THE OTHER SIDE OF SPECIAL: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom

By: Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime, and Carrie M. Holt

Published: 2023

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This may not be a typical book I would review here because it is NOT about TCKs. (But don’t stop reading. Read the next few sentences before you decide this book isn’t for you or someone you know.)

But it is on another topic you know is near and dear to my heart. Plus, you may know someone in your life or community that needs this book. So, here’s my review. 

The title is a little misleading as it says it is for the “Special Needs Mom.” It’s not just for them; I would include the dads, the grandparents, the older siblings, and anyone who works or cares for families that fit this description.  

The chapter titles are simply the best. Here’s a little snippet:  

• Loneliness to Connection 
• Grief to Hope 
• Guilt to Acceptance 
• Weariness to Rest 
• Fear to Trust 
• Disappointment to Gratitude 

Aren’t they just great titles? The other ones are just as great, too. The authors tell you in the intro that you do not have to read the book in a specific order. In fact, if you are feeling guilty, then just read that chapter. Each chapter is relatively short, so it doesn’t take that much time either. 

It is a Christian book, but it is not preachy. In fact, it feels like you are sitting with the three authors having a cup of coffee while they tell you that they understand what you are feeling. They share their stories of feeling guilty and coming to a place of acceptance (or whatever the chapter is on).  

Living overseas with families like mine is hard. There are not many, so the road can be lonely. Though people care, few understand how hard it really can be. I’m not saying that all days are hard – unless it’s just a season of complexity, and then it can be hard days. What I am saying is that this book feels like a friend. The authors have put words to the aches and joys I have felt over the past several years. 

And while that is all good, I think the most helpful part of the book is that at the end of every chapter, they have given space to process. There are 3-5 questions that make you slow down. Stop and mentally take in what you read and apply it to your life.