Let me start this post by saying that this is NOT the typical book I will review. Yes, there is an athlete who is a co-author of the book and yes, he does talk a little about his career in football. But that is about it for any sports connection. However, the story shared here by Curt Warner and his wife Ana is a must read - a powerful story about their lives raising twin boys with autism. Here is my review of "The Warner Boys"
Title/Author:
“The Warner Boys: Our Family’s
Story of Autism and Hope” by Ana and Curt Warner with Dave Boling
Tags:
Family,
Autism, Memoir, Football (American), Seahawks
Publish
date:
December
1, 2018
Length:
193 pages
Rating:
5 of 5
stars (outstanding)
Review:
Curt Warner was an All-Pro running back for the
Seattle Seahawks after enjoying an outstanding college football career at Penn
State. He met and married a striking
woman from Brazil, Ana and after their first son, Jonathan, was born, it seemed
like they would be able to live a comfortable life as Curt was smart with his
money while he was a professional athlete.
However, all that changed when their twin sons,
Austin and Christian, were born. Early in their lives, it was apparent that
something was different about the twins and they were diagnosed with autistic
spectrum disorder. Of course, this profoundly
changed the dynamic of the Warner family and their story is told in this
unforgettable memoir co-written by Curt and Ana.
The book covers so many different aspects and
topics. Not only about the Warner’s life trying to raise two boys with autism
and all of the challenges that encompasses, but they also talk about their own
feelings, their own actions and there is even a chapter in which Jonathan talks
about his struggles, especially when he was a teenager and he would not have friends
come over to his house for fear of not only embarrassment, but also for the
protection of his brothers.
There are many different events that run the gamut
of emotions for the Warners. The hopes and disappointments when treatment
options don’t work. The never-ending vigilance they exhibit to ensure that
neither boy harms himself or others when they express themselves in ways such
as biting or hitting their heads against objects. The fear and subsequent relief
when their house was destroyed by a fire set by Austin trying to reenact a
scene from a Disney movie. The adoption of a little girl, Isabella, in the middle
of all this and her immediate taking to her older brothers (all three of them).
The pride of seeing Austin and Christian graduate from high school. This is only a small sample of the events
that are described by the Warners that had to be difficult for them to say, but
felt that they had to share.
Words in a review cannot do justice to describe the
feelings one will have when reading this book.
It is both sad and happy. It is
both hard to read and very uplifting. The
best description of what this book is truly about was written by Curt – “When
we tell them about the things that have given us strength, some say that ours
isn’t an autism story – it’s a love story.”
That sums up what I took away from this book – it is truly a story of
love. Anyone who has family members who are autistic, or anyone who wants to learn
more about what it is like to live with loved ones suffering from this disease
needs to read this book.
Book Format
Read:
E-book (Kindle)
Buying Links:
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