Synopses & Reviews
When Anne Ford, great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, learned that her four-year-old daughter Allegras “differences” were the result of severe learning disabilities, she faced a challenge that neither money nor position could ease. Desperate for answers, Anne sought out doctors, teachers, counselors, and oth- ers who could help her build a support network for herself and her daughter, while fighting the many common misconceptions and myths about learning disabilities.
Now, in this fiercely honest and compelling memoir, Anne tells her story, writing movingly of her feelings as the mother of a learning disabled child. “I grew to accept that life is filled with uncertainty and that answers to the most simple, yet profound, questions such as ‘What is wrong with my daughter? can be elusive. I learned to be self-reliant in ways I never had before. I learned that every spark of optimism and hope was something to be nurtured and treasured because sometimes they were the only comfort available. And I learned that worry had entered my life.”
In time, Anne Ford saw her daughter grow into a vibrant, loving, and independent adult with a passion for ice skating and a commitment to help other disabled children. Allegra Ford, now 32, lives independently and supported this books publication so “it could help other kids.” Annes experience led her to become a tireless activist on behalf of children and families faced with LD, including her service as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001, and the writing of this book with John-Richard Thompson, an award-winning playwright and novelist.
In addition to Annes personal story, Laughing Allegra includes four invaluable special sections:
- Answers to the most commonly asked questions about LD
- A resource guide on where to find help
- A discussion from a mothers perspective on the challenges of homework, money, relationships, the work- place, and planning as the LD child and parents age
- A section on “Siblings and Secrets,” new in this paperback edition, inspired by Annes conversations with readers during her hardcover book tour.
Review
This poignant intimate portrait opens an often-hidden world and illuminates many ways learning disabilities shape the lives of entire families. (Publishers Weekly)
Review
A painfully honest memoir...Anne Ford's devotion, not her money and prominence, made the difference for her learning disabled daughter. (Detroit Free-Press)
Review
Compelling...Strongly recommended. (Library Journal)
Review
A gift for all parents...An insightful guide through the challenges and rewards of parenting. (Tom Brokaw)
Review
"A gift for all parents…An insightful guide through the challenges and rewards of parenting." —Tom Brokaw
"A painfully honest memoir…Anne Ford's devotion, not her money and prominence, made the difference for her learning disabled daughter." —Detroit Free-Press
"An inspiring story that any parent with a 'special child' can relate to." —Barbara Walters
"Compelling…Strongly recommended." —Library Journal
"This poignant intimate portrait opens an often-hidden world and illuminates many ways learning disabilities shape the lives of entire families." —Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
When Anne Ford learned that her four-year-old daughter Allegra's "differences" were the result of severe learning disabilites, she faced a challenge that neither money nor position could ease. It was 1976, a time when there was limited information and resources available for parents confronted with this problem. Desperate for help and answers, Anne sought out doctors, schools, tutors, and summer camps for her daughter. In time, Anne saw her daughter grow into a vibrant, loving, and independent adult with a passion for ice skating and a commitment to help other children with disabilities. Now 30, Allegra lives on her own. In addition to her memoir, Anne Ford includes three special resource sections: answers to the most commonly asked questions about LD, where to find help, and a discussion on the challenges of homework, money, relationships, the workplace, and planning as the LD child and the parents age. A parent's advocacy book, "Laughing Allegra is for any parent who has a child with any disability.
Synopsis
First time in paperbackwith new material on denial and siblingsthis candid, inspiring memoir by the great-granddaughter of Henry Ford is "a gift for all parents...An insightful guide through the challenges and rewards of parenting."Tom Brokaw
When Anne Ford learned that her four-year-old daughter Allegra's "differences" were the result of severe learning disabilites, she faced a challenge that neither money nor position could ease. It was 1976, a time when there was limited information and resources available for parents confronted with this problem. Desperate for help and answers, Anne sought out doctors, schools, tutors, and summer camps for her daughter. In time, Anne saw her daughter grow into a vibrant, loving, and independent adult with a passion for ice skating and a commitment to help other children with disabilities. Now 30, Allegra lives on her own.
In addition to her memoir, Anne Ford includes three special resource sections: answers to the most commonly asked questions about LD, where to find help, and a discussion on the challenges of homework, money, relationships, the workplace, and planning as the LD child and the parents age. A parent's advocacy book, Laughing Allegra is for any parent who has a child with any disability.
AUTHORBIO Anne Ford was chairman of the board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989-2001. She continues to work closely with NCLD as a tireless advocate for those affected by LD. She lives in New York City. John-Richard Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist in New York City.
Synopsis
When Anne Ford, the great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, learned that her daughter Allegra's "differences" were the result of severe learning disabilities (LD), she faced a challenge that neither money nor position could ease. Desperate for answers, she sought out doctors, schools, and tutors for help. As she journeyed from denial to acceptance, Anne faced rejection, intolerance, disinterest, and puzzlement from friends, family, and professionals, eventually finding her way to the schools, people, and situations that enabled her to raise her family with hope and promise. She became an activist on behalf of children and families faced with LD, and in time, Anne saw her child grow into a vibrant, loving, independent adult with a passion for ice skating and a commitment to help other children with disabilities.
While Allegra's disabilities are unique (as with each LD child), the feelings of pain, frustration, shame, and guilt felt by Anne are shared to a varying degree by all parents of a child with LD. As Anne writes, "When Allegra was diagnosed, I needed information to explain her condition and what I could do to help her, but I also needed a guide to the heart…I needed to connect with someone who had been through it already and could offer words of comfort and the most simple reassuring statement a parent can hear: 'Your child will be fine.' I didn't have that, and that is my reason for writing this book, to enlighten parents and give them hope and help guide them on the oftentimes treacherous journey."
In addition to her personal story, Anne includes three invaluable special sections:
• Answers to the most commonly asked questions about LD
• A resource guide on where to find help
• A discussion from a mother's perspective on the challenges concerning homework, money, relationships, the workplace, getting around, and planning as the child with LD and the parents age.
As for Allegra's thoughts about her mom writing this book, the introduction conveys her message: "I think mom has done well…telling people out there that you CAN get help…I didn't want my life in a book at first [and] we talked it over and thought about it. If it helps other kids then we should do it and so I told my mom OK."
About the Author
Anne Ford is the author of the acclaimed memoir
Laughing Allegra about raising her severely learning disabled daughter,
On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, and
A Special Mother: Getting Through the Early Days of a Child's Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders. She served as Chairman of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001, and remains a committed advocate and frequent speaker on LD issues. The great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, she lives in New York City.
John-Richard Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist, who has collaborated with Anne Ford at NCLD and on her three books. He lives in New York City.