A Sussex father’s book on raising children with learning difficulties has soared to a Number 1 position on Amazon, the world’s biggest selling bookshop.
John Sichel wrote Of Course You Can to help inspire and educate parents who find themselves in a similar position to his family.
The Felpham writer said: “The book is about our son who, at the age of 2½, was diagnosed with learning difficulties.
“Readers will follow his progress and about the family and friend’s reacton to his handicap. But most of all about a long, demanding and challenging experience for us, his parents, as well as for his siblings who, like children generally, are quick to accept behaviour different from their own.
“ The message of the book is partly to parents: you know your child better than anybody else, so `stick to your guns’.
“However, there’s also a message to carers, doctors and other `experts´: Listen to the parents.”
John’s decision to write the book was supported by Fran Castle, Director of Headway Arts/Seven Stars Learning Disabled Theatre Company.
She said: “It is often the case that parents of a child with a learning disability will focus on the achievements of the child, only intermittently stopping to celebrate their own achievements in raising that child. Creating a safe and supportive environment where a child with learning disabilities can feel not only loved, but valued, respected, able to make their own choices and decisions and reach their potential, is a great achievement and John Sichel and his family should be proud to have accomplished this.
“We all face challenges in life but it is how we deal with those challenges that make the difference. John and his family stood by what they believed was best for their son Robin and in doing so nurtured an independent, strong willed and confident human being.
“In writing this book John will help many other families who are faced with having a child who is considered different to others. There will be similarities and parallels to other children and other families, but John Sichel’s book helps us recognise that all children are unique individuals, some more unique than others, but all with a valuable contribution to make.”
John’s book is available on Amazon now in both paperback and Kindle formats.
It was the Kindle version that became number one on Amazon wthin the Education (Special Needs) section in November.
