Kathleen to Maddi- Out of my Mind

Hey Maddi! So I have started reading Out of my Mind and went back to read the blogs you wrote about the book. I am having a lot of the same thoughts as you did and also finding some similarities between Out of my Mind and Counting by 7s!

Seeing the mind of a girl with cerebral palsy is very unique and fascinating to me because I have never had this insight before. It disheartens me that she is so intelligent, caring, and forward in her thinking yet cannot express herself. It’s a shame that we lose the insight these individuals have because they cannot express themselves.

I just started the book and so far I have just seen the passion her parents have for her and the way her classroom in school in run. It’s quite a large contrast. It made me sad that she loves and cherishes her parents so much and she can’t show them the way she wants. Luckily they see the spark in her that no one else does and they can feel the way she cares for them.

Her classrooms reminded me of the struggles my cousin has in school. He has Autism and has had so many struggles finding a classroom that supports and acknowledges his unique special needs. He has changed schools a lot, never really finding the continuity of friends and environment in school that I took advantage of. Her teachers seem to care about the students in the book but it’s sad that they are all treated and taught the same thing when they are all on different levels in their learning styles.

Let me know how you’re liking Counting by 7s and I’ll keep you updated with the rest of my thoughts on the reading :)