Down Is Up for Aaron Eagle: A Mother's Spiritual Journey With Down Syndrome - Hardcover

Noble, Vicki

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062507370 ISBN 13: 9780062507372

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1993

Synopsis

The mother of a child with Down syndrome describes her son's midwife-assisted birth, his back-to-nature upbringing, and her patient, positive, and spiritual approach to him and discusses amniocentesis, "special education," and a toxic environment.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews

A mother finds spiritual and personal growth in raising her Down's syndrome son. Fair warning: Those intolerant of New Age jargon or icons like crystals and Tarot cards will balk at Noble's recounting of life with Aaron Eagle, who's now eight. When she became pregnant at age 37, Noble and her husband moved from California to Arizona, to a town chosen by casting the I Ching and dowsing with a crystal over a road map. The author then commanded her baby to change position in her womb in order to facilitate a natural birth--and believes that he obeyed her. Calling herself a healer, she's against immunization, lets fever burn out evil humors, and substitutes garlic for antibiotics. But anyone with an open mind will find much that is moving here, including Noble's belief that children like Aaron Eagle--whom she compares to the sacred clown/blessed fool honored in many religions--represent a spiritually purer, egoless form of human being. Like many Down's children, Aaron is remarkably happy, loving, and sociable, enjoying singing and dancing for an audience, hugging, shaking hands with strangers, and making people laugh. With the help of his parents, now separated, and other understanding caretakers and teachers, he's maintained his amiability as he attends a regular school, plays golf, and entertains guests with his harmonica. Without minimizing the difficulties (Aaron Eagle still wasn't completely toilet trained by the time he turned eight), Noble focuses on what her son has taught her in the way of discipline, patience, the ability to enjoy quiet, and a connection with the sacred. But she may seriously underestimate the ability of less spiritually oriented parents to empathize with, nurture, and enjoy these un-verbal children. A worthy message--but likely to appeal mostly to citizens of the Age of Aquarius. (Twelve b&w photographs--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly

"I'd like to share with you what it's like living with Aaron Eagle, a modern boy with the chromosomal abnormality known as Down Syndrome," writes Noble, his mother, a shamanic healer, explorer of psychic faculties and author of Motherpeace . Aaron, now eight, was born when she was 37. Noble and her husband, who live in Berkeley, Calif., devoted themselves with enthusiasm and ingenuity to perceiving and nurturing their son's creative essence rather than focusing on his disability. Although Noble delves here into issues such as the radiation which may cause Down Syndrome, amniocentesis and special education, her book is more about the difficulties and rich rewards of rearing Aaron, the "shaman boy." Noble's attempt to communicate the spiritual beauty and worth of such a child will be inspiring for parents who are in search of a paradigm other than the pathological. Photos not seen by PW . Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0062507370
• ISBN 13: 9780062507372
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224