thoughts known. Every time my son had a big upheaval in his health, spent any time away from school, or in hospital, it meant/means retracing his steps, re-learning some simple skills and re-building all the securities that are lost. Painstakingly slow progress in communicating with the outside world was dotted with little victories, with little joys that made carrying on worthwhile. My thinking about suffering and the way that God is able to transform difficult situations is something that was, maybe, a bit of a theory, and it has become something which is much more personal — and I suppose I can speak from within that experience, as well.

I found some of the religious rhetoric a little uncomfortable, but I can appreciate that this accurately reflects the author’s views, if not my own. It is in turn a beautiful story of victory and championing by Jonathan, at the same time as a heartbreaking reflection on an education system which doesn't always take the time to really see and unlock the potential of many children who already have so much stacked against them. It brought back far too many unhappy memories of another bright boy whose education was severely compromised because expectations about his ability were set far too low. The motivation of his mother to adapt the national curriculum and the volunteer teacher who helped in his lessons coupled with Jonathan’s own intelligence enabled him to find his voice. And even Bear Grylls has commented: "Jonathan's story is such a powerful one - and light, love, and compassion shine from everything he does.

The preceding two paragraphs form part of the dust cover’s introduction to the book and set the scene for the emotionally-charged narrative that follows. but there is also, I cannot lie, a hint of underlying jealousy - that I'm hoping will spur me on to seek out and to challenge what indeed resides inside my own son's head. Then there came the amazing breakthrough at counting and the huge impact that made upon the family as they discovered that Jonathan had abilities that had previously been hidden from view. In the days after Jonathan’s birth, and for the first time in her life, Mrs Bryan prayed until she was “spent”, joined by others over the country — strangers, in many instances. She always thought of others before herself and for my childhood always had her red suitcase packed and ready to come and help.