Glenda W. Prins - Lessons from Katherine

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR LESSONS FROM KATHERINE

Lessons from Katherine is a must-read for professionals who take care of children with disabilities, so that they might appreciate how their words and actions can both build up and tear down parents who are facing these challenges. Likewise it is a book that will help all who want to know how to reach out to family or friends who are parenting a child with disabilities and those parents who are riding the rollercoaster themselves.
Dr. Margaret McBride MD
Clinical Neurophysiologist, Akron Childrens Hospital - Akron, OH

One of the gifts of this very personal and vulnerable book from clergywoman and parent, Glenda Prins, is that the lessons learned come both from the pain and struggle of raising a young girl with multiple disabilities and from the transforming moments where an unexpected phrase, insight, symbol or experience lead to revelations of strengths, love, and the presence of God. Many readers, especially parents, will say I have been there and others, like clergy and professionals, will be able to use the book to say, Let me be there more care-fully in the future.
The Rev. William Gaventa M.Div.
Director of Community and Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Associate Professor, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick NJ

This is an extraordinary book. At times joyous about the author s beautiful child, Katherine, and at times achingly sad about the childs disability which changes all their lives. There are no easy platitudes here about blessing God for giving them this chance to nurture their child. Their struggles will stay with the reader long after the last page.
Margrett McFadden
Retired Chairperson of Penfield School Libraries, Penfield, New York

Written with soul-depth feelings and refreshing honesty, Lessons from Katherine conveys to the reader the challenges, pain, and unique joys inherent in parenting a child who contends with major disability. Insights into working together within a marriage, the role of professionals, the support of people who care for us, and the struggles of reconciling our faith with reality, even within the heart of a pastor are provided. But more than anything, this book carries us into the realm of unconditional love.
Lawrence Nazarian MD
Pediatrician (retired) Rochester, NY

This is a story about one familys incredible life journey. How they came to terms with their adopted childs disability; and the affect it had on their lives as husband and wife. Their hope and determination to make their situation work, as well as their resilience in the face of so many obstacles made it possible for them to effectively achieve their goals.
Susan Gornall
Member, Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, Fairport, NY

Lessons from Katherine is both compelling and illuminating. Its stories and reflections make for gripping reading, while laying bare the needs of families raising children with disabilities and the strategies that help them navigate this most difficult challenge. Parents will see in these pages a reflection of their own dreams and struggles. Pastors and counselors will gain insight into what helps and what hinders the full participation of disabled persons and those who care for them. A must-read for anyone who seeks to build whole, healthy, inclusive families and communities!
The Rev. Martha Koenig Stone
Associate Pastor, Henrietta United Church of Christ, Henrietta, NY

As I read Lessons from Katherine , I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired. As a professional who works with individuals with disabilities, I had a personal connection with Katherine and her family. Glenda Prins did not keep anything back when writing this. I recommend reading Lessons from Katherine . If you have a family member with a disability, or you support a person with disabilities, this book will put a new light and deep understanding on your work.
Lindsey Wollschleger
Manager, Jennifer Lane Group Home, Heritage Christian Services, Inc., Rochester, NY

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lessons from Katherine , and could hardly put it down as the story unfolded and the emotions drew me in. The feelings portrayed were genuine and from the heart, a story of Gods grace in the midst of disappointment and struggle. The love that Katherines family came to experience because of this special childs life is a testimony to us all.
Gail Elenbaas
Director, Coffee Break Ministries Dearborn, Michigan

This courageous, clearly written book challenges us to think how we love, how we survive, how we keep the faith. The author tells us how one family member or circumstance affects everyone for generations. Thank you for daring to share.
Martha Tollers
LMSW, Family Therapist (retired) , Rochester, NY

Lessons from Katherine

Spiritual Struggles Series

Glenda W. Prins

Winchester, UK
Washington, USA

First published by Circle Books, 2013

Circle Books is an imprint of John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK

office1@jhpbooks.net
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
www.circle-books.com

For distributor details and how to order please visit the Ordering section on our website.

Text copyright: Glenda W. Prins 2012

ISBN: 978 1 78099 451 2

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publishers.

The rights of Glenda W. Prins as author have been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Design: Stuart Davies

Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY

We operate a distinctive and ethical publishing philosophy in all areas of our business, from our global network of authors to production and worldwide distribution.

DEDICATION

In Memoriam

Katherine Wierenga Prins

December 23, 1977 September 14, 2010

it was all for Loves sake

CONTENTS

Authors note: Some names have been changed.

Yes, within that broken child, a light is shining.

Jean Vanier

Chapter One

Early Days

I entered our apartment, ebullient. It was a delicious spring day in Ann Arbor: the air streaked with sunlight, buds making their appearance, Frisbees flying, and spirits soaring. But I was happy for a different reason: Id just returned from a visit to the University of Michigan Health Service where Id taken a pregnancy test. This was before the days of the immediate response home tests. In 1972, we still had to wait at least 24 hours for the rabbit to do whatever he was going to do.

The whole pregnancy thing was mostly carelessness on our part, nothing we had planned, but it didnt matter. Tom, my husband, and I began singing jingles to each other about the baby on its way, as we danced around our apartment.

At the Health Service, I had been reserved, certain that the healthcare practitioners would see how foolhardy this possibility would be. Tom was in graduate school; I was working for a pittance at a dead-end job. But despite the difficulty a pregnancy would present to us, we were happy. Becoming parents might be a challenge at ages 22 and 23, with no immediate, solid job prospects, and an unfinished graduate degree, but both of us knew we wanted children. It was just part of the deal. We hadnt planned for our family; the expectation that we would have a family was simply a part of the background noise of our marriage. So we floated around our little apartment that night, feeling silly, giddy with delight that we were going to have a baby!